New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
frrnm Tic Tribune Bureau J

fFrom The Tribune Bureau.
Washington. April 19.-That the
President regards the developments IN
the protest against the proposed anti
alien land legislation pending IN the
California Legislature as serious is H.
dicatcd by the fact that he has to-day
directed the Secretary Of state to take
the matter up with Governor Johnson
President Wilson strongly advises
against the use Of the words "incligl-
bic 10 citizenship in the proposed bill,
as such language is manifcstly aimed
at the japanese.
Governor johnson tclographed the
Department OF State urging the admin
istration not 10 put too much stress on
tho published reports about the anti
japanese feeling in California. HIS
message was received before Secretary
rryan sent him the telegram at the d.
rcction Of President Wilson.
The text of the message sent 10y Sec
rotary Bryan is as follows:
"Thc President directs me 10 say that
while he fully recognizes tho right of
the people of California TO lcgislatc ac-
cording to their judgment on the sub
joct of land tenure. he feels IL his duty
10 urge "A recognition of the internal
tional character Of such legislation.
Being anxious 10 preserve and
strengthen the long standing friendly
relation existing between this country
and the nations Of the orient, he very
respectfully but earnestly advises
against the use of the words ineligible
TO citizenship lie asks that YOU bring
this view To the attention of the lcgis-
Iators. lie believes the Senate bill as
telcgraphcd TO the Department of state
is greatly TO be preferred. That bill
limited ownership To citizens and TO
those who had declared their intention
to become citizens"
a Distinct Discrimination.
This telegram and other information
from official circles indicated clearly
that the provisions in the Assembly bill
were regarded here as a distinct
discrimination against japanese 10
whom at present the right OF natural
ization is denied. The language of the
Senate bill Is approved by the Prcsi-
dent, as he has discovered that this Is
the phrascology of the statutes already
i'm force in New York. Delaware. Kan
sas. Minnesota, Kentucky, Washington.
Missouri and the District Of Columbia
incidentally, all these laws make it im-
possible for japanese To own land until
they are able To declare their intention
of becoming citizens, a privilege which
the lower courts thus far have not
given them, on the ground that they
are not "of white or African descent"
by cnacting a law similar to those
in force in several states. California
would not cmbarrass the federal gov
eminent, because no protest hitherto
has been made against these statutes
and the whole roblem becomes one Of
naturalization. 1t is not unlikely. how
ever, that the japanese government
will now attempt TO have the question
of naturalization pressed to higher
courts.
Viscount Chinda, the japanese AM
bassador. to-day had long conference
about the situation with Secretary
Bryan. The Secretary had been keep
ing the Ambassador freely advised Of
49, nn I.sna t.I
ment TO preserve the treaty rights of
the Japanese, and accordingly made
known 10 hirl to-day the contents of
the message dispatched at the direc-
ton Of the President to Governor John
son.
AS Secretary Bryan knows the pre-
else nature Of the japanese objections
to the pending legislation, his recon-
mendation to Governor johnson IS
taken TO indicate that the Senate bill
is I'm such form that, thought not wei
come, ii might at least be tolerated by
the japanese government.
Secretary Bryan also was in confer
ence during the afternoon with Larz
Anderson, the retiring American AM
bassador to Japan, regarding the stu
alton in Toxic as he left 1t and the
probable extent of the anti-American
sentiment manifested there In mass
meetings and in the newspapers.
Los Angeles, April 19.-EXplalning UNI
usual Withdrawals within the last few
days, officials OF several japanese banks
of this city declared to-day their coun-
trymen were taking out their deposits to
perfect title to land within the state.
In view of the anti-alicn land holding
legislation pending at Sacramento IL was
said the japanese desired to obtain their
titles before any prohibtive bill might
be passed, and were rushing through the
deals they had been contemplating 10
that end