RACE PREJUDICE IN THE ORIENT.
Race Prejudice: An address by Melville E. Stone to the Quill Club, New York City.
The best review of this remarkable little pamphlet will be a few extracts from its pages:
What is to be the outcome? What does all this mean for the future of the world? Let us view the problem from the political, the commercial and the moral aspects. How long will the 6,000 soldiers we have in the Philippines be able to keep our flag afloat among 8,000,000 of natives? How long will the 75,000 English soldiers in India be able to maintain British sovereignty over 300,000,000 of Asians? Believe me, these are not idle questions. They are up to us for an answer, whether we will or no, and upon our ability to make answer will depend the future of what we are pleased to call our Western civilization. I would not be an alarmist, and yet I would have you feel that Macauley’s suggestion of the New Zealander on a broken arch of London Bridge, sketching the ruins of St. Paul, has come to be more than an extravagant figure of speech. And I am convinced that there is real danger awaiting us unless we mend our ways. It is not the Asian who needs educating; it is the European. I am not worrying half so much about the heathen in his blindness as I am about the Christian in his blindness. Asia is awake and preparing for the coming struggle. And we are doing very much to force the issue and to prepare her for the contest. For a century we have been sending at enormous cost our missionaries to all parts of the hemisphere to civilize. There may be doubt as to the amount of proselyting we have been able to accomplish; there can be no possible doubt of the work we have done to strengthen the Asian people politically and commercially.
We shall never meet the problems growing out of our relation with the Far East unless we absolutely and once for all put away race prejudice. I believe the European snob in Asia is distinctly the enemy of the civilized West. And his coadjutor in this country is a fitting criminal yoke-fellow. Let me give you some illustrations of what I mean—cases which came under my personal observation. From Bombay to Yokohama there is not a social club at any port or treaty point where a native, whatever his culture or refinement, will be admitted. At the Bengal Club at Calcutta last year a member in perfectly good standing innocently invited an Eurasian gentleman—that is, one who is half native and half European—to dine with him. It became known that the invitation had been extended, and a storm of opposition broke among the members. The matter was finally adjusted by setting aside the ladies’ department of the club, and there the offending member and his unfortunate guest dined alone. The next day the member was called before the board of governors and notified that another like breach of the rules would result in his expulsion. The beating of native servants and workmen in India is a daily and hourly occurrence. It formerly was so at Hong Kong and Shanghai, but Mr. Sprague, the representative of the Standard Oil Company at Shanghai, told me that since the Russo-Japanese war the natives would not stand it, and that all beating of them by Europeans in that city had ceased.
The son of a maharaja goes to England, is educated at Oxford or Cambridge, is lionized in the West End of London—mayhap he is honored with an invitation to Windsor. When he goes back home he may enter no white man’s club; if he be fortunate enough to be invited to a white man’s function, no white woman will dance or associate with him; and if by any luck he should marry a European, he, his wife and his children become outcasts. Although native troops, like the Sikhs, have shown undying loyalty to the British flag and on frequent occasions have exhibited courage in the highest degree, no one of them ever has or ever can achieve the Victoria Cross.
Socially they are all saying to us: “Stop cheating us, stop swindling us, stop your treating us as your inferiors who are to be beaten and robbed.” Japan is crying out, “Treat us fairly and we will go more than half-way. Leave to us the question whether Japanese laborers shall go to America to annoy you, and we will stop them. But do not say that you will admit the lazaroni of Hungary and Italy and Russia, simply because they are white, and shut us out because we are yellow.”
The Sinhalese, natives of Ceylon, while I was in Colombo, addressed a remarkable communication to the Governor-General. They said a hundred years ago there was established in the United States a new theory of government—that there should be no taxation without representation. “Now,” they said, “we ask a share in the government of the island. We pay taxes. You may fix a property qualification and say that no one having less than a thousand pounds sterling shall share in the government. We shall not object. You may also fix an educational qualification. You may say that no one but a college graduate shall take part in the government. We will not object. In short, you may fix any qualification except a racial qualification. That would not be fair.” “And what answer have you to make?” I asked Mr. Crosby Rolles, editor of The Times of Ceylon. “To meet their request,” he replied, “would mean to turn over the government of Ceylon to them at once, because there are 6,000 of them and only 5,000 English men, women and children. We must stop educating them.”
