early 1900;s sure, mostly whites as asians/arabs though. Its not lile hollywood had many mongolian actors speaking fluent english applying to be Genghis Khan. Sometimes they white wash for bigger views like with say Ghost in the Shell (which Nippon are fine with). Then there is that Avatar the windbender or whatever movie by M Shamaleom , that was just bad.  I would rather roles be portrayed by actors that best match them.