Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-04-22
WILSON PROTESTS
TO GOV. JOHNSON
ABOUT JAPAN BILL
Begs California Not to Bring
United States Into Dis
credit With World.
mo OBJECTION TO LAW
OF GENERAL IMPORT"
But Legislation Aimed at Ja-
pan Alone, Says President, Is
''lnvidious Discrimination"

WASHINGTON, April 22.-President
Wilson after a conference with the
Democratic delegation from California
In Congress today decided to tele.
graph Governor johnson and legisla.
tive leaders in California appealing
to them not to enact any anti-alien
land laws in contravention of treaty
obligations of the United States with
Japan.
The telegram was as follows: 81
speak upon the assumption, which
am sure is well founded, that the peo-
pie of California do not desire their
representatives-an that their repre-,
sentatives do not wish or intend-ip
any circumstances, to embarrass the
government of the United States in
it's dealing with a nation with whom
IL has most earnestly and cordially
sought to maintain relations of genu-
inc friendship and goodwill, and that
least of all do they desire to do any
thing that might impair treaty obli-
cations or cast a doubt upon the
bOAiOl anu 6oOd latin VI bAC haitOh
and its government.
Appeals with Confidence.
Il, therefore. appeal with the ut
most confidence, to the people, the
Governor and the Legislature of Cali
fornia, to act in the matter now un-
der consideration in manner that
cannot from any point of view be
fairly challenged or called in ques-
ton.
IF they deem it necessary to ex-
clude all aliens who have not de-
clared their intentions to become citi-
zens from the privilege of land own
ership, they can do so along lines al
ready followed in the laws of many
of the other States and of many for
eign countries, including Japan her
self.
''Invidious discrimination will in
evitably draw in question the treaty
obligations of the government of the
United States. l register my very
earnest and respectful protest against
discrimination in this case, not only
because | deem 1t my duty to do so
as the chief executive of the nation,
but also, and the more readily, be-
cause | believe the people and the
legislative authorities of California
will generously respond the moment
the matter is. frankly presented to
them as a question of national policy
and of national honor.
IF they have ignored this point of
view it is, I am sure, because they
did not realize what and how much.
was involved"
The California Democratic con-
gressional delegation, consisting of
Representatives Kettner, Baker and
Church, called on the President about
appointments today, but Mr.. Wilson
deferred that subject and immediate
ly took up the alien land situation.
No Desire to Encroach.
He told his visitors that he had no
desire to seem to be in any way en-
croaching upon the sovereign right
of California to legislate as she
pleased, but that he felt it was his
duty to call the attention of the
leaders in the State to the interna-
tional question involved.
Mr.. Raker told the President that
If his course in appealing to the Leg
islature proved futile, it's influence
might be to cause the submission of
any law passed to a referendum. The
President is said to be confident that
the people of California if they had
an opportunity to vote on the meas
ure. would not approve a law which
the Federal government pointed out
was in violation of the treaty obli-
tions.
.1Today's telegram to Governor
johnson, which was duplicated to the
President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House Of the Assem-
bly, was carefully considered by Sec
retary Bryan and members of the
Cabinet yesterday. The whole ques-
ton was debated again today at the
Cabinet meeting.