THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1907. JAPANESE IMMIGRATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9009, 19 December 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1907. JAPANESE IMMIGRATION.

There is one assumption, says the "London Times," common in American newspapers, against which it may be as well to utter at once a word of protest. It is that the position of Great Britain and of the United States in regard te Japanese immigration is the same. England, we are told, is regarded in America as a "partner" with the United States, and it is argued that the settlement of the immigration problem ought not to be beyond the "power of Anglo-American" diplomacy. We cannot for a moment admit the correctness of this supposition. There are, no doubt, certain features in the immigration question, as it presents itself in Vancouver and as it presents itself at San Francisco, which are identical. But there are also many features in the wider aspects of the question which are entirely different, and which render all talk about England and America being "in the same boat," quite misleading. We must remind those who make this assumption that the Japanese are the allies of this country, to whom, for reasons of great and enduring importance, she has bound herself by solemn treaty. That consideration alone should convince all men of common sense that in this matter we are not, and cannot be, in the same position as the Americans.

We believe that the questions between the United States and Japan will be amicably and satisfactorily solved, not because of, but in spitj» of, the despatch of the Pacific fleet'. But, if anything could impede or retard the solution, it would be the dangerous assumption, which seems to underlie much of the writing and speaking on the subject in America, that Japan would agree to stop immigration a* a matter of course, if America and England called upon her to do so. The Japanese Government, we are confident, will exhibit their ordinary good sense, and calm reason in handling an admittedly difficult problem. But they are the representatives of a sirgu'arly highspirited"" and chivalrous nation, who cherish a very hig'h sense of their own dignity. The worst way in the world to obtain concessions from such a race is to approach them in t'.io tactless fashion which finds favour with a portion of the American press.