What do you think of that for a remedy? Personally. I do not think it will work, any more than I think any rule of arbitrary repression can endure. I cannot bring myself to sympathize altogether with the views expressed by Mr. Roosevelt in his recent Guildhall speech. I take refuge in what seems to me the larger experience and riper judgment of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, who in July, 1904, was also given the freedom of the City of London in Guildhall, and on that occasion used these words: “Depend upon it, you will never rule the East except through the heart, and the moment imagination has gone out of your Asiatic policy your empire will dwindle and decay.
“In smug complacency you may close your doors which look toward Asia, while you open wide those which look toward Europe; you may refuse the Oriental admission to your schools, while you accord the privilege to any child of a European; you may pile import duties mountain high, and raise our standards of living to any pitch of extravagance; you may build warships without limit, and you may continue to treat the Asian as legitimate prey. But I am confident that it will not avail.
“As a soldier, whether at Omdurman, in the Sudan, or on 203–Metre Hill, at Port Arthur, the man of color has shown himself a right good fighting man; in commerce he has, by his industry, perseverance, ingenuity and frugality, given us pause; and before the eternal throne his temporal and his spiritual welfare are worth as much as yours and mine.”
BOOKS
When our readers wish to know where to buy the best books on race and other human problems they should consult this list:
A BOOK ALL INTERESTED IN HUMAN PROBLEMS OUGHT TO READ
JOHN BROWN
A Biography Fifty Years After
By OSWALD GARRISON VILLARD
THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON
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“No fault may justly be found with Mr. Villard’s telling of the story. It is minute and lucid, altogether fair and unvarnished.”
Fully Illustrated with Portraits, and Other Illustrations
With Copious Notes and Bibliography $5.00 Net; Postage 20 Cents
Boston HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY New York
Atlanta University Studies
OF THE NEGRO PROBLEMS
13 Monographs. Sold Separately.
Address:
A. G. DILL, Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga.
The Souls of Black Folk
By W. E. Burghardt DuBois
“It is one of the noteworthy books, not merely of a year, but of the epoch. Its every page is filled with vigor, spontaneity and spirituality.”—Boston Transcript.
“A stripping bare of the moral and mental anatomy of the African in America so as to reveal the naked soul in its primitive simplicity, seared and scarred by ages of suffering.”—New York Age.
Eighth Edition.
With frontispiece portrait of the author. $1.20 net.
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Books for “Crisis” Readers
JOHN BROWN
By W. E. BURGHARDT DU BOIS, A.M., Ph. D., Professor of Sociology in Atlanta University
12mo. Cloth, stamped in gold, gilt top. With frontispiece portrait of Brown
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FREDERICK DOUGLASS
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THE NEGRO IN THE SOUTH
His economic progress in relation to his Moral and Religious Development. By BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, of Tuskegee Institute, and W. E. BURGHARDT DU BOIS, of Atlanta University
12mo. Cloth. $1.00 net; by mail, $1.10
Chapter 1—The Economic Development of the Negro Race in Slavery
Chapter 2—The Economic Development of the Negro Race Since Its Emancipation
Chapter 3—The Economic Revolution in the South
Chapter 4—Religion in the South
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Largest Negro carriage concern in the United States
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a manufacturing corporation, is the sole owner of six letters patent, consisting of brake gearing and novel improvements in forks. These forks possess many practical advantages, as they combine the functions of an ordinary fork, a pike, a larding needle, a needle for sewing together a roll of beef, venison, veal or the legs of a turkey, duck or other game, stuffed or otherwise, and obviates the necessity of providing separate utensils to serve the several purposes for which such utensils are designed. The NEW POWER, on which the Company is now securing patents, will REVOLUTIONIZE the entire mechanism of power and its application. It will surpass the Marconi Wireless and the telegraph and telephone in importance. Think of it! A POWER which will displace steam, water, electricity and all known power in use to-day. At an early date the Company will demonstrate this NEW POWER. Do not delay. Invest now. Capital Stock $100,000. Shares $5.
