Trouble with Japan

A “California Congressman” pokes a beehive labeled “Trouble with Japan,” out of which angry bees are attacking the congressman.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon illustrates a fractious problem of President Roosevelt’s second term, the persistent and sometimes ugly anti-Asian prejudice on the West Coast — mostly in California; mostly aimed at Japanese immigrants, more than other “Orientals.”

In fact the figure who pokes at the beehive might with justice have represented “the public,” particularly laborers; and “newspapers,” particularly those of William Randolph Hearst. Hearst’s paper in San Francisco, The Examiner, was especially incendiary, partly to stir controversy and attract increased circulation. Congressmen — many of whom supported Japanese-exclusion acts in urban and state legislatures — followed suit.

Few openings were left to the Japanese immigrants or their former leaders in Japan, whose sensibilities were offended. Roosevelt, out of compassion and larger diplomatic considerations, tried many means to defuse the ugly situation, balancing the concerns of American workers. As countervailing anti-America demonstrations commenced in Japan, likely fomented by the government, the issue took on special urgency for the president. The Great White Fleet’s planned port-call in Japan was designed to be a show of respect.

This cartoon, probably from the scrapbook of the White House itself, cut off the artist’s signature and omitted the usual printed (or scrawled) name of the newspaper. By its style and horizontal format it was likely of the “school” of cartoonists of Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Many cartoonists moved from the former city to the latter; and some continued to Chicago newspapers. The group inspired each other and had similar drawing styles. The realization of the boy’s face, and the manner of background shading, suggest that cartoonist probably was James H. Donahey or Ole May; possibly R. M. Brinckerhoff of Toledo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12

Creator(s)

Unknown

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Page Count

1

Production Method

Printed

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation