New-York tribune., 1911-01-13
IFrom The Tribune Bureaul

washington, January -
IRREPRESSIBLE CALIFORNIA.--Cali-
fornia is once more proving herself the
| enfant terrible i'm the sisterhood of states.
| threatening 10 enact legislation which may
/ seriously leopard the relations of this
country with Japan and incidentally, jeop-
9rding her own chances of securing the
Panama exposition. Members of Congress
who have seen the dignifed and reasonable
protest of the japanese Consul General at
san Francisco against the legislation pro-
posed at Sacramento assert that it is with
i'll grace that California comes to Wash
irgton 10 ask the sanction OF Congress Tor
a great international exposition when her
state authorities are taking steps when
may not only injure the friendly relations
Of this country with a nation with which
the United States Is at peace, but is even
going so contrary to the wishes of the fed
eral administration as to cause serious
anxiety in Washington. The present time,
it is declared. is peculiarly inopportune for
action by any state which will serve 10 irri-
tate the Japanese people and thus make
mere difficult the lGbors of the administra-
tions at Toxic ami Washington. More
o, er, in the estimation Of the administra-
t-oili tHCIe IL HO Necessity NhdttNSA AOi ''N
course which California is disposed 70
adopt because. as is clearly pointed out
by Consul General Matsuzo Nagai the i'm
migration of japanese laborers has prac-
tically ceased and the number in this coun-
try is diminishing rather than increasing
Tho delicate situation caused in the last
administration by the course of certain
California statesmen--that word is pro-
nounced In administration circles with an
intonation strikingly suggestive of "dema-
gogues"-is only too clearly recalled
situation which called for utmost diplomacy
on the part of President Roosevelt followed
by the crcamnavigating cruise OF the Al
lentic fleet, and It is earnestly hoped that
the conservative element in California VIII
be able TO check the present movement be-
fore an equally grave situation results.
NEEDED LAW.--The recurrence or
proposed anti-Japanese legislation in Cah-
fornia serves once more to emphasize
the necessity either OF law or OF an
amendment to the Constitution. II that be
needed which will effectively establish the
right Of the federal government TO pro-
hibit state legislation which violates the
rights OF foreign nations as guaranteed
by conventions Of the federal governments
President Taft called attention to the neces-
sity of something Of this kind in his an
nual message Of this year. having pointed
out the necessity first in his inaugural adj
dress three years ago. In this years mes
sage the President said: with our increas-
ing international Intercourse, il becomes
incumbent upon me to repeat more en-
Ia, m
which made in my inaugural address that
Congress shall at once give to the courts
Of the United States jurisdiction to punish
as a crime the violation of the rights OF
aliens secured by treaty with the United
States, in order that the general govern
ment of the United States shall be able,
when called upon by a friendly nation, to
redeem its solemn promise by treaty to Sc
cure to the citizens or subjects OF That
nation resident in the United States free
dom from violence and due process or
law In respect TO their life, liberty and
property" Senator Root, when he was
Secretary of State, laid great emphasis
on this necessity, and It has been suggested
that there is no member OF Congress VINO
could better frame such law as the Presi-
dent desires With respect TO the statutory
enactments Of the several states, however
there is a somewhat delicate constitutional
question involved. and it may even be
necessary TO amend that instrument be-
fore the federal government shall enjoy
fun authority to compel entire respect from
the states for its treaty obligations
PANAMA FORTIFICATIONS.- the
special message which the President sent
TO Congress to-day urging an immediate
appropriation to begin the work of fortify-
ing the Panama Canal he sent the esti-
mate Of the board of engineers charged
with the preparation of plans for this work.
II Is of interest TO note that the plans call
for eight fourteen-inch and twelve siX-inch
rifles. with twenty-four twelye-inch NOR
tars. This armament would he divided about
equally between the Atlantic and Pacific
entrances and prove sufficient TO defend
the entrance Of the canal from any attack
bv water as well as 20 form support for
our own naval feet should II be required
TO attack on emerging from either entrance
of the canal. The cost Of fertilization, az
now estimated. is .l2,475,328. which is al
most 100000 less than was originally estl-
mated The present figure amounts TO