The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-19
Until Act of Signature
Bryan Will Not Reply
to Japan.
MIKADO'S NEXT
STEP UNCERTAIN
May Not Be Content to Wait
Action of Governor and Addi-
tional Ninety Days Before
Law Goes Into Effect.
Tension Continues in
Official Circles.

Washington. May 1S.-Tersion over
the japanese situation continues to ex-
cite anxious attention in official diplo-
matte quarters. but there were no spe-
Icit'c developments to-day at the White
House. the State Department or the
Japanese embassy
Nine of the thirty days Governor
Johnson has, under the California Con-
stitution, to sign the alien land bill
have now elapsed, and the impression
is beginning to gain ground here that
the Governor will avail himself of the
full measure of time, even il he has de-
clarcd his purpose to approve the Webb
bill. Secretary Bryan has not commu-
nicated with the Governor, since the
receipt of his telegraphic message set
ting out his reasons for upholding the
action of the Legislature. but is sim
ply waiting for the final act of sig
nature before making reply to the Jap
anese note protesting against the legis-
| llation.
| Whether the japanese embassy will
continue to await the expiration of the
/ full thirty-day period of grace be-
/ fore making fresh representations on
the subject to the State Department
depends entirely upon the Judgment of
the Foreign Office in Tokyo, for from
this point forward all of the pro-
ceedngs in the negotiations will be
adopted referendum"
May aienn Long Delay.
| 1t has been suggested that although
there may be some preliminary ex-
| changes before the event. the Japanese
| government can lind no technical rea2
son for demanding relief before the
! commission of some action, under the
terms OF the Webb law. to tile detri-
ment OF a Japanese subject In that
case a further considerable delay is
probable, as the act will not go into
operation for a period OF ninety days
after II receives the approval of the
lGovernor. 1t is generally accepted that
one OF the primary points OF protest
by Japan is that the California law is
in contravention of the treaty of 1911.
! but exactly wherein has not thus far
| been discussed
| Governor Johnson's last communica-
tion TO the Federal authorities analyzed
the treaty. and the law to the end OF
showing that the latest enactment is
in no way contravention of the
treaty. The first and most fundamen-
tai Issue. therefore. appears to be over
this question of whether the law is, or
is not contrary to the treaty.
] While the Japanese viewpoint has
not been made known from any off,
cial source. IT is believed here that they
consider the first clause of the new
law rs the one contravening the spirit.
! If not the letter, of the treaty This
first clause allows aliens eligible to
| citizenship" to hold lands. AS the
Japanese are not, under the present
naturalization laws. eligible to citizen
ship. this clause specifically debars
! them from land ownership
Aside from the issue on the techni-
cal construction OF the treaty, it is be-
/ lieved here that the Japanese are
chiefly concerned in the general effect
/ of the legislation in placing them in
| the position of an inferior race
Dates From Perry's Visit.
! 1t was pointed out here o-day that
! II is against this they have been con-
tending since the memorable visit of
! Admiral Perry to Japan. when they be-
gan the movement which later estab-
lished them on a modern basis among
/ the nations of the world. One of their
! first steps was to terminate the old
extra territorial system by which the
| United states and other foreign coun-
tries carried on courts in Japan In or
der to try American citizens. on the
theory that Japanese laws were not
sufficiently modern to secure justice
| for foreigners.
| The tra-territorial treaties were
! brought to an end through the efforts
of Minister kurano at Washing ton. and
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