PBA Galleries

2 pp. TLs as the Publisher and Editor of the Japanese-American Commercial Weekly (“only Japanese Journal published, both in Japanese and English in the United States”). On company stationery.

Addressed to Columbia Professor of Mining Henry Smith Munroe, who had worked in Japan as a Geological consultant in the 1880s: “We cannot hand down to our future generation a mutilated romantic relation between Japan and the United States. What would be the best attitude for the people of the two nations, irrespective of the California incidents, in order to perpetuate the existing friendship. In behalf of peace and prosperity of the two countries, the Japanese-American Commercial Weekly requests you to give us your idea. Your response will be appreciated and treasured in our highest consideration.” Another reaction, like the preceding item, to the furor over the California Alien Land Law, which extended to the Japanese the racial prejudice long directed against the Chinese. Nakahara, apparently an unofficial representative of the Japanese Foreign Office, sent out this same letter to several prominent Americans (including novelist Jack London, who thought racial conflict to be like the “foolish quarrels” of “unruly” school boys.)