understandings and in more strained relations because of its lack of frankness and sincerity.

The fact that the fundamental point at issue is a problem of race need not make us despair of finding C a satisfactory way out. Race prejudice is not so deeply rooted that it cannot be eradicated. It is largely a superficial matter and tends to break down with constant association. In so far as our antipathy to the Japanese is based upon their strangeness and their lack of conformity to our western type, it will gradually disappear as the two races become more familiar with each other. Even now the peculiar physiognomy of the Japanese is not repulsive to us. It arouses prejudice largely because it stands as a symbol of the Orient, continually reminding us of the gulf between the two

races.

While all this tends to break down in time, under favorable conditions, we must not forget that a satisfactory solution will not follow necessarily as a matter of course. When strong prejudice exists against such a clever and ambitious people as the Japanese, there is a real danger that the final result will not be assimilation, but mere adaptation. Instead of becoming a real part of all our varied activities, they may be driven into a separate group that is compelled to maintain itself by feeding upon rather than furthering the interests of the American community. They will never occupy the subordinate position we assign to the Negroes and be content to do the drudgery expected of inferiors. Their reaction to segregation will more

likely be similar to that of the Jews, who, in spite of their many excellent qualities, have tended to make a place for themselves in the European countries where prejudice against them was strongest by taking advantage of the moral weakness and disorganization of the people among whom they lived. A clever people like the Japanese will make a place for themselves in America in spite of all obstacles. Just what will be the nature of the place that our race prejudice will compel them to occupy is worthy of serious consideration.

This suggests the importance of a strict limitation of the problem by bringing about the mingling of the people of the East and the West only under circumstances most favorable to a proper appreciation of each other's essential character. In order to bring this about, patience as well as mutual forbearance is necessary. The Japanese must see the wisdom of permitting only the best representatives of their race to come to America. We Americans, on our part, must rise above our petty provincialism which makes us unwilling to recognize true worth in men of different race. It is too much to expect that either nation will suddenly make such a radical change in its attitude. The best that we can hope is that wise statesmanship will guide the policies of the two countries while necessary adjustments are being made in their international relations. Race problems admit of no categorical solution by the fiat of the legislator or by the exhortations of peace advocates, for they gain their strength from

slow-moving and powerful forces that have made possible the development of race solidarity. The American-Japanese problem must be worked out by a gradual process which it may take generations in order to make complete.

In the meantime nothing is more fraught with peril than the continuance of our present half-hearted and irresolute policy toward the Far East. We are so obsessed with our feelings of self-sufficiency and superiority that we fail to appreciate the real significance of the oriental problem. We seem to lose sight of the fact that the few thousand Orientals in our country are but the vanguard of many millions in Asia who are eagerly awaiting the chance to cross the Pacific. The movement is one that it will be difficult to repress, because the motive force behind it is economic-the struggle for existence under conditions that are too hard to be borne.

From the standpoint of Asia the problem is of vital importance. It is the outward thrust of a surplus population seeking a better place for itself in the world. When this oriental horde reaches America it is inevitable that the situation should be further complicated by the factor of racial conflict. The Orientals face here a different civilization, and cannot be readily assimilated because of differences of race. The increased economic competition and their lower standards of living intensify the racial animosities and make more remote the possibility of a satisfactory solution.

For two generations a few thousand Chinese have

! been living among us, and hardly a step has been made toward their assimilation. After twenty-five years' contact with such an adaptable people as the Japanese, we find them still forced to live in segregation, deprived of the best opportunities for success in our industrial life. In spite of this, the Japanese insist upon their right to enter America. Back of their insistence is the pressure of economic necessity, which is being increasingly felt throughout the whole Orient. To the significance of this situation we remain blindly indifferent. Our present temporizing policy, together with our lack of military preparedness, is earning for us the contempt of the Far East, and may help to precipitate the conflict we are trying to avoid.

CHAPTER XI

THE WORLD SIGNIFICANCE OF WAKING ASIA

HAT Japan has now to do is to keep perfectly quiet,

WHAT

to lull the suspicions that have arisen against her, and to wait, meanwhile strengthening the foundations of her national power, watching and waiting for the opportunity which must one day surely come in the Orient. When that day arrives, she will be able to follow her own course; not only able to put meddling Powers in their places, but even, as necessity arises, to meddle with the affairs of other Powers. Then truly she will be able to reap advantage for herself.-Count Hayashi.

We have no choice, we people of the United States, as to whether or not we shall play a great part in the world. That has been determined for us by fate, by the march of events. We have to play that part. All that we can decide is whether we shall play it well or ill.-Roosevelt.

As students of the West we are vitally concerned with the awakening of half our world. Whether we will or not the East is upon us. For good or evil, Asia is at our door. We must help to solve the problem we have done so much to create, and for the solution of which we hold the key. Sherwood Eddy.

That Asia is awake and is becoming increasingly conscious of its strength is a fact that can no longer be ignored. For many years the West has found it very convenient and quite to its own interest to regard