The California State Board of Control says. however. that this figure. as well as that of the State census. 87.279. is too low. The board points out that the census of tlme Japanese districts was taken by Japanese enumerators because Americans could not be found who spoke the Japanese language. and that the numbers reported were generally recognized as too small. that many Japanese lived in remote valleys and were difficult to reach for enumeration. that smuggling across the Mexican border is in constant progress. that many Japanese work on both sides the AimericaMexican border in the Imperial Valley. a condition making it easy for aliens to enter at this point. that the fishing fleets. operated mainly by Japanese in large power boats in both Mexican and American waters. afford perpetual opportunities for the violation of the gentlemens agreement. The United States Commissioner General of Immigration reported on January 30. 1919. partly as follows: Confidential information of unquestioned authenticity shows very conclusively that Japaneso smuggling across the Mexican border is carried on successfully and to a very large extent. Southern California possesses a peculiar attraclion to the Japanese and it seems inevitable that if some effective means are not found to curb further growth the Japanese colonies in that section will expand in time into such proportions as to create a serious problem. Once safely across. the line the contrabands find concealment at conveniently located ranches conducted by fellow countrymen where they work for small wages until a smattering of English and of sophistication are acquired when they proceed toward their respective ultimate destinations.
Identified stereotypes
Japanese smuggle across the Mexican border and conceal themselves with fellow countrymen.