The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-03-27
BARON UcHiDA EXPRESSED MA
TioN's WISHES REGARDING
LEGISLATION.
IAND OWNERSHIP BILL
Gov. johnson OF California, Has Been
Worried Concerning Affairs--Ap-
peal Against Agitation--Jap-
an Has Many Fears.


Washington, March 2G, There Is q
rumor in Washington tonight that
Japan mas protested to the United
States against impending anti-Japarl-
ese legislation n California;.
1t Is known absolutely that urgent
dispatches were sent yesterday from
the state department. to Gov. Johnson
OF California, thar these dispatches
related to Japan, and that they we're
sent with the consent and approval
OF President Taft Dispatches from
California stated that the commune
cations from the state department TO
Gov. Johnson were In the nature of ap
peals against any anti-Japanese agi-
tatloa or legislation at this time. In
| California, Gov. Johnson was repre-
scnted ais that he would be willing
TO make prblic the communications
liz President Tat consented. AT the
White House II was declared that IL
was not dest-ed to have the dis
patches made public at tfSs time.
Secretary Of State Knox win be
back RI Washington on Monslay, when
he and the president will confer on
the situation. Some statement may
then te made. The fact that Baron
uchiGa, tho Japanese ambassador,
called on tae president on Wednesday
land that within two days after B5s
call these DISPATCHES were sent, is
what leads to the broad conjecture
that Japan has at least hid before
the administration representation
regarding pending measures In Cali
fornia
The international News Service ror
respondent learns that one Of tie
measures, which II is feared is ioasl-
eI with dynamite, concerns the al n
ownership Of land. Japan has fear
/ that This I'LL viii be legeled speciii-
! cally against hep citlzens-tnat II viii
contain a specific restriction against
owne ship of llad IN California by
Japanese subjects, or that VI Will ne
retroactive and that in consequence
tho japanese who already own land
in California viii, in the event OF tac
passage OF the proposed law, be COM
PEELED to dispose of their holdings at
a sacrifice. There Is reason to be-
'ieve that Japan would be satisfied II
the law would provide restrictions
simply against aliens without regafi
to their race or nationality. In that
event all nations would be treated
\ alike and Japan would be able to cor
operate with the representatives OF
other nations In arranging for pro-
lection against any possible retroac-
tive features Of the law.
Secretary of State Knox and GOV.
Johnson of California, ii IS understood
had a conference not long ago with re
f; gard to this proposed legislation.
II Is known that both the president
{ and Secretary Knox feel that the in
ability of the federal government to
control the states in matters that
i might affect he treaty obligations OF
the former Is a weakness in our form
of government and it is not improb-
, able that President Taft al some time
o In the near future may make recon-
mendations to congress on this sub
, ieet.
, AT the time the president took Of
/, flee former President Roosevelt had
just come through a dispute with
the officials of California on this
point of anttJapanese legislation and
| Mr.. Taft in Flis inaugural address
] laid stress upon the necessity, as he
expressed 1t. of some Legislation that
would remedy the condition
The element OF gravity In the situ'
alton lies in the fact that II Califor.
MIA insists upon enacting what is
STYLED antiJapanese legislation. she
being sovereign state, the federal
!, government is powerless to prevent
It. California can do as she pleases
tnough all the time Japan may hold
the United tatSes accountable ans
shape her course accordingly.