New-York tribune., 1907-03-13
AND JAPS.
President Says Amy Legislation
Would Hinder Negotiations.

Sacramento, Cal. March 12.-Shortly before
the adjournment of the Legislature to-day Gov
ernor Gillette transmitted to it the Following
Geographic correspondence on the japanese
question between himself and President Roose-
welt:
The Assembly of the State of California:
nave the honor to advise your hol9Eao!e 2snoi
DOuy that yesterday I forwarded 10 the FIes!-
dent OF the United States telegram OF Whcn
the following is a COPY:
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt President OF the
United States, Washington:
"A Dill Is now pending in our Legislature 10
submit to the vote two years from now the
question as to whether Japanese labor snail De
excluded from this country. Will the passage
Of this bill interfere with any Of your plans or
make 1t more difficult for you TO accomplish
way Of Japanese exclusion? Please answer at
once as our Legislature is desirous of knowing
concerning it."
In reply TO this telegram received from the
President the following message:
Il thank you for your kind and prompt at
tention to my request. Passage of a bill for
submission to voters Of California whether
Japanese laborers shall be excluded would in
terfere with my plans and make it more diff
cult for me to accomplish through this national
government what 1 trying to do in the way
of Japanese labor exclusion
The assumption Of power by the voters or
California 10 settle this question, II assenteo
to by the national government will immediate
ly end all my negotiations with Japan FOR
friendly adjustment, because to negotiate a
settlement we must have power to settle, While.
on the other hand, California cannot negotiate
a treaty under the Constitution
1T is, however. perfectly clear that under
the Constitution only the national government
can settle the question of exclusion. and such
vote OF California as is proposed would have
to be treated entirely nugatOry while It
would probably be regarded by those opposed
to exclusion attempt to ignore the con-
stitutional power Of the United States and ex-
ciude Japanese in defiance of their treaty
rights to come in
Il earnestly deprecate the passage of any
legislation affecting the Japanese. The national
can in all human probability secure the results
that California DESIRES while at the same time
preserve unbroken the friendly relations between
the United States and Japan
I have the interest Of California most deeply
at heart shall strive to accomplish for Call
forna, as for other states sections Of this
country. everything that can conserve it's honor
ana It's interests Any such action as that you
mention would merely hamper the national gov
ernment in the effort 10 secure for California
what only the national government can secure.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
1 understand It is not the intention of tho
Legislature 10 pass at this session any measure
whatever affecting the Japanese. believe this
to ne excellent judgment the part Of the
Legislature, because to do so. suggested by
the President, might interfere with and hamper
the national government in making the proper
treaties with Japan and bringing about the re-
suit which California desires. Japanese exclu-
SION
San Francisco March 12-Mayor SchmItz
sent 10 President Roosevelt telegram inform
ing him that the Board of Education viii pass
| a resolution in conformity with the agreement
reached at Washington and asking that the
suit instituted by the federal government tc
enforce the right of Japanese children be dis
| missed.
The following reply came from Washington:
thank you and congratulate you and the
people Of the United States and especially tn,
people OF California on the outcome. l have
! directed dismissal OF the suit 10 take place
| Immediately upon the adoption Of a resolution
| of the Board OF Education as you request
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.