Correspondence between F. Takano and S. Gompers |
Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 31, 1896
Mr. F. Takano,
Tokio, Japan,
Dear Sir:--
I am in receipt of your favor of the 10th, contents of which I have carefully noted. It just came to hand when a newspaper correspondent was here, and I gave him a few points in reference to our acquaintance, and how you became interested in the movement, and he promised to write up a story in connection with it. I expect it to be published in to-morrow's paper, and since it will appear between the time this is dictated and written, I shall enclose a clipping from the paper herein for you. I hope you will not feel offended at the liberty I have taken in the matter.
The "Daily Advertiser" has not yet reached me, although I am anxiously looking for it. Of course, when you think of papers, as we have them in the United States, with a circulation of 800,000 a day, it seems peculiar that a paper could exist with a circulation of 600 and less. There is certainly room enough for growth and I am certain that the Japanese people will take advantage of every opportunity presented.
So the Japanese workingmen are following in the footsteps of their American and English brothers, that is, they have allowed the "foreign institution to come into the Japanese domain; I refer to the "strike" which "we" always here declare to be "un-American," and I presume now that the powers that be in your country will also declare it unpatriotic and un-Japanese. Strange what notions people get of patriotism, and how many villainies are committed under the name of patriotism. Somewhere I read that it is the last cry of a villain and destroyer of the people's rights.
I regret that you are so circumstanced as not to give you the opportunity of helping your fellow countrymen in their struggle. I trust, however, that your conditions will change sufficiently as to enable you to give them more attention, and the advice your experience enables you to impart.
I presume you have seen the September and October Federationist's with your article and letters respectively. Enclosed you will find a call for the Cincinnati Convention of the Federation. I will mail you a November issue of the Federationist Monday. Of course, I do not like to impose upon your time but shall appreciate anything you can write to me, either personally or officially, conveying information on the conditions of labor and the progress made in organization among the working people of Japan.
With every wish for your success, and hoping to hear from you often.
I am, Fraternally yours,
Samuel Gompers.