The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-20
aeoseveIt Takes g Hand.

| 01CFhtll6utOs O8i.I J8u, 1S-Aut daG~ ramento Union today says:
 President Roosevelt hss taken . hand in fhe anti-Japanese 1egislasion now bee fore the California Legislature, and has asked the Gevernor to take steps td have all legislation held up until the President can be heard in the matter.
 In telegram sent Saturday, this re- quest 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,"
 President RooseveIt's telegram fol- lows:
 Washington, Jan. 16. 1908. Hon. James N Gillette. Governor of
 California Sacramento, Cal
 We are greatly concerned at news paper reports on anti-Japanese legisla- ton in California's Legislature. Have written you at length on the subject Earnestly hope that no progress will be made on bills until you have chance to read my letter. and if necessary, to discuss its contents with leaders of the two houses. My knowledge of the international situation, particularly with reference to emigration of Japan ese Iaborers from United States sat- isfies me that the passage of the pro- posed legislation would be of incalcul- able damage in State of California as well as to the whole Union.
 Theodore Roosevelt"
 Governor Gillette sent the following reply:
 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 I can hear from you. Copies of bills introduced affecting Japanese legislation. with briefs on same. mailed you.
 The Drew measure prevents owner ship of property for more than seven years by aliens and this measure waa reported out of committee today favor ably and was to have passed through the Assembly. Ii was held up until Wednesday, when 1t was made a special order of business. and, according to Governor Gillette. will probably be postponed stiil further when that time arrives Governor Gillette said:
 T received the message from Presi- dent Roosevelt Saturday evening after dinner, and answered after seeing As- semblyfnan Drew. who agreed to await the letter from the President.
 "T'here 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 of the Govern ment at Washington. In this way. there is much known there of which the dif- ferent communities and States Of the Union are ignorant. For this reason. as stated, he knows more relative to exist ing conditions. so that his wishes are to be respected"
 Previous to receiving the telegram from President Roosevelt, Governor Gil- frAx knR Frank P. Flint, saying that the Presi- dent wanted action upon the Japanese I, Legislation withheld until he could send A communication to the Governor and that this had been forwarded last Sat- urday. This telegram was followed the same evening by that from the President, and the proposed Japanese will remain where 1t is un. til word Is received from the Governor along the lines outlined by President Roosevelt.
 President RooseveIt's message to the Governor was not unexpected. but Gov ernor Gillette did not answer 1t until yesterday. He consulted with Lieuten- ant Governor Porter and leaders in both branches before telegrahping the Presi- dent that the bills would be held up until further information could reach here from the National Capital. Grove l.. Johnson, author of three anti Japanese bills, that will be bitterly op- posed by the Federal Government, de- clares he will pay no attention to the request for delay. He said today:
 "It will be remembered that two years ago. during the controversy over the Japanese school question in San Francisco the President sent a frantic to the Governor requesting that the bill providing that Japanese be segregated with Mongolians be killed. I consented at that time to see if the Federal authorities would rem
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