The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-01
NO OBJECTION 10 LAW
 TREATING ALIENS ALIKE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1.)


 -~~~~~~sO-~-~-~-~-~---- ~-~~~>~->,--~--,-z----- impose any limitations inconsistent there with. To the extent of owning or hiring lands for agricultural purposes so far as Japan is concerned, it is clearly compe- tent for the state of California to observe that 1t is the purpose of this bill to make those laws general as to aliens.
 Ownership of Lands.
 Assembly bill IS, entitled An act to regulate ownership or possession of lands by aliens. The observations which l have made regarding assembly bill Il apply in substance to this act. As bearing upon both acts, l transmit herewith a copy of telegraphic correspondence had between the governor of California and myself, consisting of a telegram from the gov ernor dated Saturday last, and my reply of this morning. In my reply you will per- ce1ve that l suggest the insertion of a clause in any legislation regarding the holding of lands by aliens which will save their treaty rights, and that l also refer to some of the decisions of the supreme court on the subject.
 Assembly bill IA, entitled, An act to amend section 1862 of the political code This bill aims to reproduce, in the form which created so much natural resentment on the part of Japanese two years ago. the specific discrimination against Jap anese in the schools. It was by securing the abandonment of this discrimination on the part of the San Francisco school board that the national government was enabled to bring about the informal agree. ment with Japan under which the two countries are now harmoniously and suc- cessfully preventing the coming of Jap- on lah fn io
 Strict Arrangements.
 The essential feature of this arrange ment is the adoption by Japan of a series of strict and effective arrangements, de- termined upon after full discussion with the government of the United States pre- senting the issue of passports to the Uni ted States to Japanese laborers. At the same time the President, in the exercise of power conferred upon him by Congress, prevents the direct entrance of Japanese who do not carry passport for the United States from the Japanese government If this bill is to be passed, that arrange ment with Japan would necessarily come to an immediate end. The people of the state of California have to consider not the question whether they would have the present arrangement through which Jap anese are now being excluded, plus such iC5 5iSidtiOil lulS Dut WtclucT they VIII sub this legislation for the exclusion of Japanese laborers.
 Viewing in a larger aspect the rela- tions of California to the rest of the union, it is difficult to find words strong enough to characterize the violation of patriotic duty which would be involved in a cause- less and objectless enactment constitute ing a serious affront to friendly nation and certain to plunge the entire union into the doubtful conditions of enmnty to a great and hitherto most friendly people which is our neighbor upon the Pacific
 'ELIHU ROOT
 Rights of Aliens.
 'The United States government has no objection to the enactment of law in California as regards the rights of aliens to hold real estate provided that the sug- gestions of the Secretary of State are com piled with.
 "Such a law would not be in any sub stantial respect different from similar laws that have been passed in other states. Many foreign countries, including Japan, h.,.4 str liar laws.
 But for the reasons set forth in MT. f,,.t r.uoranddm the federal govern- n.ent would most emphatically object to the passage of the proposed school legs- lation and also object to legislation such as the newspapers describe as having been proposed, to force the Japanese to live in seperate residential quarters.
 T most earnestly trust that, for the reasons set forth in MT. Root memoran- dunn and for the reasons set forth In my previous teegrams and letters, none of the objectionable proposed legislation will be enacted into law.
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT"