ASIATIC RESTRICTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 14, 10 February 1909, Page 4

ASIATIC RESTRICTION.

THE "JAP" IX SAX FIIAXCISCO. Residents (if San Francisco are rubliinjr their eyes in surprise u t the. irresistible onward rush of the Japanese in that city. Directly after the memorable earthquake and the fire of April, 1000, business veered to tile magnificent boulevard known a» the Van Ness avenue. This was where the society dames did their shopping, bought Die latest of fashionable c.ieations, and hundreds of great stores did a great business until a few ino:iths ago, when the. American business linns slowly returned to Market Street—the city's principal thoroughfare. Slowly the Japanese had been getting in the thin end of the wedgcin the business world. Now they have captured Van Ness, and have taken long leases of many of the lug business premises. Fillmore Street, the general business contra of the pity, is now unable to resist the onslaughts of the Japanese merchants. During the month of December twenty or thirty large shops have, been leased by the Orientals. Now a most remarkable development lias occurred. San Franciseo is noted for its "niekloodeons." which are small theatres, seating 200 persons, who witness "moving picture' exhibitions for a nickel (S'/jd) entrance. In these nickelodeons feeling against the Japanese is always strong. Disgusted at Mich treatment a Japanese syndicate, composed of prominent Japanese citizens of San Francisco, has been organised for the purpose of erecting a model theatre, where the best of Japanese, plays will be produced. It will be a magnificent structure, situated on the borders of the Oriental (Chinese) quarter of the citv, aad will cost; over tUO.OUO. The seating of the inside will be so arranged thai, a complete view of the. stage may be had from any seat, in the auditorium. Frescoes illustrating epochs of the Japanese drama, from its origin to the great Doniluro, will form some of the decorations. It will be the finest theatre in San Francisco. Here the Japanese can lake their pleasure free from American jibes.—San Francisco correspondent of the London Evening Standard.