Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-22
ROOSEVELT DELAYS
ANTI-JAP STATUTES
PRESIDENT SENDS MESSAGE TO
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR TO
HOLD UP LEGISLATION UNTIL
HE HEARS FROM CAPITAL.

SACRAMENTO, Cal, Jan. 19.-The Sac
Union today says: President
Roosevelt has taken hand in the anti
Japanese legislation now before the Cal
ifornia legislature. and has asked the
governor to take steps to have all legis-
lation held up until the president can be
heard in the matter In telegram sent
Saturday this request was embodied and
a letter is en- route to Sacramento which
will give the chief executives views and
wishes in the matter of legislation against
"the little brown men,"
Roosevelt Sends Telegram
President Roosevelt's telegram follows:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16. 1903.
"Hon. James N. Gillette, Governor OF
California, Sacramento. Cal.
I'VE are greatly concerned at news
paper reports on anti-Japanese legislation
in CALIFORNIA; legislature. Have written
you at length on the subject. Earnestly
hope that no progress will be made on
bills until you have chance to receive
my letter, and If necessary to discuss its
contents with the leaders of two houses.
My knowledge of the international situa-
ton, particularly with reference to emil
grafton of Japanese laborers from United
States satisfies that the passage Of the
proposed legislation would be of in
as well as the whole union.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Governor Gillette sent the following re-
ply:
SACRAMENTO, Cal, Jan. IS. 1909.
Theodore Roosevelt, President Of the
United States, Washington. d. c.
Telegram received. Have caused bills
to be held up until can hear from you.
Copies of bills introduced affecting Japa-
nese legislation with briefs on same mailed
you. ]. N. GILLETTE"
Provisions of Bill
The Drew measure prevents ownership
of property for more than seven years
by aliens and this measure was reported
out of committee. today favorably, and
was to have passed through the assembly.
1t was held up until Wednesday, when
1t was made a special order of business,
and, according to Governor Gillette, will
probably be postponed still further when
that time arrives. Governor Gillette said:
st received the message from President
Roosevelt Saturday evening after dinner,
and answered after seeing Assemblymar
Drew, who agreed to await the letter
from the president.
There is this about the matter that
is not fully understood: Japan does not
look to any state in settlement Of diff
ferences, but the head or the govern
ment at Washington. In this way there is
much known there Of which the different
communities and states of the union are
ignorant. For this reason, as stated by
the president, he knows more relative to
existing conditions, so that his wishes
are to be respected"
Previous to receiving the telegram from
President Roosevelt, Governor Gillette
received another from Senator Frank p.
Flint. saying that the president wanted
action upon the Japanese legislation with
held until he could send communication
to the governor, and that this had been
forwarded last Saturday. This telegram
was followed in the evening by that from
the president, and the proposed Japa-
nese legislation will remain where 1t Is
until word is received from the governor
along lines outlined by President Roose-
veIt ~r '.''.. -tN tf'-