Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-23
CONFER on JAP LEGISLATION
President Asks California Delegation
to Oppose Drastic Measures.
MOST VITAL MATTER PENDING
Federal Figures on Migration Cues
toned by Senator FIint-GOv-
ernOr GiIIett says No
Action Now,

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-The japanese
legislation question in California was dis
cussed at conferences today between Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Senators Flint and Full
ton and others. The president urged the
necessity OF California's congressional dele
CATION using their influence as fully as
possible against legislation that might be
resented by Japan,
This was diplomatic day at the State
department and among Secretary Roots
callers was Ambassador Takahira Of Japan.
He declared his call was a personal one,
in anticipation of the secretary's forth
coming retirement from the cabinet.
The president talked cautiously with
some OF his congressional visitors today.
He went so far as to say he thought moth
ing pending in congress- nor any of the
differences between himself and congress
were OF half the importance as the Japa-
nese-California question.
An~tt-Japanese Sentiment.
Although talking with great elaboration
and care, the president still recognizes the
existence OF deep-founded antagonistic scn-
timent Ia the Japanese in California. and
the wisdom of placating that sentiment so
as to end the agitation with as little delay
as possible. Because OF the almost unani-
nous sentiment in the state the president
realizes the responsibility upon Governor
Gillett in using his Influence upon the
legislature to stop legislation at this SEES
sion and wants 10 do all he can to share
some OF that responsibility.
Senator Flint in his conference at the
White House agreed with the president
in considering the burden upon Governor
Gillett an important and serious one and
is willing to share with the governor the
work Of trying to allay tho irritation. The
president is not hesitating to use the in
fluence OF Senator Flint and will not re-
frain from doing anything within reason
himself.
Senator Flint and other Californians have
told the president plainly that while they
are willing to help him they do not place
much confidence in the figures Of the gov
eminent as to the decreasing number of
Japanese I'm this country. The facts dis
pute the figures" they declare, and add
that the japanese are atkins possession
Of whole towns.
The president advised his California
visitors that no would like TO see a fair
trial given to the promises OF the japanese
to decrease the number OF their citizens
in this country and ~ this trial shows
that there is no decrease. then he will no
longer use his influence, even after he
goes out OF office, to prevent hostile legts-
lation.
Senator Fulton OF oregon, after his talk
at the white House, said that the feelins
as to the Japanese In his state was not
as acute as in California.
SACRAMENTO, Cal, Jan. 2-Govenor
GiIlett replied today that there was u
be no legislation against the Japanese
so far as he could SEQ at this session OF
the legislature. lilo has not decided 10
address the members OF tho legislature
in a special message nor does he deem
such action necessary In view Of the
wide publication OF the wishes OF the
federal authorities, The governor has
received a letter from Secretary Root
bearing upon the Japanese question, but
declines to make Il public on the ground
that Secretary Root considers the com
munication of a confidential character
as have been several other letters thar
the secretary has sent the governor
within the last few days.
ABssmblyman Grows L. Johnson's bill