The San Francisco call., 1909-01-27

country, but throughout Japan, and the
Japanese minister of foreign affairs
mas stated to the authorities in Wash
ington that If the bills should be passed
slider 1t very embarrassing.
Japan claims that it has the matter
Well In hand, that no Japanese laborers
are coming to this country and that
many are leaving. On the other hand,
1t is contended that the Japanese popu-
lation in this state is gradually in
creasing, but / know of no figures
showing this to be true.
If the agreement does not go far
enough. that is, if classes other than
those enumerated therein should have
should make that fact known to Japan
and ask TO have them included and
present its reasons therefor. If such
reasons are good and sufficient, then
what is right, Japan will. no doubt,
consent to the request made.
THEN TURN TO CONGRESS
If we find out that. Notwithstanding
Japan's efforts, her coolie labor con-
tinues to pour into our state, or, though
calling themselves agriculturists, are
landing upon our shores and settling
in our cities, or leasing and purchas-
Ing our valuable agricultural lands, and
changing white settlements to Japanese
to the detriment of this state and its
citizens, then 1T is our plain duty to
call the attention OF the government
to the facts and petition it to take
such prompt action as may be proper
While the settlement of the questions
of immigration are pending we should
do no act to embarraSs those In au-
thority al Washington, thereby making
their task more difficult. We should
be very careful about passing any leg
islation, not absolutely necessary for
our immediate protection, intended
solely to affect the Japanese people
being lawfully among us. because in so
doing we make the task which we ex-
pect our government to perform harder
to achieve, and such legislation at the
best can only tend to widen the breach
between Japan and our country and
cause a feeling of miSgiving and dis
trust to exist. We must also remember
that no law that this state can enact
Will stop Japanese immigration. Con-
gress alone is vested with. authority
to pass such legislation. And we must
also recognize the fact that the Japa-
nese among us are the subjects of a
friendly nation and are entitled to the
same treatment under our laws and TO
the same privileges and immunities as
are guaranteed to the subjects or the
most favored nations. Japan's treaty
with our government guarantees to
them this right, and, as citizens OF
these United States, we must accord it
to them. There can not be one law
for the subjects of Japan and another
one for the citizens of England
MUST AFFECT ALL ALIENS
If you believe the general policy of
this statement it's future development
demands that all aliens, that is, citi-
zens of other countries, should be dis
couraged in making investments here,
and that no alien should be permitted
to become the owner in fee simple of
any lands within this state-agricul-
tural, grazing or mineral, or of any
city property for the purpose of trade
commerce or manufacture-then enact
a law forbidding the same. but see to
1t that 1t affects the subjects of all ma
tions alike, and that under its pro-
visions the citizens of Japan shall have
equal privileges with those of Eng
land and other favored nations; other
wise you might create a situation which
may prove to be embarrassing to the
federal government. Mr.. Drew'S bill
might be so amended, but in its pres
ent FORM 1t clearly, as no doubt was
intended. discriminates against the cit
izens of China and Japan. Whether any
bill should pass at this time which will
discourage foreign capital from seelSin g
investments in our states, is most
serious question, and one not lightly to
be considered But that is a question
/ leave for YOU to solve.
Our efforts should be made through
the proper channels. and we should
prepare q statement OF facts to sup
port any petition we may present.
! would, therefore, recommend that
sufficient appropriation be made to
enable the labor commissioner TO take
a census showing the number of Japan
ese now in the state; the number
classed as laborers, and those classed
as agriculturists, the number of acres
of land owned by Japanese and the
such other and further Information as
may be useful in making proper re-
port to the president of the United
States and to congress.