The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-12
NO ALARM FELT
President Wilson Talks Plainly
on Jap Matter.
Webb Bill Does Not Violate
the Treaties.
AWAITING JOHNSOk'S WORD
Answer to Bryan's Appeal for
Repeal Soon.
Is United States Shifting Re-
sponsibility by Delay?

not in an alarming stage but that the
interchange of views thus far had been
along frank and friendly lines calcu-
lated to remove the appearance of dis
elimination against japanese subjects
The president, discussing the sub
ject informally today, took the posi-
ton that the webb bill would not vio-
late the treaty between. Japan and the
United States He intimated that
Japan's protest was not founded upon
a claim that the treaty would be
broken in any way but upon the teeI-
ing that there was an effort to dis
eliminate against Japan on the ground
of their alleged ineligibility to citizen
ship.
The president revealed that the
question of naturalization had not yet
entered the discussion with the
Japanese ambassador but, that OF
course underlying the bill, it was re
allied that federal courts had not hnal-
ly passed upon the question of el1gl-
bility.
1t was on basis that Japanese were
not accorded the p ivileges of citizen
ship that the appearance OF dlscrlmln-
alton in the bill had arisen and it was
intimated at the White House that for
the present, the hope was that the leg
islation in California either would be
vetoed by Governor johnson or de-
layed by a referendum to permit
smoothing over some features of the
situation, President Wilson endeavor-
ed to make it plain that the greatest
frankness had prevailed between the
two governments, even to the aban-
donment of many diplomatic formali-
ties.
The conferences thus far between
Secretary Bryan or President wilson
and the Japanese ambassador were de- |
scribed as being those of one gentle |
man to another. Intimations that the
Japanese protest itself was couched
in neither vigorous nor aggressive |
language, but was formal and friendly |
in character came from the president |
himself during his talk today, and 1t |
was pointed out that the phrase. "a
very earnest protest." employed by !
Secretary Bryan in his message to |
Governor johnson was the description |
of the note which the American gov |
eminent had entertained rather than |
the emphasis of the Japanese ambas- |
sador.
The president was disposed to talk |
freely of the subject and appeared |
confident that a satisfactory adjust |
ment would be accomplished.
Secretary Bryan's Appeal.
Washington. May 1.-THE fact that |
Secretary Bryan has made an appeal
to Governor johnson of California to /
veto the anti-alien land law, mas
much as the governor had unofficially,
at least, repeatedly declared his pur-
pose to sign the bill as it passed the
legislature is taken in official circles
here as indicating either that some
powerful influences have been brought
TO pear upon the governor IN the IN
terest of delay, or, and more probably
that the Wilson administration is per-
fecting its record.
In this action there may be dou-
BILE purpose, first to satisfy Japan that
the federal government has done all
it can to prevent the legislation under
its constitutional limitations, of which
many diplomats contend Japan should
have been aware when it entered into
treaty relations, and secondly to place
f6a e |
mia the responsibility for any serious
outcome of the alien land legislation.
AS the legislature is near the end of
its session it is expected that Cover
nor Johnson'S reply will be forth
coming today or tomorrow. If he
yields to Secretary Bryan's appeal the
element of urgency will be removed,
as japanese land owners in California
will not be in immediate danger of
losing their property and the state de-
partment can at its leisure embark
upon negotiations with the Japanese
embassy for new treaty to replace
that of 1911 and provide some per-
manent means of adjustment of the
rights of the citizens of one country
resident in the other.
1t has been suggested that possibly
by a flat declaration that neither
country shall admit the right of citi-
gems of the other to hold land in its
territories the Japanese may be sat
isfied.
Should Governor Johnson decide to
sign the bill Notwithstanding federal
opposition, legal proceedings are al
most certain to follow the first at
tempt of the California authorities to
escheat the property of the Japanese
land holders. Probably an issue could
be made Immediately by some such
land holder undertaking to transfer his
land to another japanese in California.
Bryan's Message to California
|
was framed after a conference with
the president:
1.-THE president directs me to express
his appreciation of your courtesy in
before you until its provisions could
be communicated to the japanese gov
eminent and considered by it.
His excellency, Baron Chinda, has,
on behalf of his government, pre-
sented an earnest protest against the
measure as you have before you but
two alternatives, viz; to approve or,
to veto avail nothing to recall to your
attention the amendments suggested
to the legislature, and as the preSi-
dent has already laid before you his
views upon the subject, it is unneces-
gary to reiterate them. He passes
over questions affecting treaty rights
for two reasons, first, because the bill
intended to conform to treaty obliga-
tions, and, second, because any con-
fict complained of would be a matter
for the courts, but the president feels
justified in expressing again his de-
sire that action on the subject be
deferred for this session, and again
expresses the desire the more freely
because the legislature can be recon
vened at any time if the welfare of
the state requires it, He is fully
alive to the importance of removing
any root of discord which may create
antagonism between American citizens
and the subjects of Oriental nations
L. III ~ !