properly instituted will no doubt have a far-reaching influence
in Americanizing Japanese immigrants.

Though Japanese are racially ineligible for membership in
practically all of the American Orders, they are well organized
among themselves. The most important of all the Japanese or-
ganizations is the Japanese Association of America, a sort of a
federation of the local Japanese Associations which now number
no less than fifty scattered all over the State. One of its chief
aims is “to promote a better understanding between Japanese
and Americans.” Then there is the Japanese Benevolent Society.
It was organized in 1910, with the object of making a more com-
plete provision for the care of sick, injured, or other unfortunate
Japanese. Unlike the case of European immigrants, the public
has done nothing for Japanese immigrants and exigencies have
caused them to organize themselves, perhaps on the principle,
“God will help those who help themselves.” But the fact that
they are well-organized is often made a ground of American
opposition to them, though “they have accomplished a great deal
of good,” * and have done nothing condemnable.

“With regard to criminal acts, the record of the Japanese im-
migrants is very good.” For example, in San Francisco from
1900 to 1907, less than 100 Japanese were reported among the
committments, a remarkably small number if the size of the
Japanese population of that city and the number of Greeks, Ital-
ians, and others committed are considered. Gambling is an evil
which is often to be found in the Japanese just as it is found in
‘other ‘camps’ where any large number of laborers live and work
together. In connection with the whole matter of law and order
it should be noted, however, that the general attitude of the white
people is that it is not important what the Asiatics do among
themselves, so long as violation of law or order does not en-
danger or inconvenience the members of other races.” 4

   
 
  
  

“The Japanese as a race are temperate. Though there is much
drinking at restaurants and in ‘camps,’ instances are rare in

2 Millis, Ibid., p. 249.
1 Immigration Commission, Reports, vol. 23, p. 165.

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