Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-19
President Trying to Stop Jap
anese Legislation.
WRITES TO THE GOVERNOR
Considered Unjust in View of ia
pans Friendly Attitude.
BILLS PUSHED AT SACRAMENTO
One Prohibiting Aliens From Hold
ing Land Made Special Order
for Tomorrow.

That President Roosevelt feels suffi-
ciently concerned about the proposed
Japanese legislation in California to
write an important letter to Gov. Gi1lett
of that state is admitted by the White
House today. The letter IS not made
public out of courtesy to Gov. Gillett,
who has not yet received it. 1t was
mailed from the White House three or
four days ago and will be received by
the governor in day or So
The President strongly feels that the OBJ
lection to Japanese immigration to this
country is fast being settled by the agree
ment in existence between the United
States and Japan. By this agreement, the
President points out, 1000 more japanese
have left America in the last six months
than have come in.
The President is convinced that Japan
is sincere in her intentions to greatly re-
duce the number of her citizens in the
United States and territories by both pro-
hibIting their coming here and by advlS-
ing their departure when their employ
ment and business interests will permit.
Because this decrease of Japanese in
this country is actually going on as
positive figures show, the President
considers it seriously unwise to attempt
legislation discriminating against these
people He has no power except his
great moral influence to stop this legis-
lation, and he will not attempt to exert
any other influence.
Not only does he deem discriminatory
legislation unwise, but he thinks that it
is fair to the japanese that agitation of
the question also be suppressed by lead
ing men of the Pacific coast
Wants Japan's Word Taken.
If the Japanese are not honest in their
purpose to quietly reduce the number of
her people in the United States the White
House is convinced that this fact will be
quickly ascertained, and legislation might
then be in order Until that time he
wants the Japanese accepted at their
word.
The hope is expressed that the letter
of the President, when made public will
have the effect of stopping further legis-
lative effect in the California legislature,
which has almost reached the point of
enacting one law prohibiting the Japa-
nese from holding real estate in that
commonwealth. It is taken for granted
that Gov. Gillett's private appeal to the
legislators. in pursuance of the corre-
spondence with the White House, will
| temporarily suspend legislation.
Senators Lending Aid.
Senator Flint, commenting upon the re-
port published in Sacramento that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had taken a hand in the
effort to stop anti-Japanese legislation be-
fore the California legislature. stated to-
day that the Presidents position as out
lined in the oh
solutely correct. He said the President
is determined that this legislation shall
not be enacted until after Californians
have had pointed out to them the intus-
tice of their attitude toward the japanese.
The President Is proceeding on the the
ory that Japan has stopped the emigra-
ton Of coolies to this country, and is do
ing everything possible to remove the
tries. says Mr.. Flint
The California senator's frequently have
conferred with the President and are aid
ing him in holding up the legislation.
pending a full explanation of the federal
government position in the matter.
President Roosevelt's Telegram.
SACRAMENTO. Cal, January 19.-The
Sacramento Union today says:
President Roosevelt has taken a hand
in the anti-Japanese legislation now be-
fore the California legislature, and has
asked the governor to take steps to have
all legislation held up until the Presi-
dent can be heard in the matter. In a
telegram sent Saturday this request was
embodied, and a letter is On it's way to
Sacramento which will give the chief
executives views and wishes In the mat
ter of legislation against the little
brown man."
President Roosevelt's telegram follows:
Washington January Is. 1909.
Hon. James N. Gillett, Governor of
California, Sacramento, CAL:
We are greatly concerned at newspa-
per reports on anti-Japanese legislation
in California's legislature. Having writ
ten you at length on the subject. l
earnestly hope that no progress will be
mseo bills until you have a chance
10 receive my letter. and il necessary to
discuss its contents with leaders of two
houses. My knowledge of the interna-
tional situation, particularly with refer
ence to emigration of Japanese laborers
from the United States, satisfies me that
passage of proposed legislation would be
of incalculable damage to the state of
| California as we'll as to the whole nation
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Bills to Be Held Up.
Gov. Gillett sent the following reply:
| ply:
| Sacramento, Cal, January 18.