Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-20

Following is President RooSevelt's let
ter to Gov. Gillett of California, asking
his influence to stop anti-Japanese legis-
lation in that state:
The White House.
Washington, January 16, 1909.
My Dear Governor: 1 am greatly con-
cerned over the antf-Japanese bills,
which are apparently going through, or
are on their way through, the California
legislature. They are in every sense
most unfortunate. At last we have in
first-class working order the arrange
ment which, with such difficulty, we
succeeded in getting through two years
ago.
THE Japanese government is obvious
ly acting in entire good faith. During
the six months ended October 81, last,
the total number of Japanese who have
come to the mainland of the United
States has been 2.074. and the total num-
Der who have left has been 3,1S1.
In other words, the whole object
nominally desired by those who wish to
prevent the incoming Of Japanese labor
ers has been achieved. More Japanese
are leaving the country than are coming
in and by present Indications, in a very
few years the number Of Japanese here
will be no greater than the number of
Americans in Japan-that is, the move
the other, which is just what we desire.
No Shadow Of Excuse.
There is. therefore, no shadow of ex-
cuse for action which will simply pro-
duce great irritation, and may result in
upsetting the present agreement and
throwing open the whole situation again.
These agitators have themselves to
thank if trouble comes from what they
do, If there is fresh influx of Japanese
hither.
They hamper the national government
in what 1t has now SO efficiently ac-
complished-the agreement by peaceful
means, and through the friendly initiative
of the Japanese government, to keep
Japanese immigrants out of the United
States, save as Americans themselves
visit Japan.
'Js it not possible to get the legisla-
ture to realize the great unwisdom from
the standpoint of the country at large.
and above all from the standpoint of
California, of what is being done? Sim
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Gov. Gillett's Statement.
dispatch from Sacramento says Gov
Gillett last night authorized the follow
ing statement:
after comforting with the leading
ture tonight, l am now convinced that no
legislation directed against the Japanese
will be enacted. 1 am satisfied that the
people of California, and particularly the
members of our legislature, appreciate the
efforts being made by the federal govern
ment and the representatives of Japan to
stop immigration to this country of jap
anese laborers. skilled and unskilled
There can be no doubt that the jap
anese government is acting absolutely In
good faith in it's endeavor to prevent it's
people emigrating to our country, and, in
my judgment. it would be serious mis-
take, while they are SO doing to enact
any laws directed against the Japanese
people.
This question is one In which the fed
eral government is particularly interested,
and it's wishes should be carefully consid-
cred. and will be, l am sure, by the peo-
pie of this state"
Assemblyman Drew of Fresno, author
of the Japanese land bill. said:
II am receiving scores of letters from
all over the state asking that I do all in
my power to pass the bill. but I want the
opinions Of the people as to the provisions
of the measure. l believe that if it came
up for passage now in either branch 1t
would receive q unanimous vote I am
not going to be unreasonable in this mat
ter. but I believe that the people want
Japanese and Chinese excluded from
rights -