The Japanese Question: A Sympodium (Classic Reprint)

By K. K, Kawakanii. Author of A merican-J apanese Relations, Asia at theD oor, etc. It is with great pleasure that we present in this issue of the Japanese American Daily News a symposium of views on A merican-J apanese relations, and more especially on the question, if question it may be called, of the Japanese in A merica. We take occasion to thank our American friends who have so promptly and generously responded to our request and favored us with statements which we believe are as frank as they are sincere. In writing the following introductory remarks it is not my intention to criticise or dispute the views expressed by our contributors. We presume, however, that our American friends and critics are just as desirous to know our views on the question as we are anxious to hear their opinion. We believe in free and unreserved exchange of views as a means of establishing mutual understanding. No question can be settled right without presenting both sides of the case before. the tribunal of public opinion. What I am going to say in the following few paragraphs, therefore, is simply to let our American friends know how we foel about the question, not to enter into any controversy with them. fnnn) rifi i and Xnfunilimfion. And now we come to our main contention. We shall say at once that in so far as we are able to see, the Japanese Government does not intend to force emigration upon the United States. In 1907 theM ikado sG overnment, in deference to the wish of, the American Government, signed the so-called gentlemens agreement restricting most strictly Japanese immigration to these shores. I have no hesitation in saying that Japan intends indefinitely to continue the gentlemens agreement. On this point I think that Mr. Jefferson Jones in his article, presented elsewhere in this issue, sets forth a view not only interesting but thought-provoking. What Japan i
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