New-York tribune., 1906-12-25
ANGRY CALIFORNIANS,
OPPOSE THE PRESIDENT.
Labor LeQders Condemn Plan to
Naturalist japanese.


San Francisco. Dec 24.-Resolutions de-
nouncng President Roosevelts message 10 Con-
gress on the japanese situation in San Fran
cisco resenting his so-caled interference in ths
domestic affairs OF the state, and expressing
want of confidence in Secretary Metcalf. whose
report TO the President on the japanese school
question is described rs being utterly unworthy
of credence in any particular and containing
numerous Measurements and misrepresenta-
tions obviously one-sided and grossly exagger-
ated." were adopted at a mass meeting held
yesterday st Waltons Pavilion under the aus
pices of the japanese and Corean Exclusion
League
About twenty five hundred persons were pres
ent. O. \. Tvietmoe president Of the league and
secretary OF the state Building Trades Council,
was chairman. Among the speakers who dis
cussed tie situation Mayor Schmitz,
Police Commissioner W r. Hagerty. who is also
president Of the San Francisco Labor Council;
p. H. Mccarthy president of the Building
Trades Council; Walter Macarthur, Editor Of
THE Coast Seaynen's Journal and other labor
leaders.
Mayor Schmitz said that he willing TO
| lay down his life by the side of mis- fellow men
in fighting the japanese hordes." He said that
it was a question of self-preservation for the
merchant and business man as well for the
laborer. and that the japanese were more of a
menace than the Chinese. If naturalzed as
proposed by President Roosevelt, he added. they
would come to California in such numbers that
they would not only soon control the state by
their votes. but would make inroads into the
prosperity Of the countr:'.
Walter Macarthur said that the people Of
California will defend their state rights against
the assump ption OF these latter-day federalists-
He added that the issue Of state rights raised
nv the Presidents message had superseded the
issue ~ the segregation OF the Japanese chit
dren
The other speakers addressed the meeting
along similar lines. and characterized the Pres
ident's attitude rs NEEDING in the affairs Of
this state"
Resolutions termed a Reply ~ the Presi-
dent" were adopted. They say in part:
Resolved That va insist upon and shall ~
the limit Of our power maintain our rights under
the Constitution oF the United States and the
Constitution Of California. and as matter of
practical necessity and mental wellbelng OF
ol1r people seg7eg2te the pupils in the schools
in such manner reason and experience snal
dictate and TO adopt and enforce such other
-esIIat lions as nav ne deemed wise and expedi-
ert in the conduct of our educational and other
state municipal affairs; further -.,--..-
Resolved That resent the Presidents
threats OF compulsion by armed force in a mat
ter clearly within the purpose OF the municipal
and state authority as insulting 10 IHe Std'S
and as an intolera bic reflection upon Its rights
as a sovereign constituent OF the United States
Resolved. That opposed 10 the Presi-
dents recommendation that an act be passed
specifically providing for the naturalization OF
! the Japanese and that the powers of the federal
| government he enlarged for the purpose OF sub
verting the proper authority of this and other
states
The resolutions say that Secretary Metcalfs
/ allegation that the japanese and Corean Exclu-
sion League participated in a boycott on the
! Japanese restaurants is contrary TO fact and
/ based chiefly upon misinterpretation of press
reports on the leagues proceedings" and con-
! tinue:
Resolved That we deny and protest against
| these and other features of Secretary MetcalfS
report to President Roosevelt as unjust and mis-
/ leading. and be II further
/ Resolved That the report OF Secretary Met
/ calf is utterly unworthy IN any particular, tho
/ same being obviously Oue-sided and a grossly
| exaggerated presentation OF incidents which. so
far as they exist all. bear no significance 10
/ the question at issue between the governments Of
/ state OF California and President Roosevelt;
/ further
Resolved That we hereby express our lack
/ Of confidence in Secretary Metcah one who.
having been honored and trusted by our citizens,
/ has sought TO betTay our interests in a matter
vftallv affecting the welfare Of the present and
future generations, with the object OF bolsterinS
4 up an assault upon rights lf-govern-
! ing commonwealth and with intent 10 Justify 4
/ blow at the most fundamental principle OF na-
tioual unity