discounted somewhat because of two facts: First, that many of
the Japanese have had a high school training in Japan, which
usually includes a rudimentary knowledge of English grammar,
and hence is a great aid in learning to use English; and second,
that many Japanese have come to the continental United States
by way of the Hawaiian Islands and Canada, where they have
had some contact with English-speaking people. None of the
other races have had these advantages before immigration. The
differences between the Japanese and some of the other races with
regard to the learning of English are so great, however, as to
justify the statement that the Japanese have acquired the use of
the English language more quickly and more eagerly than the
Chinese, the Mexicans and some of the European races.” ?

It may be also added as another channel for assimilation, what
the Japanese read apart from Japanese publications. “The
American publications subscribed for are largely local daily
newspapers of the community in or near which the subscribers
live. However, a number of households (in most cases those of
the urban Japanese) subscribe for weekly or monthly magazines
printed in English. Among these are the Literary Digest, the
Independent, the Outlook, the Review of Reviews, the Pacific
Monthly, and Collier’s Weekly.” *

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

The Japanese as a race are sensitive to their environment, and
possess a natural faculty for assimilation. Moreover, they are
anxious to exercise it. But there are two obstacles in their way:
They cannot become citizens of this country because of their race,
and they cannot marry white persons because of the law of Cali-
fornia. Contrary to the belief of many, these are not insurmount-
able. Many who are familiar with the “Japanese problem” favor
removing both of these legal barriers. Dr. Jordan says, “An in-
direct exclusion act, as of races not eligible for citizenship, is more
humiliating than a direct act would be. It implies that the
Japanese cannot read between the lines. Exclusion from citizen-

1 Immigration Commission, Reports, Vol. 23, p. 158.
2 Ibid., p. 159.

49