white. I'll tell you what it is. It is the germ of the mightiest problem that ever faced this state; a problem that will make the black problem of the South look white." 1

In Writer's Opinion the Question of Little Importance. In spite of the strong feeling against intermarriage of white and Japanese, the writer is of the opinion that the question is of very little importance. Intermarriage is not essential to assimilation. Possibly it is not true, as Dr. Eliot maintains, that the Japanese tend strongly to retain the purity of their race. In fact, the writer is of the opinion that the Japanese have less of race antipathy than is exhibited by other races, and that Mr. Soyeda is right when after referring to cases of intermarriage between the Japanese and the Americans, he says there would be many more if it were not for the artificial and unjust restrictions placed by law and usage." 2 Some Japanese acquaintances have shown pride when commenting on instances of intermarriage in the West. Yet it is safe to say that only in the event that assimilation is fairly complete and the relations between the races considerably modified, will many intermarriages take place. Those which might then take place should present no particular problem. There are now about fifty instances in the

1

Quoted widely in the press and in Hichborn's Story of the California Legislature of 1913, p. 230. It has been used in numerous magazine articles.

2 Soyeda and Kamiya, A Survey of the Japanese Question in California, p. 9.

West where Japanese men have married American women, and, with few exceptions, the couples have lived happily. There are now several offspring, and in so far as the writer has had the opportunity to observe them, they are not deficient in any respect. In physical appearance an American is likely to regard them as decidedly Japanese. The Japanese, on the contrary, are likely to regard them as decidedly Caucasian. It is natural that each should see the variation from his own type. In non-biological respects they are American, for what they are until they grow up depends chiefly upon the mother. Of course, were the mother Japanese and the father American, the result would be different, but that is a combination that would seldom occur because of the great deficiency of immigrant females. So far as experience shows there is nothing inherently bad in race mixture, if it takes place under normal conditions, and neither race is generally regarded as inferior and the offspring therefore given inferior rank, as in the case of the negro. But if the races are not given approximately equal rank and harmonious relations established, Japanese-American marriages must continue to be of infrequent occurrence and the number of offspring few.

CHAPTER XI

SOME SUGGESTIONS CONSIDERED

THIS report may be concluded with a brief consideration of certain suggestions as to the policy which should be followed in dealing with the "Japanese Problem.”

Two Questions raised by the "Japanese Problem," One relating to the Admission of Immigrants, the Other to the Treatment accorded those Admitted. The "Japanese Problem," like the problem connected with all other immigration, raises two questions. The first of these relates to the admission of immigrants, the other to the treatment accorded those who secure admission lawfully. The second of these raises many points which might be profitably discussed. Only one of them, however, the question of naturalization, — can receive more than passing reference in this report. This final chapter, then, will be devoted especially to the questions of the admission and naturalization of Japanese.

Conclusions of the Immigration Commission as to Asiatic Immigration. — The Immigration Commission gave extended consideration to the problem of Asiatic immigration and arrived at definite conclusions as to the policy which should be followed in admitting eastern Asiatics to this country.

Becoming convinced that any considerable immigration of Asiatic laborers was undesirable, the Commission made the following recommendations:

"The general policy adopted by Congress in 1882 of excluding Chinese laborers should be continued. "The question of Japanese and Korean immigration should be permitted to stand without further legislation so long as the present method of restriction (through the agreement relating to passports) proves to be effective.

"An understanding should be reached with the British government whereby East Indian laborers would be effectively prevented from entering the United States." 1

Though the Agreement is Effective, the Question of Japanese Immigration always under Discussion. The administration of the Chinese exclusion law has been attended by great difficulties, but any suggestion that the general policy it represents should be departed from has received no serious consideration. The problem presented by the immigration of East Indians has been met for several years by a doubtful interpretation and drastic administration of the section of the general immigration law relating to persons likely to become public charges. The difficulties and uncertainty connected with this method of practical exclusion have caused various special measures designed to exclude East Indian laborers to receive favorable consideration from those connected with the im

1 Immigration Commission, Report, Vol. 1, p. 47.

migration service. Indeed, these officials have urged that some exclusion bill should be adopted.1 The agreement with the Japanese government with reference to Japanese immigration, on the other hand, has proved to be effective. As stated in the first chapter of this report, as a restrictive measure, it has been far more successful than the Chinese exclusion act. Its effectiveness was more than once commented upon by ex-Commissioner Keefe, and has been conceded by the present Commissioner General of Immigration. Yet the subject of Japanese immigration has been under constant discussion and many have urged that the agreement should be superseded by legislation. Some have sought to secure an extension of the Chinese exclusion law so as to apply to all Asiatic immigrants. On the other hand, some have advocated some method that would place Japanese immigrants upon the plane of those from other nations of the first class.

Exclusion Bills in Congress. For nine years Congress has had bills before it providing for the exclusion of all Asiatic laborers. The one most seriously considered at the recent session of Congress was the "Raker bill" (House Bill 102).

1

See, for example, the testimony given at the Hearings on Hindu Immigration before the Committee on Immigration, House of Representatives, Sixty-third Congress, second session (February and April, 1914).

2 At the Hearings on Hindu Immigration, April 16, 1914, in answer to a question by Congressman Gardner as to whether the agreement was working in a manner "substantially satisfactory,' Commissioner Caminetti answered, "I think so." (Hearings, Part 4, p. 137.)