The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-13
JAPANESE PRIDE
AND HONOR MAXI
QUESTION GRAVE
Issue Is No Longer One ln-
volving the Violation Of
Treaty Rights
GOVERNMENT MUST
BACK CALIFORNIA
Japan Will Not Take Matter
Into Court or Question
Eligibility Of Race to
Citizenship


anese situation was disclosed in
more serious light here today, when it
became known that the Japanese gov
eminent, in its protest against the
California alien land bill. makes the
issue one affecting her national pride
and honor, rather than the mere qucs-
ton of alleged violation of treaty
rights.
The significance and also the dan
ger in this attitude, which the Jap
anese have chosen to adopt. Was
promptly realized here. At the same
time it was disclosed that the admin
istration here does not consider that
the California bill Is in violation Of
the treaty rights of the Japanese.
Must Uphold California.
The holding of this view on the part
of the president, and his advisers,
makes 1t incumbent on them in case
Governor johnson signs the bill. to
throw the entire support of the federal
government to California, in further
discussions with the Japanese govern
ment. This attitude will render 1t
less easy for the United States to
make any concession to Japan.-or-
smooth the path for an amicablc
settlement of the controversy.
On the other hand Japan having
made the issue one of national pride
and honor. cannot easily yield her
contentious without being in danger
of suffering humiliation. Where 1t
would have been comparatively sim
pie for both sides to recede somewhat
on a dispute of d purely legal nature,
such as the Interpretation of the let
ter of 81 treaty, it will now be moro
difficult for either side to give way.
Japan Speaks Plainly.
hay 1iUH an hn nnxitinn fatra.1
by the Japanese was shed today when
the reasons why the Japanese pro-
test has not been made public was
learned. The fact Ia that Japan re
CARDS the present issue as possessing
such serious possibilities that shc
wished to be in position to speak with
the utmost frankness, and, therefore,
asked that no publicity be given to
anything she had to say. The adj
ministration is bound by solemn COM
pact with Japan to disclose no detailu
of the communications presented bJ
Ambassador Chinda.-
Publication of the Japanese pro-
test will occur only by express agree
ment between Toxic and Washington.
Ambassador Chinda has also been in
structed that he must say nothing for.
publication without authorization
from his government. With these re-
strfctions agreed upon, the Japanese
government has spoken very plainly.
but in the most cordial spirit, to the
United States.
No Question to Citizenship.
That Japan win look solely to the
government of the United States for
a remedy for the impending noxious
situation was likewise made known
here today. The Japanese governs
ment has no intention OF taking q
hand in any action before the United
States courts for the purpose of test
ing the validity of the proposed Cali
ifornia law.
That the question of the eligibility
of Japanese to American citizenship
has not yet been raised by Japan, was
definitely stated here today.
The right of all sovereign States to
be the judge as to who shall enter
their borders. and who shall become
citizens OF their governments. Is so
clearly recognized IN all International
law that there is little expectation
here that Japan will make any serious
effort to gain American citizenship
for her subjects resident here.
This evening when it was learned
through unofficial channels that Gov
ernor johnson was at work on his re-
ply to Secretary Bryan's message. il
was ICAltACu AIidl AIlfc cdtUfhEtS AtcAaA
the governor could hardly be anything
but q statement of his reasons for APP
proving the pending bill. despite the
wishes OF the federal administration.
California members of congress today
stated positively that the governor
would sign the measure.
johnson In No Hurry.
SACRAMENTO, CAL, May IL
Governor Johnsonfs reply to Secretary
Bryan's telegram will not be put on
the wire until late tonight. or early
tomorrow morning. The governor
seems to be in no hurry, and he re-
fuses to take seriously the insfstent
demands of Ambassador Chinda that
any haste is needed in dealing with
the alien land question
The governor. according to his
friends, is determined to sign the
Webb alien land bill The only thing
they say that would have any weight
with the governor would be definite
threat of war by Japan. should the
alien land measure become law.
Some of the legislators who
studied the Bryan telegram thought
they saw in it the beginning OF
change Of front toward Japan's claim
ON the part OF the federal adintnfs-s
tration. The message calls attendon
to- the fact that the Webb Dill 49,
..ayowedly intended to CCnform 19s
treaty obligations" T
To Ask Refcrcn1um.
As soon as Governor johnson elEm4
the Webb bill. California DemOcratn'
are ready to proceed 1T once e secute
referendum election on il 1haodc94j
He'll. who was defeated ~ tn
election for governor. hut Mho - 4ya
democratic leader AZ the state. A1
had 4 number Of referendum pet14
prepared. and these Will - put om& d
once ~ NOON a the Nah ~
SiGned. 81. sssz sss5
Bell Gays that ~ can ~ 0,oe4
5000 signatures TO auch = D41 81
md ne proposes - gst ~ algnn