Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1913-04-24
5000 Denounce CaIifornia's Alien
Land BILL
LOWER CLASS PARTICIPATED
Count Okuma Declares Only Chris
tianity Can Prevent Impending
COnflict-TO Seize the
Philippines.

brought about by the California aliel
land holding bill is becoming In
creasingly serious. A mass meet
ing today, composed for the mos
part of irresponsible people, de-
manded the most extreme measures
of retaliation by Japan. The sing
ing of war songs aroused the feel
ings OF many of the lower classes
who were present.
Anonymous writer's in the newspa-
pers give an outline OF plans for
the seizure of the Philippines and
Hawaii, and at the same time de-
nounce the Japanese governments
submissive attitude. 1t is said the
changed conditions in japan make
It impossible for the government to
restrain the newspapers and the
lower classes.
On the other hand, government
circles are showing friendly spirit.
Hamilton Wright Mabie of New
York, DR.. Peabody and John L.
Mott, secretary Of the international
committee of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association, were guests today
at a luncheon given by Baron No
boaki Maxine, the foreign minister,
at which some Of the most promi-
nent Japanese and Americans were
present. A very cordial feeling pre-
vailed.
Shortly after the luncheon Messrs.
Mabie, Peabody and Mott and a
number OF representative Japanese
christians and Americans met at
the residence of Count Shigenobu
Okuma, former premier and minis.
ter Of foreign affairs. Count Okuma
delivered a speech in which he said
that diplomacy, the courts and COM
mercial men were helpless and that
only the influence of christianity re-
mained. Otherwise, he declared,
war was impending.
Mr.. Mott agreed in replying that
the Influence Of christianity was now
superlative.
Dispatches were sent by the meet
ing to President Wilson and others,
imploring them to use all their
influence on Christians and thought
full people to avoid calamity.
At the great mass meeting Of pro-
test held here last night there was
a hysterical anti-American outburst.
Deputy Matsumura urged the dis
patch of a Japanese fleet to Califor-
mia as a first step toward establish
ing Japan on an absolutely equal
footing in the United States.
M. Miyake, an editor of the japan
deprecated the constant visits
here of American peace apostles
when their own country is in ur-
gent need of the principles of JUS
tice and humanity"
Other fiery orators insisted that
the questions between Japan and
America had better bet settled now,
once and for all. Otherwise their
constant recurrence would lead at
last to the arbitrament of war
Twenty thousand people listened
to the remarks Of the fire brands,
who apparently are engineering a
to mold public opinion in
Japan.
The foreign land ownership bill
passed by the Japanese diet in
March, 1910, prohibits foreigners
except under certain restrictions
from owning land in japan and they
may not own land at all in Sag
halieh, Formosa. Hokkaido or the
fortified zones. This law has never
been officially promulgated.
The Japanese government consid-
cred the present anti-Japanese move
ment in California as most danger
ous and is faced with the prospect
Of placing itself in a most unwel-
come position on account of unwill-
ngness Of the federal government
1t Washington to intervene and the
Of introducing counter
measures here.