The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-27
WARNS SOLONS OF CALIFORNIA Governor Gillette Sends
 Message. ANTI-JAP LAWS DANGEROUS Appeals for Execution of Rooss-
 velps Ideas. President Ha. written aa Important Letter to the Governor, But it's
 Contents Not
 Known.

itkiStdllOu, tHC that the Labor Commissioner be given money to take a census of the Japanese In the State, Governor James N. Gii- lette sent a special message to the Legislature today.
 After stating that the bills intro- duced by Assemblyman A. N. Andrew of Fresno, Senator J. B. Sanford of Ukiah and Assemblymn Grove L.. Johnson of Sacramento. are causing serious agitation, both here and in Ja- pan, and have been the subject of an address to the national authorities by the Japanese Government, the Govern or reviews the negotia tions between the two powers to stop immigration. The members of both branches sat silent He the message was being read and there was no demonstration at its con- clusion.
 The Governor received another te1e- gram this afternoon from President Roosevelt stating that letter Is on the way. The Governor said he did not know the nature of the communi- cation. but 1t probably deals with the Japanese question and will throw more light upon negotiations between Ja- pan and the United states.
 Extracts from Message.
 The message, In part. is as follows:
 ITO the Senat and Assembly of tho State of California.
 "There is certain legislation now pending before you which l believe to be of grave concern, not only to our State. but to the nation IS well. and which should be most thoughtfully considered before. 1t Is acted upon.
 Certain bills have been introduced. and some have been favorably reported by your committee, indirectly intended to effect the Japanese pcople--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 Government to them. They have prOduceH an agtta- tion not only in our own country. but throughout Japan, and the Japanese MinIster Of Farelgn, AfCairs has stated to the eutherlttes at Washingtnn If the bills should be paHaeds the. Gov- ernuient of Japasa lwoiilA consider If very efI:bArfassing."
 The Governor then reviews what has been done by the Government of the United States and Japan. resulting in a compact for the restriction of im- immigration, the provision of which, he says. Japan Is now carrying out. Fig ures are here given showing a decrease in the immigration of Japanese, and the Governor says he knows of nothing to sustain the assertion that the Ja- panese population of California Is in- creasing.
 The message continues. .=.es.
 To-day the relations between the Japanese and the United States are very friendly. Both are great powers among the nations of the world. Both stand in a position, geographically, to dominate and control the commerce of the Pacific. Acting together they can dictate the policies which other nations must pursue in the far East, and can preserve the trade there As friendly allies. many benefits will inure to both nations and a great commerce can be carried on between them to the ad- vantage of our people; but as enemies, the commerce of both can be driven from the ocean.
 ''Every reason, therefore. exists why there sh ould continue between Japan and our Govrnment the most friendly relations. and it Is the expressed wish of each nation that this shall be so.
 If the agreement, already made does not go far enough--that Is, if classes other than those enumerated herein should not have been included, then our Government should make that fact known to Japan and ask to have them included and present its reasons therefor. If such reasons are good - with desire to do what Is right, Ja- pan will, no doubt, consent to the re- quest made.
 The Governor says that the question of immigration is one for the Federal Government alone to settle. If it Is found that the Japanese coollie con- tinues to pour into the State, says the Governor, leasing and purchasing agricultural lands and changing white NA TawN fA fhA ment of the State and its citizens, then 1t Is the plain duty to call the atten- ton of the Government to the petition hat prompt action be taken in the matter.
 should Be Careful.
 while the settlement of the ques- tions of immigration are pending" he continues, we should be very careful about passing any legislation not ab- solutely necessary for our immediate protection, intended solely to affect the Japanese people. because In so doing we make the task which we expect our Government to perform, harder to achieve. We must remember that no law that this State can enact will stop Japanese immigration. Congress alone Is vested with authority to pass such Legislation and we must also recognize the fact that the Japanese among us are the SuD1SctS OI a LTlcuOIy udttOu and are entitled to the same treatment under our laws and to the same protect ton and immunities as are guaranteed to the subjects of the most favored na- tions.'
 Discussing the pending bill. the Governor says he sees no reason for barring aliens from becoming direct -ors of corporations and If such are to be discouraged from investing and are not to be permitted to own land in the State. the law making such pro vision should affect the subjects of all nations alike.
 What we want is to have the ques- ton of immigration settled amicably and settled right" says the Governor. and continues: "The President of the United States and the Secretary of War has Issued a warning against the pressing of any bills such as pro- posed. The warning should be needed This matter Is one in which the whole country is interested.
 T would. therefore recomtilend that a sufficient appropriation be made to enable the State to take a census showing the number of Japanese now in the State, the number classed as laborers and those chased as agricult- urists: the number of acres of land