The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-30
CREATE new BILL
Measure to Conform With
Japanese Treaty.
lis Drawn Up in California
Legislature Today.
MAY ADJUST ALL TROUBLE
VIII Meet With Approval of
President Wilson.
And May Appease All Alien
Land Supporters.
MAY ADJUST ALL TROUBLE

Sacramento, April 3o.-California' {
first step towards the enactment of an
alien land law contrary to the advice
of Secretary of State Bryan and Pres
dent Wilson was taken last night with
in three minutes after Secretary Bryan
told the legislative conference that his
official message had been spoken.
The senate, before which the BRO
saIl-Thompson bill was pending, met
in a hurried session and within three
minutes voted to substitute Tor tnal
measure the new draft known as tne
Webb act which was completed by Al
torney General Webb only yesterday.
The substitute was adopted as an
amendment and the bill sent TO the
printer with a rush order.
Owing to the absence of Mr.. Bryan
in San Francisco whittier he went To-
day as the guest of the Panama. d d
cific Exposition company, 1T IS the pldIi
of the senate leaders to take no fur-
tbar action on the bill until Thursday,
when it will come up in the regular
course of business and it is said VIII
undoubtedly be passed.
The measure will then go to the as
sernbly and finally to the governor VINO
has stated he would sign the measure
at once.
Features of New Bill.
The prlnclpal features VI the oii
are as follows:
/. All aliens eligible to citizenship
may acquire and hold land in the same
manner as citizens of the United
States.
. All other aliens may acquire and
hold land "in the manner and to the
extent and for the purposes prescribed
by any treaty now existing between
the government of the United States
and the nation or country of which
such alien is a citizen or subject"
3. Corporations composed of aliens
other than those who are eligible to
citizenship may acquire and hold land
only according to the terms of existing
treaties. ..-.-......-.-
4. Present holdings of aliens, regard
less of their rights to citizenship, are
protected.
State Reserves Right.
). The state specifically reserves it's
sovereign right to enact any and all
laws relating to the acquisition or hold
ing of real property by aliens.
Represents All Japan Asks.
Explaining the wording of the sub
stitute bill. Mr.. Webb said:
"Our theory is that at the time the
treaty was framed, Japan asked for all
the rights as to ownership of land in
California that that nation desired for
its subjects, and that the treaty as 1t
now stands represents all that Japan
asked and all that the United States
was willing to grant.
This act does not draw the lines
upon aliens who are ineligible to citi-
zenship. These words are not used.
1t gives not only to Japan, but to
every nation whose subjects are in
eligible to citizenship under the laws
of the United States the full rights to
ownership of land in California that
the treaties between the United States
and such nations give
1t is generally believed here that
the new act would accomplish the
ends said to be desired by the people
of the state, namely, prevention of the
further acquisition by Japanese sub
5ects of farming lands and ranches