The Washington times., 1913-04-20
RAKERSAYS' JAP'"''""
j BILL WILL PASS
California Congressman Asserts.
People Of State Are Eager
to Settle Problem.
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ton Of the problem will be found along
the line mapped out in his telegram to
Governor johnson. ...
1t is the idea of MIR. Raker that the
California legislature should enact a
law and that Japan, if she feels her
treaty rights are invaded, should
carry the controversy 10 the Supreme
Court. He is keeping in close touch
with the situation through kilograms
from friends in the legislature.
Dispatches from Sacramento convey
intimations that the defeat of anti
alien land legislation may be brought
about because of the letter which Presi-
dent Wilson has sent to Governor John
son through Secretary of State Bryan.
In this letter, the Administration en-
phasizes the gravity of the situation,
expresses desire for continued friend
ship with Japan, and takes the view
that if the legislation is enacted, il
should omit the words ineligible to
aliens alike.
Should the legislature follow this idea,
while IL would cause a protest from
Europeans who have interests in Cali
fornia, there is no question it would be
valid and strictly within the provisions
of the treaty. Wide difference of opin-
ion exists in the California legislature
whether this course should be taken.
Faction Is Split.
Temporarily, at least, 1t has divided
the advocates of alien land legislation,
and for that reason there is talk that
all attempts at legislation may fail. The
Thompson -Birdsall bill, which is pend |
ing, would limit land holding to citizens
and those who have declared their in
tention to become citizens. II such a
bill is passed, the Federal Government
cannot help it and. as viewed by good
lawyers Japan would have no recourse
under the treaty.
That the people of California, as n |
rule want legislation enacted, is the
feeling of most of the members of the
California delegation here. They say
people in the East do not understand
the situation.
Congressman Stephens of Los Angeles
said there was strong opposition in Cali
fornia TO the unlimited acquiring OF
land by the japanese. He pointed out
that there would be no particular OBJ +,
lection to their acquiring small hold |
inge. but added:
'aThe Japanese have a strong DISPOSE |
tion to acquire land. In the Sacramen-
to valley there are some of the richest
lands In the world. Naturally, the Cali |
fornia people do not want to see these |
pass into the hands of foreigners. The |
Japanese, on the other hand, are eager
10 get them"
Seek Elsewhere
Elsewhere in the State, the japanese |
are also seeking land. 1t appears the |
land hunger of the japanese is as great
as that of the Anglo-Saxon. The two |
rival appetites for real estate have
clashed.
n spite of much alarrnist and jingo
talk in Japan, by certain elements |
there. the Government here takes a
calm view. President Wilson and Secre- |
tary Bryan take no stock in war talk.
They realize that California has certain |
rights which cannot be invaded by the |
Federal Government and also under |
stand how the people of California feel. |
But they want relations with Japan to |
continue friendly, and for that reason !
are using their good offices to straighten
ont a tangle that might lead to grave |
results IL neglected.
The desirable way to settle the con-
troversy would be to have it carried
to the Supreme Court It is clear to
those Xho have given study to the sit |
uatioh that the question cannot be per-
manently shifted or evaded. 1t has to
be settled sooner or later. California
has never been willing to permit the
unrestricted ownership of property by
Orfentals, and II the proposed legislation
should fail this time II would bob up
at the next meeting of the Legisla- |
-ture.
No Cause For War.
Should California enact a general law
against alien landholding, especially
on barring all aliens from holding land, |
there would be absolutely nothing
raised in the nature of causus belli, |
as viewed by1international law experts |
The treaties between nations. as a rule. |
carefully refrain from bartering away |
the right OF a country to bar aliens |
from landholding.
The only source of danger in the |
present situation lies in the reckless |
clamor for war on the part Of lingo |
element in Japan and that part of the |
japanese press which allies Itself with |
that jingo element Should that ele- !
ment overturn the government and put |
ahu-American leaders in power, then |
there would be situation OF the utmost |
gravity.
One Of the remarkable phases of the |
whole matter Is that the japanese ques- |
non snouId again nave broken out in |
acute form just at the time when Sec |
retary Bryan IL advocating a policy of |
peace and disarmament.
Causes Embarrassment.
This is a cause of embarrassment to |
the President and the Secretary of |
State. The advocates OF the big navy
are laughing in their sleeves at the pre-
dicament in which Secretary Bryan
finds himself. They do not hesitate 20
say that the Secretary and those Demo-
Gratis in the House who have been try
ing TO block the building up of the navy
are likely TO have their eyes opened
before the Administration gets from
under the load put on II by the Cali
fornia land-holding agitation.
Considerable quiet satisfa ction is
gathered from the developments by the
believers in getting rid OF the Philip
pines. Every time anything occurs
that leads TO the slightest talk or
trouble with Japan, the strategic impos
sib;lities OF the Philippines are empha-
sized.
The United States could not defend
them successfully. save as a superior
feet might do IL, and the advocates Of
independence. while entertaining no be-
lief Of the interruption OF good relations
with Japan. feel that every episode like
the California trouble makes converts
TO the cause of turning the islands
adr1ft =. =. '- l
Both the Mexican and the Japanese
situations are being watched. carefully
b ythe State and War Departments to-
day. Secretary of War Garrison briefly
visited his office and paid visit TO the