and bloody conquest of Korea impel that point of view from an
Anglo-Saxon. When, therefore, the Tokyo government says, in effect, to
us: 'For one hundred and forty-four years you have proclaimed to the
world that all men are equal. Very well. Accept us. We are a
world-power. We are on a basis of equality with you,' and we lack the
courage to repudiate this pernicious principle, we have tacitly
admitted their equality. That is, the country in general has, because
it knows nothing of the Japanese race--at least not enough for
moderately practical understanding of the biological and economic
issues involved. Indeed, for a long time, we Californians dwelt in the
same fool's paradise as the remainder of the states. Finally, members
of the Japanese race became so numerous and aggressive here that we
couldn't help noticing them. Then we began to study them, and now,
what we have learned amazes and frightens us, and we want the sister
states to know all that we have learned, in order that they may
cooperate with us. But, still, the Jap has us _tiron_ in other ways."

"Has us what?" Parker interrupted.

"_Tiron_. Spanish slang. I mean he has us where the hair is short;
we're hobbled."

"How?" Kay demanded.

His bright smile was triumphant.

"By shibboleths, of course. My friends, we're a race of sentimental
idiots, and the Japanese know this and capitalize it. We have
promulgated other fool shibboleths which we are too proud or too stupid
to repudiate. 'America, the refuge for all the oppressed of the
earth!' Ever hear that perfectly damnable shibboleth shouted by a
Fourth of July orator? 'America, the hope of the world!' What kind of
hope? Hope of freedom, social and political equality, equality of
opportunity? Nonsense! Hope of more money, shorter hours, and license
misnamed liberty; and when that hope has been fulfilled, back they go
to the countries that denied them all that we give. How many of them
feel, when they land at Ellis Island, that the ground whereon they
tread is holy, sanctified by the blood and tears of a handful of great,
brave souls who really had an ideal and died for it. Mighty few of the
cattle realize what that hope is, even in the second generation."

"I fear," quoth Parker, "that your army experience has embittered you."

"On the contrary, it has broadened and developed me. It has been a
liberal education, and it has strengthened my love for my country."

"Continue with