The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-27
LABOR MEN WANT
7 ANTI JAPANESE
LEGISLATION
GROVE L. JOHNSON, SAN FRAN
CISCO DELEGATE, LEADS IN
FIGHT FOR BlLLS-oillETT
CAUTIONS LEGISLATURE.

SACRAMENTO. Cal, Jan. 81
Gov. Gillett has transmitted 10 the
Legislature a special message In which
he urges the utmost deliDeration In
dealing with the Japanese situation.
He points TO the suggestions or Presi'
dent Roosevelt that no drastic legisla-
ton be enacted, aud concurs In the
presidents remarks. saying It Is OF
vital importance that peaceful con-
ditions prevail on the Pacific SO the
commerce OF both America and Japan
can be developed. The japanese i'm
migration into California is not in
creasing. he declares.
Gov. Gillett's message has crystal
! lized the sentiment for and against the
bills which were introduced by Drew
end Johnson, against which the presi-
dent enlisted the services OF the gov
ernor. The president, in q message to
the governor. said 1t would be danger
Gus TO enact laws that might be con-
strued as discriminatory by the Jap
Gnese.
|
segregating Japanese In residential
quarters at the option OF municipal
ties, moved. when the measure came
up for third reading. that IT me made
special order for today. Two OF the
Japanese measures will be before the
lower house today and the whole issue
will likely be divided. The bill Of A.
n. Drew, denying aliens the right TO
hold land, was set for consideration
today AT the request OF the author,
after the governor had indicated that
he desired such legislation held up.
Speaker Stanton and the assembly
organization are against all OF the
bills objected 10 by the national az
ministration. The fight for them will
come from Grove H. Johnson, San
Francisco delegate, and those assem-
blymen who have many union labor
constituents
The message in part is as follows:
TO the senate and assembly OF the
state OF California: There Is certain
legislation now pending before you
which | believe to be OF grave con-
Germ, not only to our state, but to the
nation as well. and which should be
most thoughtfully considered before
ii Is acted upon.
Certain bills have been introduced.
some Of which have been fayorably
reported by your committee, indirect
ly 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 government to them.
They have produced an agitation
not only in our own country, but
throughout Japan, and the Japanese
minister of foreign affairs has stated
to the authorities at Washington that
IL the bills should he passed. the gov
eminent of Japan would consider II
very embarrassing.
The governor then reviews what
has been done by the governments of
the United States and Japan. resulting
in a compact for the restriction oil
immigration. the provisions of which
he says Japan is now carrying out.
Figures are here given showing de-
crease in the immigration of Japanese
and the governor says he knows OF
nothing to sustain the assertion that
the Japanese population of California
Is increasing. The message con
tinues:
Relations Are Friendly.
To-day the relations between the
United States and Japan are very
friendly Both are great powers
among the nations of the world. Both
stand in 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 advantage Of our people,
but, rs enemies, the commerce OF both
can be driven from the ocean. Every
reason, therefore exists why there
should continue between Japan and
our government the most friendly re-
lations, and 1t Is the expressed wish
Of each nation that this shall be so.
III the agreement already made
does not go far enough, that Is, II
classes other than these 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 II such reasons are
good and sufficient then, in all fair.
ness and with a desire to do what Is
right, Japan will, no doubt. consent TO
the request made"
The governor says that the question
is one for the federal government
alone to settle.
Nation Should Act.
IF 1t is found that the Japanese
coolie continues to pour into the
state" says the governor, leasing
and purchasing agricultural lands and
changing white settlement TO Japan
csc TO the detriment of the state and
its citizens, then it is the plain duty
TO call attention OF the government
to the situation that prompt action
be taken In the matter.
While the settlement OF the Ques-
tions of immigration is pending we
should be very careful about passing
any legislation not absolutely neces-
sary for our immediate protection, in
! tended solely to AFFECT the Japanese
/ people who are lawfully among us,
! because in so doing we make the task
which We expect our government 20
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