The Verdict of Public Opinion on the Japanese-American Question
1921. What the author has done with this book is to sample public opinion across the United States about the Japanese. He divides the work into sections based on the part of the U.S. that he covers, and then includes the opinions from a variety of people. It's obvious that the author is anti-Japanese. It's also interesting to note how many college presidents were against the Japanese at the time.
The introduction.
A further comment of his.
New England States
Each section has its own short introduction.
Figuring out where people stand on the issue of Japanese immigrants and exclusion laws isn't as easy at it might seem. A lot of these people seem to be politicians, trying to be as vague as they can be in their answers.
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This person is hard to figure. He notes that keeping friendly relations is important, yet he does not state anything about his own personal opinion about the Japanese or their immigration.
Now here is an answer from a politician in a true pass-the-buck fashion.
Now here is a more honest politician. He admits he's not really that close to the problem. He is, however, against total exclusion of the Orientals.
This person is anti-Japanese.
North Atlantic States
The introduction to this section.
A Columbia law professor says we need to stop Orientals from immigrating.
The president of the Smithsonian Institution is more concerned about Russia than he is about Japan.
A minister has a really good reply.
A editor of a Democratic newspaper does not care for the anti-Japanese movement.
The editor of a different paper has a totally different view.
The mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is definitely anti-Japanese, holding that the Oriental and the Caucasian races cannot successfully mix.
A college president is anti-Japanese and also doesn't think the two races should mix.
Another newspaper person against Japanese immigration.
The president of another college who is anti-Japanese.
Another anti-Japanese newspaper editor.
The managing editor of another paper, and another who is anti-Japanese.
Notice that this person uses the term “infested” in relation to the Japanese, thus comparing them to insects. He also uses the term “infiltration,” as if the Japanese are infiltrating the country with one single common purpose.
Another editor, another anti-Japanese person.
Another college president, this time comparing the black “problem” with the Oriental “problem.”
Another anti-Japanese college president.
Southeastern States
The introduction to the section.
A college president that thinks some Orientals should be allowed in.
One of a number of people in various sections that believed the U.S. and Japan would eventually go to war.
A senator that has some strong views on the subject.
Another college president that is also anti-Japanese, and probably anti-black.
Southwestern States
Introduction to the section
Another anti-Japanese college president.
Another comparison of the Japanese and black “problems.”
A reference to the “white man's civilization.”
Another black problem = Japanese problem believer.
The Governor of Mississippi weighs in against the Japanese.
The Governor of Tennessee, anti-Japanese.
The Middle States
The introduction to this section.
The Governor of Wisconsin.
A Wisconsin Senator.
The mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A college president who holds a different, and very sensible, viewpoint.
A Cincinnati writer thinks we can use the laborers.
Western States
The introduction to this section.
President of the University of Nevada.
An excellent examination of the matter.
This person likes the Chinese.
The Sacramento Bee was one of the leading anti-Japanese newspapers.
The Governor of Utah.
The Governor of New Mexico.
The Governor of Alaska.
The Governor of California.
Main Index
Japan main page
Japanese-American Internment Camps index page
Japan and World War II index page
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