The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-29
HOUSE AMAZED BY
REAL WAR SPEECH
Sisson. OF Mississippi, Would
Throw Gauntlet Down
to Japan.
HE UPHoLDs CALIFORNIA
Believes Question Should Be
Settled Now, Whatever
the Outcome.

Washington, April 2s,-A war
speech" in support of the proposed
California antialien land law was de-
iivered in the House to-day by Repre-
sentative Sisson. of Mississippi
III we must have war or submit to
this indignity. ] am for war" cried
Mr.. Sisson Il am with the people of
California in their efforts to prevent
these aliens from acquiring land
II believe" said MIR. Sisson. that no
nonresident aliens should be allowed
TO hold single foot Of land in the
territory of the United states. What
would Washington say in answer to
the question, war or submission? What
would Jackson say? What would
Cleveland say: What would Mckinley
say?
Il resent the efforts of Japan to force
US TO submit TO her demands"
Mr.. Sisson took the position that the
Japanese government in protesting
against alien land legislation was en-
deavoring 10 exempt its citizens from
the operation OF the laws OF states
Must re Subject 4" Laws.
THE President and Secretary Of
state" said Mn Sisson, should oniv
assure an alien government that the
people Of that alien nation would bc
dealt with fairly in accordance with
the law OF the state. ANY other posi-
tion would lead TO the Federal gov
ernmcnt taking out from under the
laws OF the States the citizens OF an
other nation. Eut all citizens or aliens
resident in a State must be held sub
iect 10 its laws. and To exempt the
alien would give HIM privileges over
and above those accorded TO American
citizens"
Representative Mann. the Republi-
can leader. suggested the lInitcd
SI.;f, Ind 81,
treat with foreign governments To Sc
cure for American citizens property
rights abroad. aud that Mr. Sisson was
contending that the foreign govern
mcnts did not have a similar right
Mr. Sisson contcndcd that the people
OF California had tho right to pass laws
regarding alien holdings OF land as
in their judgment seemed beat. when
such laws did not infringe uDon the
Federal Constitution.
Mr.. Sisson discussed at length points
of international law involved in the
dispute and declared that California
was endcavoring to do only what Japan
had already done.
IF japan now threatens us with
war. what would she do when mil
lions of her citizens have acquired land
in our country" he said.
81 lay down the proposition that an
alien population holding land within
stant menace.
I'VE must preserve to he American
farmer the right 10 own the soil of
our country without competition
which would down his standard of
living. / would not surrender il unless
we had spent the last drop OF blood
in American manhood and inipover-
ishcd our country for A hundred gen
erations.'
Treaty making can never deprive
the States OF n reserved power" con-
tnued Mr. Ssson.
This California question is far
reaching ana important in its results.
Nearly all OF the States have statutes
regulating the rights of aliens In ref
erence to acquiring real estate. Nearly
every state has some limitation.
Should Take Bold Stnnd.
This Democratic administrations
should announce with no uncertain
tone TO the world the doctriue that
Congress proposes the right of the
people OF these States to determine
who shall own land within the States,
and that the United States govern
incnt Will not prevent the States from
making such land laws as they see
III and proper. provided they do not
discriminate against citizens of the
United States.
III the President and Senate should
commit themselves to any other con
dition, we will have internal broils at
home and international complications
and meddling into our domestic AFFAIRS
occasioned by the constant complaints
of the alien land owner to his own
government.
al accord to the Japanese all tho
equal rights with ourselves. I would
as quickly resent demand from our
government upon Japan. to permit an
American citizen to own land in japan.
Continued on Seventh Page.