The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-11
CASE Of JAPANESE
AGAINST MEASURE
CONSIDERED WEAK
Bryan Has Conference With
Chinda and Prepares
Message
EXPECT GOVERNOR
TO IGNORE IT
Wilson Wishes to Remove
Cause for Friction But
Will Probably Defend
California in End

California IN End
WASHINGTON. May 10.--Gover.
nor Johnson tonight became the
pivotal figure in the California-Jap-
anese issue, when President Wilson
decided to make a final appeal to the
governor to veto the alien land bill
passed week ago tonight by the
California legislature. This decision
was reached following the full pres-
entation of the Japanese case by Ann
bassador Chinda, and his insistenco
upon immediate action by the federal
administration.
Secretary of State Bryan was
charged with the drafting of a mes
sage to Governor johnson, which
shall set forth the objections to the
California legislation. as presented hy
tomorrow.
johnson VIII Not Yield
There is little expectation here that
Governor johnson will be induced by
the message to veto the alien land
bill. He will be informed. howevAr,
in Mr. Bryan's message of the conn
plete statement of the Japanese side
of the case, and thus put In q posi-
ton where he must accept full re-
sponsibility for his act, in case he
signs the measure.
1t became evident today that willis
the attitude of the Japanese govern
ment as represented by its ambasna-
dor here, is one Of vigorous irsiateneo
upon prompt action by the federal
government. that Of President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan II leaning to-
ward delay.
Today's developments also indi-
Gated that while the president VIII
seek by every legitimate means 70
prevent the California bill from b.
coming a law, that he In prepartuR
for a defense OF that State, should
Governor Johnson sign the measure.
The best legal opinion here n that
the Japanese case against the bill Il
not a good one. Consequently, Press
| ident Wilson is preparing to adopt q
position wherein he must oppose the
Japanese contentious In spite OF the
fact that while the California legis-
fature was in process of considers
ton. he urged Difference to Japanese
views.
Japan Rests Its Case.
| The Japanese ambassador rested
his case with the United States to-
day in an hours discussion with Sec
| rotary of State Bryan. His formal
protest having been presented yes
terday. Viscount Chinda devoted hip
talk with Mr.. Bryan this morning to
lengthy argument In support OF
the views of his government He at.
tackled the proposed California law
| not only as involving q technical vio-
| latton OF the treaty Of 1911, regpect.
f, ing the rights of Japanese to hold
| property in the United States. but
also as contrary to the general spirit
OF equality of privileges. which he
maintains the treaty contains
Mr.. Bryan contented himself DUR
Ing this conference with assuring the
| am AMBASSADOR OF the good will OF tho
United States in the premises, and
OF the disposition of the president to
DO all within his power to prevent
| any State from acting in a manner
offensive to japanese sensibilities He
gave the ambassador an unequivocal
assurance that the president Ia de-
sermined that the treaty rights OF
.apanese subjects shall be respected
throughout the United States.
Upon the return of President W.T..
son from an excursion to Mount ver-
non. this afternoon, Secretary BRYAN
mad long talk with him at the White
House.
1t was late in the afternoon when
the president and Secretary Bryan an.
ished their conference. The secretary
returned to his Office to draft the mes
sage 70 Governor johnson, but did NOT
complete 1t. He had Z dinner en-
gagement for this evening, which
forced him to postpone sending the
presidents communication to Govern
or johnson until tomorrow. When n
| Is sent 1t Is the intention OF the pres
ident to make the message public.
Chinda Wants Publicity.
The Japanese embassy let IL -
known today that 1t would expect Tho
president or Mr.. Bryan to issue soma
sort OF a statement which would In
form the American public Of thosH
trend Of the discussions between the
two governments. 1t Is no secret her9
that the japanese expect much from
and believe that they will strength9Ns
their case II 1t can b presented u flSs
American people as an appeal to ta&y
spirit of fair play. The japanese -
bassador. however, has declined to 49,
sue any statement on behalf Of IT.
government at this time and iuGG
that any publicity given his dtecqS4i
sions with Secretary Of State HFyNl
must come from the latter. or the p1ox
ident sSJs|
The vieor with which Amhas Il
Chinda has pressed the isnua ~ =
Mr.. Bryan's return from CAliforntM r (
made strong impreagiCn here
The attitude OF AmbasuAdoR Chtnl
in pressing the Caae hrs tuapFo1
anew upon Washingtpn the neF1e
Of the CAlifornia-J&pan coQ1
yeray. This fact. taken Into GqG
a. e. 90 ae1aa 81 ~ yek ~