The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-28
Sizzling Speech Against Japan
in Congress Today.
Representative SissOn OF Mis-
sissippi Gives His Views.
SPEND LAST DROP OF BLOOD
GSMust Preserve Rights OF
American Farmer" He Says.
House interrupted Talk by
Frequent Applause.

WASHINGTON, April 2s.-A war speech"
in support of the proposed California
anti-alien land law was delivered in
the house today by Representative SIS
son of Mississippi.
"If we must have war or submit TO
this indignity I am for war" cried Mr-
Sisson, "I am with the people of Cali
fornia in their efforts to prevent these
aliens from acquiring land.
Il believe" said Mr.. Sisson, that no
nonresident alien should be allowed TO
hold a single foot of land in the ter
ritory of the United States What
would washington say in answer TO
the question, war or submission? w nat
would Jackson say? What would CleVe-
land say? What would Mckinley say!
Il resen- the effort of Japan to force
US to submit to her demands
Sisson took the position that the
Japanese government in protesting
against alien land legislation was en-
deavoring to exempt it's citizens from
the operation from the laws of states.
"The president and secretary OF
state" said Mr.. Sisson, should only
assure an alien government that the
people of the alien nation would De
dealt with fairly in accordance with
the law of the state. Any other posi-
ton WOulQ lSdQ the 1eOSl oil
ment taking out from under the laws
of the states the citizens of another
nation. But all citizens or aliens resi-
dent in a state must be held subject
to its laws and to exempt the alien
would give him privileges over and
above those accorded to American citl-
zens.'
Japan Doing Same Thing.
Sisson discussed at length points of
To- in Ia
pute and declared that California was
endeavoring to do only what Japan had
already done
IF Japan now threatens us with war
what would she do when millions OF
her citizens have acquired land in our
country?" he said. Il lay down the
proposition that an alien population
holding land within our borders would
be a fixed and constant menace.
We must preserve to the America
farmer the right to own the soil of our
country without competition whlch
would drag down his standard of liv-
ing. 1 would not surrender 1t unless
we had spent the last drop of blood in
American manhood and inpoverish our
country for a hundred generations.
''Treaty-making can never deprive
the states of a reserved power
Advises Policy of Democrats.
This Democrat administration |
should announce with no uncertain |
tone to the world the doctrine that |
congress proposes to recognize the |
right of the people of the state to de- |
termine who shall own the land within
the state and that the United States
gOVernm ent will not prevent the states |
from making such land laws as they
see fit. provided they do not discrimi-
nate against citizens of the United
States.
IF the president and senate should
!
osition we will have internal broils at
home and enViouS international COM
plications and intermeddling into our
domestic concerns occasioned bv the
constant complaints of the alien land
owner to his government. l accord to
Japan all the equal rights with our
selves. I would as quickly resent a
demand from our government on
to own land in Japan contrary to the
laws of Japan as do now resent jap
ans efforts to compel us to submit to
her demands.
citizen of all our states to stand for
California and her rights in this fight
for her own citizens and their busi-
ness
House AppIauded Frequently.
Half the membership of the house
sat in amazement. Wearied with a
week of routine tariff debate, mem
bers paid close attention to Mr.. Sis
sons argument and applauded fire.
Quently.
Mann Points Out State Rights.
Representative Mann, the RepubIi-
can leader. s ggested that the United
States had the constitutional right To
treat with foreign powers to secure for
american citizens property rights
abroad and that Mr.. Sisson was con
tending that the foreign government
did not have a similar right. He con
tended the people of California had the
right to pass laws regarding aIie7
holding of land as in their judgments
seemed best when such laws did not
infringe on the fed l constitution.