Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-04-29
BRYAN Fails TO CHANGE attitude
Of THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS


ana Secretary Bryan seated with
Governor johnson and Speaker G. c.
Young of the assembly, on the plat
form. Secretary Bryan was introduc-
ed and in brief statement asked the
conference TO tell him the exact sit
uatiou,
Il was sent to Sacramento at the
request of President WILSON," said
Mr.. Bryan TO consult with the gov
ernor and the members OF the legis-
Alure on the pending alien land leg
islation. | am more Interested In
the methods to be employed than in
the end to be attained, and | would
be pleased to hear suggestions from
any Of you before speaking further"
Senator Boynton, administration
floor leader, thanked Mr.. Bryan on
behalf Of the legislature for his visit.
lie then outlined the situation for the
visitor, saying IN part:
AT the time President Wilson S
telegram was received last week an
nouncing the wish to send Secretary
OF state Bryan TO confer with the
legislature, there were two bills on
this subject before the senate.
1T was apparent that the people
Of the state were strongly in favor Of
the enactment of an alien land law.
and such law probably would have
been passed before this time If it had
not been for the telegram from the
president. At his request we post
poned further consideration of the
measure before Mr.. Bryan could be
present and present his views
Senator Boyton then requested Mr..
Bryan to point out specifically the
objections of the national govern
ment and Of Japan to the pending
measures and to give his reasons
from diplomatic standpoint why
California should not enact such
law, When MI Bryan remained 81
lent other members of the majority
party urged him to comply with the
request. Senator Caminetti, demo-
crat, suggested that a small group of
members from both houses be select
ed to hear Mr., Bryan's arguments,
but Boynton protested and carried
his point
After several others had spoken,
many OF them quoting statistics to
show the increase in land holdings
by Japanese in recent years. Secre-
tary Bryan arose. His first state
ment was concerning the secret con
ference, which he said he favored
With the support of Governor John
son and the presiding officers of
both houses, Secretary Bryan said he
could speak with more frankness to
the members than he could to a
promlscuOus audience"
''As a representative OF the presi-
dent, he began, Il feel keenly the
responsibility that is placed upon me,
would have preferred to have him
come himself as the neau or the ma
ton. but that seemed impossible and
he delegated me to speak for him. !
do not pretend TO do other than ex-
press his views. l am simply his
spokesman and | will say to you only
that which he would have me say
"As to the constitutionality of our
treaty with Japan, you will pardon
me If l decline to act as the supreme
court. Further, as to the question OF
immigration, | think we can consid-
er that question as Independent of the
land question with which we are here
concerned"
Questions concerning the treaty
and the immigration of japanese to
the United States had been asked
during the debate.
Continuing Mr.. Bryan said
Il have listened to what you have
said and | assume everything to be
true; that you have not overdrawn
or exaggerated the feeling of the
people of California in the matter.
! can assume that the people de-
mand that something be done
In that case the first question is
whether the legislation IS demanded
at this time. If it can be delayed
then the first suggestion that the
president would have me make is
that YOU permit an effort to be made
to deal with the question diplomati-
cally. with a view to reaching the
same results without legislation.
"lf the demand is immediate that
this cannot be done. can action be
deferred for two years, and In the
meantime have a commission APP
pointed to investigate conditions and
act with the executive? Would II
not be worth while to try this plan
before you adopt the plan that might
result in unfriendliness with the ma
ton?
II am not going to indulge In any
speculation as to what may happen
IL you do anything now. but | am
here to advise against the use Of any
language that would offend any peo-
pie that have dealings with u.s."
lie WOULDN'T PAY THE DUTY.