The San Francisco call., 1909-01-27
Roosevelt Thanks GilleH
For Message on japanese
President Wires He Will. Write Another Letter
On Anti Oriental Legislation Here

CALL HEADQUARTERS CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE BUILDING, SACRA-
MENTO. Jan. 26.-Indicative or the
deep interest which President Roose-
velt is. taking in the anti-Japanese
legislation pending at the present time
is telegram received by Governor
Gillett from the chief executive this
evening, after the latter had read the
press reports of the formers special
message on the subject. Following is
the telegram:
White House,
Washington, ID. c., Jan. -.
To Hon. j. N. Gillett, Governor OF
California, Sacramento, Cai.-Wiii
mail you full letter on legislation to-
morrow. This letter will set forth
why we think that the only bill that
is proper is that relating TO the own
ership of real property by aliens with
the amendments suggested by Secre-
fary Root. L most cordially thank you
for your attitude and for the service
you are thereby rendering, not only
to California, but to the entire union.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The measure relating to the owner
ship Of real property referred to by
the president is the bill introduced
by Assemblyman Drew. In its present
form this measure, if enacted, would
deprive Japanese and Chinese of the
right to hold real property in the
state, but would not affect the status
of other aliens in this regard The
amendment suggested by Secretary
Root and strongly urged by the gov
ernor in his special message to the
legislature this morning is that the
bill should be directed against all
aliens if directed against any, thus
eliminating any possibility of offense
to Japan and placing her subjects on
the same equality as a citizen of Great
Britain.
Another suggestion made by the sec
retary of state and indorsed by the
governor is that no law shall be
passed which shall conflict with rights
guaranteed to a friendly nation under
a treaty with the federal government.
The governors message to the legis-
lature today, in part, is as follows
To the senate and assembly of the
state of California:
There is certain legislation now pend.
ing before you which | believe to be of
grave concern not only to our state,
but TO the nation as well, and which
should be most thoughtfully considered
before 1t is acted upon.
Ordinarily l believe that there should
be no executive interference with the
Will of the legislature, nor any at
enactment of laws because yours is
a coordinate branch of the govern
ment and the people of this state, by
their constitution. have delegated to
you the power and authority of enact
ing those laws which are to govern
them, and have vested in the eXecu-
tive only the power of veto and the
right TO recommend such matters as
he may deem expedient
The enactment of any law is a grave
responsibility. and when you are con-
sidering measures which not only af-
affect the policies of the nation and in
volve 1t in trouble with friendly power,
then you are called on to proceed with
great caution, to weigh carefully every
step taken and to do nothing but what
your conscience and best judgment die
of the state, but to the interests of
the general government as we'll. And
it is because / believe that you are
now confronted with such situation
that I address this message to you,
hoping that | may be able to help
you properly to solve those matters to
which I shall herein refer, expecting
you to take such action al S will appeal
to your own judgment as to what is
the right and proper thing to do under
all the circumstances, both as it affects
the state and nation.
AGAINST THE JAPANESE
Certain bills have been introduced,
some OF which have been favorably
reported by your committees. Indirectly
intended to affect the Japanese people
at least such is the impression abroad
These bills have attracted the notice of
the whole nation and have caused
Japan to call the attention of our gov
ernment to them. They have pro-
duced an agitation, not only In our own