Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-29
APPEALS TO CALIFORNIA
TO DELAY LEGISLATION
Situation Regarded as Having
Reached Stage Where There Should
Be No Public Disclosures.
CHANGE IN SENTIMENT NOTED
First Conference Between Secretary
Bryan and the Legislators in
California Is Without Results.
Another Is Called.

With two telegrafns from Secretary
Bryan before him. President Wilson this
morning gave long consideration to the
Acknowledgements situation. The Presi-
dent early sent for John Bassett Moore.
acting secretary of state in the absence
of Mr.. Bryan. More than an hour was
taken in analyzing the kilograms. and
the President then went to his office to
NIL some appointments intending to re-
sumo consideration of the California prob
lem later in the day At the cabinet meet
ing the President went further into the
subject with cabinet advisers, including
secretary Lane, who is from California
Mr.. Moore remained in the cabinet room
for consultation
The President, it was said in we'll in
formed circles. will not recede from his
Position that 1t Is the part of national
honor 10 faithfully abide by International
ooi1gations. and that California should
temporarily postpone the legislation she
mas In mind until the national govern
ment can find way to amicably ar
range the matter-probably through new
treaties with Japan
Those close to Mr.. Wilson feel that he
as In a position not personally pleasant.
His attitude is official. He came into
office and found the existing treaty with
Japan. He feels that a treaty is inter-
national law and should be SO regarded
Dy every state. On the other hand he
Is personally believer in states rights
IN the handling of problems like the
one California is wrestling with. and can
well understand the feelings of what is
probably majority of the people Of Cali
fornia.s
No Disclosure of Purpose.
There was no disposition at the White
s~l,
answers to Mr.. Bryan are or will be.
There was a tendency to regard the sit
uation having reached its most deli
cate period. and therefore shutting
down of the avenues of news was nec-
essary. The President must cope with
an infiamed feeling in Japan and its
possibilities, and with rising wrath in
sentiment throughout the country to-
ward the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude
assumed by many Japanese people.
Distinctly noticeable among White
House callers is a rather rapid change
of sentiment toward this question the
President is coping with. For a long
time statesmen and visitors generally
did not mention it, other topics being of
talk at Toxic mass meetings visitors
were inclined to pass up the doings in
California and Japan. but there has come
q decided change, the unofficial atmos-
phere around the White House indicating
that the Japanese have done most too
much threatening and have shown belli-
cose feelings that at first We're surprising
here and later being resented
There has been a strong feeling that
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan
would be able to adjust the controversy
the japanese people will cease bellicose
utferances and the government there will
endeavor TO hold down displays of i'll
feeling that Is likely to provoke the peo-
pie In this country to sympathy with Cal
.fornia. Threats. il was today pointed
out. like badly placed matches and
may start confiagration that Presiden,
Wilson will have difficulty in handling
Bryan's'Statement Interpreted.
Secretary Bryan's statement in Cali
fornia that in event of the passage of
legislation in defiance of the Presidents $
advice, he would feel obliged to do every
thing possible Ito minimize the i'll feeling
that may be aroused is regarded here as
marking a purpose on the part of the
government to become an intervenor with
the Japanese in any suit which they may
bring before the federal courts to nulli-
~ the action Cf the California legislature
Assuming that OF the questions
which Mr.. Bryan has transmitted to the
President for the California Legislature
Is as to the probable time for negotiating
new treaty with Japan. and just how
such a convention could be framed To
meet the views Of California without
being objectionable TO Japan il may be
said that such method OF settling the
present ISSUE already has been given
some consideration.
Purpose OF the Treaty
Tine existing japanese treaty was in
tended To meet a temporary need in
quieting the unrest on the Pacific coast
over the school question. Neither party
has been satisfied with its workings and
il is remarkable for its omissions com
pared with other treaties of trade and
commerce.
For instance. probably no provision for
the requirement and holding Of land by
ether Americans or Japanese-not even
the extremely limited favored nation
clause-coverS the usual common Law
right in such matters. and. singular To
say, there il no provision whatever
against discrimination. When Secretary
Bryan started for California ne was
aware he must rely on their patriotism
and patience TO assist the national gov
ernment in solving the present difficulty
by diplomatic. means.