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Educational Directory
Howard University
WILBUR P. THIRKIELD, President
Washington, D. C.
The College of Arts and Sciences—Kelly Miller, A.M., Dean.
The Teachers’ College—Lewis B. Moore, A.M., Ph.D., Dean.
The Academy—George J. Cummings, A.M., Dean.
The Commercial College—George W. Cook, A.M., Dean.
School of Manual Arts and Applied Sciences—
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
The School of Theology—Isaac Clark, D.D., Dean.
The School of Medicine: Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Colleges—Edward O. Balloch, M.D., Dean.
The School of Law—Benjamin F. Leighton, LL.D., Dean.
For catalogue and special information address Dean of Department.
Atlanta University
Is beautifully located in the City of Atlanta, Ga. The courses of study include High School, Normal School and College, with manual training and domestic science. Among the teachers are graduates of Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, Smith and Wellesley. Forty one years of successful work have been completed. Students come from all parts of the South. Graduates are almost universally successful.
For further information address
President EDWARD T. WARE
ATLANTA, GA.
Wilberforce University
WILBERFORCE, OHIO
Opens first Tuesday in September
Located in Greene County, 3¼ miles from Xenia, Ohio. Healthful surroundings. Refined community. Faculty of 32 members. Expenses low. Classical and Scientific, Theological, Preparatory, Music, Military, Normal and Business Departments. Ten industries taught. Great opportunities for High School graduates entering College or Professional Courses. Two new buildings for girls to be erected this year—one now in process of erection, and the other to be begun in the spring.
Catalogue and Special Information Furnished.
Address
W. S. SCARBOROUGH, President.
Shaw University
This institution of learning, established in 1865, has industrial departments for both young men and young women, as well as college, normal and preparatory departments. There are also Schools of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy and Theology.
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Address THE PRESIDENT
Shaw University, Raleigh, N. C.
Atlanta Baptist College
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
A High School and College for men, conducted under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, founded in 1867. Has a campus of thirteen acres on one of the highest points of land in the city. Five buildings, one just completed at a cost of $40,000. Societies, debating clubs and athletics.
For further information address
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The Georgia State Industrial College
Good for a Trade, Normal, Industrial and Collegiate Education.
Write for Catalogue to
R. R. Wright, A.B., L.L.D., President.
Legal Directory
Real Estate and Probate Matters a Specialty
ROBERT B. BARCUS
Attorney and Counselor-at-Law
Notary Public
Office: Room 502, Eberly Block Columbus, O.
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Offices: Suite 610, Sykes Block
Minneapolis, Minn.
GEORGE W. MITCHELL
Attorney-at-Law
908 Walnut Street
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J. DOUGLAS WETMORE
Attorney and Counselor-at-Law
5 Beekman Street (Temple Court)
New York City
Tel. 6222 Cortlandt Cable Address, Judowet
FREDERICK L. McGHEE
Attorney and Counselor-at-Law
Union Block, Fourth and Cedar Streets
St. Paul, Minn.
General Practice Notary Public
WILLIAM R. MORRIS
Attorney and Counselor-at-Law
1020 Metropolitan Life Building
Minneapolis, Minn.
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The Curse of Race Prejudice
James F. Morton, Jr., A.M., Author and Publisher
Forceful, rational, comprehensive. An arsenal of facts and unanswerable arguments. Invaluable for propaganda. Read the chapter on “The Bugbear of Social Equality,” which is a veritable eye-opener. Thousands already sold. Agents wanted everywhere.
PRICE 25 CENTS
Address the Author at 244 West 143d Street,
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Mme. BECK’S School of Dressmaking
Designing, Cutting, Fitting, Embroidering and Ladies’ Tailoring Taught by the Improved French System
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The Firm for the Negro Farmers and Shippers to Deal With
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NYANZA DRUG CO.
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CAPITAL STOCK, $15,000
Shares $5.00
Write for information. The best paying investment ever offered our people.
NYANZA PHARMACY
is the only colored Drug Store in New York City, and the purpose of the Corporation is to establish chains of stores, carrying Drugs and everything incidental to the Drug business. It is really the indisputable duty of every self-respecting member of the race to give it his support.
