Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-03
NO ANIMOSiTY.
People of California Are Friendly t.
the Japanese.

csc agitation on the Pacific coast, Which
has been famed into new life by the
Introduction of radical measures in the
Legislatures of California and Nevada,
has been carried on quietly for some
time by the Asiatic Exclusion League
but apparently is causing no excitement
in either state outside of the capital
Expressions of animosity toward the
Japanese rarely are heard, and in every
part of California the Japanese are as
well treated as other classes of the alien
population. The revival in the Legisla-
ture of the movement to restrict their
privileges came somewhat in the nature
of a Use, and the action of that body
regarding the pending measures is being
watched with much interest at home as
we'll as abroad. 3.
| National attention has been attracte ed
| by the efforts of President Roosevelt. Sec
| onded by Gov. Gillett to prevent any leg
| islaton that may lead to international
complications and in this connection the
address of Foreign Minister kolnura in
| the Japanese Diet declaring anew the
| peaceful policy of his nation has caused
considerable comment. 1t is being used
| by the advocates of friendship with
Japan to show that both countries at
| present are in accord and an argument
against any unfriendly action by the rep
| resentatives of the people of California
at Sacramento.
All of the bills introduced in the Cali
| forna Legislature have been made the
special order of business in the Assembly
for tomorrow, and lively debates may be
anticipated.
| The bill prohibiting aliens from owning
land in the state has been amended by
it's author, Assemblyman Drew of Fresno
county, as not to specify 'aliens' who
may not become citizens, which made 1t
| applicable to japanese and now is general
in it's provisions. This change was made
at the suggestion of President Roosevelt
and in it's present form the measure is
not likely to meet with disapprOval of
the national administration should it be-
| come law. That it is intended to bar
the japanese especially from becoming
owners of realty is frankly admitted by
| Assemblyman Drew and this will be full
| ~ brought out in debate.
The bill introduced by Assemblyman
Grove l.. johnson to prohibit aliens from
| becoming directors in corporations in
this state and segregating the japanese
| with Mongolians in schools and comrnun-
tiles will be pressed by the author
| who is the Republican floor leader of
the House. The latter measure was ia
| vorably reported by the judiciary COM
mittee today The insertion of the word
Japanese in the existing statute was
largely instrumental. it is understood. in
causing President Roosevelt to request
Gcv. Gillett to prevent. if possible, such
| legislation as is now proposed
The attitude of the Assembly in re-
gard to these various measures is uncer-
tain A majority is claimed by those
in favor of anti-Japanese legislation
who claim that all of the bills viii
pass Those opposed to the enactment
of such radical laws, however. declare
that none will get through, except pos
siby the alien land bill.
1t is believed that the Senate will he
more conservative, and those who de-
sire to abide by the Presidents wishes
and do nothing to offend Japan are con-
fident of being able to kill in the Upper
House any Objectionable measure that
may get through the Assembly. This sen
tinent was shown today by the approx
proving of the report made on the mes
sage of Gov. Gillett asking that no dras-
tic action be taken at this session.
| The resolution of the Nevada Legisla
ture approving the proposed Legislation
hostile to the Japanese passed the AS
senbly of that state, after the elimina-
ton of the caustic comment on Presi-
dent Roosevelt originally contained and
it is expected to go through the Senate
tomorrow. 1t has been received colding at
Sacramento. Members of both Houses
apparently resent any interference with
their home affairs. Bills directed against
the japanese drawn on similar lines. but
even more radical in their terms, are be-
fore the Nevada Legislature and a deter
mined effort will be made to secure their
passage though it has been intimated
that they will not receive executive APP
prevail.