The San Francisco call., 1909-02-07
Adverse Action in California Is
Considered Dangerous al
Home and Abroad
Belief That People Could MOI Be
Restrained from PIunglng
Nations Into War
Especial Dispatch 10 The Cain

| LOf~CtA-
lVVTASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The
| w fear OF rsprisal in Japan is
understood to, be the real
reason for the anxiety displayed BY
the administration over anti japanese
legislation in California. The Japan
ese government maintains a correct
attitude and there is no suggestion
that it would even protest against a
law regulating the public school sit
uation in California But the Japan
ese people are feared by their~own
government, and it is in the hope of
preventing demonstrations which
might overturn the government and
thus lead to war that the American
administration is going to such
lengths in dissuading the states from
discriminatory legislation.
Liability of Uprising
The liability OF an uprising OF the
Japanese was clearly brought out two
years ago in correspondence between
the two governments. This CORE
spondence, it is said, has been read
by Governor Gillett, and it accounts
for his strong attitude in support of
the presidents policy of securing the
exclusion of Japanese laborers by the
present "gentlemen's agreement with
the Japanese government rather than
by direct exclusion legislation
Might Attack Americans
The belief is expressed by admins
tration officials that if anti Japanese
legislation in California should be fol-
lowed by disorder, disturbances would
Immediately occur in Japan. These
disturbances might take the form of
an uprising against the government,
but the fear is expressed that they
might also lead to attacks upon
American missionaries and residents.
In either event the two governments
might be forced into war against the
most strenuous efforts of the authori-
ties.
Perkins Criticised
The japanese agitation has caused
a sharp distinction to be drawn be-
tween the two California senator's
from the administration standpoint
Senator Perkins is severely criticised
by the presidents advisers, while
Flint is praised for his cooperation
in trying to bring about satisfactory
solution of the whole matter. 1t is
pointed out by administration officials
that Senator Perkins opposed the
plan to secure four battleships at the
last session. thereby Gripping the gov
ernment in its military effectiveness,
and that he now apparently sym
pathizes with the anti-Japanese legis-
lation in California. thus fomenting
friction with Japan. One adviser of
the president said:
Senator Perkins would prevent the
United States from fixing itself for
war, and yet he seems to be willing
to increase the chances of war with
Japan by favoring offensive legisla-
ton"
President Sees Danger
President Roosevelt has made it
plain to callers that he is in favor Of
the exclusion of Japanese laborers.
but he insists that the method he is
following carries with it maximum
of effectiveness with a minimum OF
friction. The California ~agitators,
in his opinion, are working against
exclusion by making it more difficult
for him to maintain the working
agreement with Japan
He is said to make no secret of his
concern over the situation. not be-
cause he fears any lack of patience
or discretion on the part of the Japan
csc o0veruuAnt htrt becaf1Se of the