The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-01-22
President Roosevelt Writes
to Governor Gillette.
CALLED MOST UNFORTUNATE
Says It Would Work Incalcula-
ble Damage to Pass Laws
Against 0rientals Who
Own Land.

Sacramento, CAL, Jan. 2O.-Governor
Gillette has caused the anti-Japanesc
bills 20 be held up in the legislature
at the urgent request Of President
Roosevelt. who wrote him the follow
ing letter:
My Dear Governor-I am greatly con-
cerned over the anti-Japanese bills which
are apparently going through or are on
their way through the California legisla-
ture. They are In every sense most un-
fortunate.
At last we have in first class working
order the arrangement which with such
dificulty we succeeded in getting through
two years ago.
The Japanese government Is obviously
acting in entire good faith. During the
six months ending Oct 81 last the total
number OF Japanese who have come to
the mainland Of the United States has
been 2,074. and the total number who have
left has been 3.281.
In other words, the whole object nomi-
nally desired by those who wish to pre-
vent the incoming Of Japanese laborers
has been achieved.
More Japanese are leaving the country
than are coming In. and by present indi-
cations in a very few years the number
OF Japanese here will be no greater than
the number Of Americans in Japan-that
Is, Tie movement VIII uc Us nOTmdl III
one case as In the other, which is just
what we desire.
There Is therefore no shadow OF excuse
for an action which will simply produce
great irritation and may result in upset.
ting the present agreement and throwing
open the whole situation again.
These agitators have themselves to
thank IL trouble comes from what they
do IL there is a fresh influx of Japanese
hither. They hamper the national gov
ernment in what 1t has now so efficient
ly accomplished-the agreement by peace
full means and through the friendly initia-
tive Of the Japanese government to keep
japanese immigrants out of the United
States save as Americans themselves visit
Japan.
Is it not possible to get the legislature
to realize the great unwisdom from the
above all from the standpoint OF Califor-
mia of what is being done? Sincerely
yours, THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Before receiving this letter Governor
Gillette got the following telegram
from the president:
We are greatly concerned at newspaper
reports Of anti-Japanese legislation In
California's legislature. Have written
you at length on the subject. Earnestly
hope that no progress will be made Oh
bills until you have had chance to re-
ceive my letter and, If necessary. to dis
cuss its contents with leaders of two
houses. My knowledge of the interna
tional situation. particularly with refer
ence to emigration of Japanese laborers
to United States. satisfies me that pas
sage of proposed legislation would be oi
incalculable damage to state Of Califor
MIA as well as to whole Union.
Governor Gillette sent the following
reply:
Telegram received. Have caused bill.
to be held up until l can hear from you
Copies of bills introduced affecting Japa
nese. together with briefs on same, mailed
to you.
One Of the bills aimed at the Japa
nese, the Drew measure, forbids own
ership of property for more than sever
years by aliens, and 1t was reported
out Of committee favorably and was to
have been passed at once through the
assembly.
1t Is said on good authority that
Governor Gillette will veto the bills II
by any chance they should come tc
him for signature.
Speaker Stanton declares that the
Drew bill is dangerous. He said
when we undertake to change the
laws regarding such vital matters we
tread upon dangerous ground"
Grove L. Johnson, author of three
anti-Japanese bills that are bitterly
opposed by the federal government
declares he will pay no attention tC
the presidents request for delay.
The bills provide for the segregation
Of all japanese by act Of the legisla
tive bodies of municipalities and pre-
venting Japanese from attending thu
public schools for white children.