A-NXIETY IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1922, Page 4

A-NXIETY IN AMERICA

J APANESE COLOXISAT.ION

AN ARTFUL SCHEME: THE KAN- » KORAN BRIDES.

EMIGR ATI ON SU BTERFUG E

■SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10. . flie drama of Japanese colonisation j in America proceeds despite the hick- j orings and .by-p.lays of the “gentlemen’s j agreement,” and the opening of the , New Year has unfolded a renewed vista j of opportunity, for the little brown people of the Mikado’s isles to populate the American shores of the Pacific. Britishers arc already aware of the | notorious “picture bride” arrangement whereby the marriageable maids of Japan sent their photographs to the' United States, and some lovesick Japanese worker on the Pacific toast made his selection and then communicated with tine bride-elect, who forthwith journeyed over the Pacific Ocean to 1 San Francisco, there to lie met l>v the: eager bridegroom, and a marriage on-' sued. It was claimed that this was: simply a subterfuge by which Japan sent her women to California to gainentry into the United States ami thereto Japanese the Western American ter-; ritorv, as the resultant population was enabled to obtain votes as “native sons” —or daughters—of the Golden West, where the Japanese already dominate several lines of industry. When this wholesale influx o! Japanese was believed to have been checked under the “gentlemen’s agreement,” it was thought the problem had been settled once and for all, but to-day the “kankodan bride” is enthroned almost as highly as was her twin sister, the “picture bride,” a year ago. Statistics presented in San Francisco show that during the year 1921. 1283 Japanese married women were admitted for the first time to the United States through the port of San Francisco alone. .Most of them were lKewly married ; wedded to domiciled Japanese who returned to their native land in “knnkodans,” or pleasure tours. They are the “kankodan brides.” BROUGHT FROM JAPAN. In cold figures, and without comment, this startling state of affairs will Wc disclosed tci the Federal Government at Washington in the annual report of Commissioner of Immigration Edward White, of Sail Francisco. The totals, taken from the Government records at the immigration stai iwn on Angel Island, San Francisco, have just been made public by Commissioner White, and they have caused some surprise throughout California, which is said by some to he in danger of liecoming a Japanese colony, similar to tin? Hawaiian Islands.

Just how many of these 1213 married women were brides of a few weeks no one knows. The immigration authorities have not been instructed, and therefore are not permitted to delve into this phase of the evasion of the “gentlemen’s agreement.” That the percentage is -high is a known fact, however. “What I might say as a private citizen, and what I am permitted to say officially, are two different matters,” said Commissioner White. “1 will say Ihe " -nly difference between the present system and the ‘picture bride’ arrangement is that now the men go lmek to Japan and get their women, whereas formerly the women could come to the men. Of course, this procedure costs more, and consequently there is some reduction in the number of Japanese brides entering the United States. However, they are the same women—foredoomed to a life of labour in tire fields.” On an estimated’ basis that 22(H); “picture brides” formerly entered the: port of San Francisco in an average i year, the influx of “kankodan brides”: is somewhat more than hall that of the former arrangement. MEN ENTER BY FRAUD.

Thus the importation of female Japanese for the propaganda ol the race in America, or most important in the Nipponese programme, continues on a substantial scale. As for the men, hundreds of them arc gaining admittance yearly through misrepresentation of their economic status in life, according to immigration authorities. These officials, who, like Commissioner White, cannot commit themselves officially, say that scores of Japanese males are certified as merchants by the Japanese? Government and admitted to the Uni tod States as .such. In actual station in life, they range from filters of the field who own a few farm inplemcnts, and street peddlers who own push-carts, up to genuine business men entering the States for legitimate enterprises. The question of personal funds is inapplicable, for within a few hours other Japanese will raise thousands of dollars for any of their race who may he detained on the ground that he is a paupor. SIGNIFICANT FTG URES.

Commissioner White’s report will f.liow that the influx of Japanese women reached its highest stage during March and April, when IK! and 182 women, respectively, were admitted. This, it is said, is due to the fact that the great annual exodus of Japanese is in October, November, and December. In October (178 Japanese, ini hiding men, women, and children, departed from San Francisco; in November 117-1 ! and in December, 7(15. The unmarried men in these “kankodans,” numbering probably one-fourth or onefifth, will return in the spring with their brides. The total number of Japanese women arriving during 1912, by months, follows January, 84; February, 78 ; March, 146; April, 782: May, 121; June, 97; July, 124; Aug-| list, 57; September, 101; October 114; j November, 76; and December 104. The total number of Japanese departing

from San Francisco during the year was 6485. ! The present agreement with Japan , permits domiciled Japanese to bring their . wives into the .United States, Commissioner White said. There is no provision against their marrying - omen and bringing them into the United States without delay. ; Through this loophole the “kanko- j dan ,bride” system has grown up. The . wives are chosen, as the “picture j brides” were, by the families of the contracting parties and matrimonial

agents. In all probability tbe bride jami bridegroom have never seen each , oilier before. During the short stay of the “kankodans” or excursions in Japan the men are introduted to their brides and the ceremonies are performed without delay. Then the couple sail for the United States as domiciled husband and wife.