New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-06
WILSON EMBARRASSED
BY JAPANESE PROTEST
Delicate Situation ControntS
Administration Because OF
CALIFORNIA; Land Bill.
STATE BOUND TO PASS u
Secretary Bryan Told He VIII
Have a Hard Time Blocking
Measure - Cabinet to
Take Up the Matter

Washington, April "a delicate situa-
;ion confronts the Wilson administrations
as a result OF the protest of the japanese
Ambassador against the proposed alien
land bill in the California Legislature, as
word has reached the Department Il
State that there is n strong sentiment
throughout California for the passage Of
tho measure Tud that IL has the approval
of Governor Hiram Johnson, who was
the Progress - candidate for Nice-Prcsi-
dent
Representatives Raker. Kettner, Curry.
KnOwland and Hayes called on the Sec
retafy OF State this afternoon and told
him of the sentiment existing In Cali
fornIs While The members of.Congress
would not discuss the subject for publica- p
ton. they made II plain that majority
favored the legislation which is objection
able 10 Japan. and further intimated That
Secretary Bryan would have a hard time
blocking the passage Of the bill.
Members OF the delegation declared that,
regardless of consequences. the people OF
California were determined to break up
the japanese colonies In the farming
sections and TO reserve the state for
American labor and American landlords.
Secretary Bryan insists that no formal
protest against the bill in question has
been fled by the japanese Ambassador.
but il Is known that the ambassador po-
litely informed him that such legislation
would be Objectionable to Japan. Formal
protest would surely be Forthcoming
should the bill be passed, and this IS IN
derstood TO have been told 10 Mr.. Bryan.
The question will be brought up at the
Cabine; meeting next Tuesday, and II Is
believed President Wilson will then take
an active part in solving the problem.
Sacramento. Cal, April 1.-The protest
OF tho japanese Ambassador against the
uroposed alien land Law in California was
not unexpected By the leaders in the Leg
islaturc. who have been most active N
support OF the bill Such action was pre-
dicicd several weeks ago by representa-
tivos 81 the Panama-Pac!lc Exposition.
who told the Senate Committee on Jul
dietary that adyiccs from Toxic showed
the hostility with which Japan would
view such a law.
Governor Johnson said to-day he had
not vet received from Washington any
communication IN tho matter, and had
taken no steps 70 check what appears %
he a landslide IN favor Of the bill He
said. however. that /, was the plan 70
draft a law that would be effective and
at the same time preserve the treaty
rights OF foreigners
Senator L. 5. B.rdsall, OF Auburn. au-
thor Of one OF the bills now pending. Is
working daily with the Attorney General
on a substitute bill. which is being framed
along the lines OF the federal statute
barring aliens from ownership OF land m
the territories OF the United States.
Il would give respectful consideration
TO any message from the state Depart
mont as a matter OF courtesy" Senator
Birdsall said to-day. but that does not
mean | would he convinced. We expect
to have q final draft OF the bill completed
very soon