The Relation of Oriental Immigration to the General Immigration Problem

No part of the United States would be benefited more by a wise and satisfactory solution of the immigration problem than the Pacific Coast. Owing to its geographical position, its future growth and prosperity will depend largely upon the maintenance of friendly relations of the countries of the Orient. Moreover, the recent acquisition of the Philippine Islands has brought us into direct contact with the nations of the Far East and awakened their interest in, and directed their attention to, all matters affecting their relations to the United States. The recent industrial transformation of Japan and the successful assertion of her right to rank as a world power is enough to convince the most skeptical that the Orient is destined to play no unimportant part in the political and economic life of the future. The Western World has intruded upon the seclusion of the Chinese Empire, and its vast population is being awakened to the necessity of introducing the industrial civilization of the Occident. The full effects of this impending change in a country so densely populated and possessing natural resources so rich and varied, it may be difficult to foresee; but, that it will react in an important way upon the political and economic interests of the Western World, is beyond question.