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All Kinds of Workmanship
Cigars and Tobacco for Sale
Daily and Weekly Papers and Magazines
Brooklyn Agents for THE CRISIS
How to Elevate the Moral and Civic Tone of the Negro Community
Negroes—good, bad and indifferent—as long as they have lived in tenements, have had to live shamefully intermingled. Formerly they were forced to live in ramshackle tenements that had been abandoned by the whites, at exorbitant rents for wretched accommodations. But now, thanks to the thrift and enterprise of certain progressive Negro real estate agents, they may live in houses having the same conveniences and accommodations as the whites. While, happily, the physical surroundings of the Negro tenant have been radically altered, unhappily his moral surroundings remain unchanged. How, then, can we improve his moral surroundings? Co-operation is a sine qua non in the solution of this problem. Tenants MUST co-operate with their agents and agents MUST co-operate with one another in ameliorating the moral and civic condition of Negro communities. We can’t lean on the landlord. He is an indifferent third party. He cares not, so to speak, whether his house is tenanted with respectable or disrespectable tenants, so long as it is full and he gets his rents. If he’s at all concerned about the disrespectable or respectable tenants in his house, it’s only to the extent that he’s afraid the former may be the cause of some or all of the latter moving, thus leaving him with some vacancies.
The present moral conditions of Negro tenantry are indeed bad. The individual efforts of certain Negro agents toward bettering the conditions have been praiseworthy, to say the least, but as far as making any progress toward the desired goal is concerned, such efforts must needs be and practically have been of little or no avail. What is the desirable goal is too obvious to command explanation. But how to reach that goal is the matter under consideration. In the first place, we repeat that the united efforts of tenants and agents are the desideratum.
Let the agent compel a prospective tenant to furnish references satisfying fair and reasonable requirements as imposed by, agreed upon and accepted in toto by all agents. The respectable tenant will be glad to do it. Any tenant not furnishing such references should be “jim-crowed,” as it were, from decent neighborhoods.
This matter of bettering the moral and civic condition of Negro communities is a case of a wheel within a wheel. As has been emphasized before, the agent can do absolutely nothing without co-operation. Ministers wielding great influence over large congregations can lend a powerfully helping hand, if they will. We must all pull together. We cannot work resultfully in factions. It is unquestionably within our power to do it, if all others do their respective parts and the colored real estate agent does his.
Desirable Apartments for Desirable Tenants Also Homes for Sale on Easy Terms
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TELEPHONES
917–918 HARLEM 67 West 134th St., New York City
Do You Want a Position?
Best Places
Best Families
The New York and New Jersey Industrial Exchange, through its Employment Agency Department, furnishes more Colored Help to the leading families in the city and in the suburban towns than any other medium in New York.
It is located in the acknowledged best section of the city, being in the Henry Phipps’ Model Tenements for Colored Families. No other Exchange is so well patronized by the foremost families, many of whom have never employed Colored Help before.
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N. Y. & N. J. Industrial Exchange
237–239 West 63d Street
Telephones 5016–4546 Columbus
Cosmopolitan Automobile School
The aim of the School will be to give its students a sufficient knowledge of the theory and practice of Automobile and Automobiling to enable them to meet the emergencies that constantly arise to make those who complete the course competent to run machines, take them apart and assemble them properly, and to make such repairs as may be necessary and possible on the road.
TUITION—Six weeks’ course, including Shop and Road Work, $25: installments if you wish, payable $5 on enrollment and $20 by the completion of the fourth week.
SHOP WORK—Consists of naming all the parts of the automobile, taking the engine and the rest of the automobile apart and putting them together again properly, and making such repairs as may be necessary and possible.
ROAD WORK—When the shop work is complete the student takes up the operating and handling of cars on the road until he is competent.
If there is any special information which you desire respecting the course or opportunities in the automobile business we shall be glad to bear from you.
COSMOPOLITAN AUTO CO. of New York
Telephone 803 Columbus School: Hotel Maceo, 213 West 53d St. LEE A. POLLARD, Mgr.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
- Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling.
- Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed.
- Re-indexed footnotes using numbers.
- A reprint edition provided by Arno Press, A Publishing and Library Service of the New York Times, New York, 1969.