The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-28
Alleged By Legislator To Have
Said ITO Heir With
Him
MYSTERIOUS LETTER
FROM PRESIDENT
What Did Colonel Write
Eiiramp Is Question---Dis-
cuss Johnsor's Change
Of Front On
Measure

SACRAMENTO, CAL, April ~
The Progressive leaders from botfs
houses conferred with Governor Johns
son today, and agreed that no action
should be taken in regard TO the
conference tomorrow until Bryan ar
rived and expressed his wishes. 1t
is said this action was taken in de-
ference TO the vigorous criticism OF
Democrats IN the Legislature.
Mr.. Bryan arrives tomorrow morn
ing He viii be met by Governor
johnson. and taken to the executive
mansion, where his wishes in regard
to conference on the alien land Leg
isation will be learned by the gov
ernor, and will be communicated to
both houses as soon as they meet for
the day
Democrats Are Sore.
The Democrats although very sore
over the governors actions, decided
today not to send any representative
up the road TO see Bryan. They viii
wait to submit their case until the
secretary reaches here.
1t was learned today that Presfp
dent Starr Jordan. of Stanford III -
Versty has been summoned by Mi
Bryan to meet him at Sacramento for
a conference on the alien land bill
DR.. Jordan is on intimate terms with
japanese leaders and he probably
knows better than any other Californ-
ian the sentiment of Japan toward this
proposed legislation.
The Democrats here are thoroughix
wrought up over Johnson's plans To
capture Bryan and discus the whole
question in a conference which will be
strictly Bull Moose, without any DEM
oeratic tincture,
A story is going the rounds today
on the authority of one who was pres
ent at the conference, that when the
reply of Johnson to the dispatch OF
President Wilson was being discussed.
some one remarked that as the presi-
dent had sent a very polite message
it was up to johnson to be equally po-
lite In his reply and not to come out
fiat footed with declaration OF
States rights, johnson is said to have
remarked TO hell with Wilson," and
to have turned to his secretary and
ordered him to file the dispatch which
was sent TO Washington
Several Versions of Letter
There are several versions of the
mysterious message sent by Colonel
Roosevelt last week to Governor Johns
son, and which the governor has re-
fused to make public. One says that
1t cautioned Johnson not to pass any
alien land bills until the Panama ca
nal was fortified, as in case that Japan
resented this action she would be able
10 destroy all the work that has been
done at Panama
Another version, which comes from
very good source. is that Roose-
welt approved of the passage of an
alien land bill at this time, as it
would compel congress to make liberal
appropriations for a strong navy
which he declared this country needs
now more than ever before. Whatever
may be the real wording OF this mes
sage IL Will probably never be known
as Colonel Roosevelt has refused 70
divulge it.
The change of policy of leaders OF
the majority here is being made the
subject of much discussion at this
time. When Presidents Roosevelt
and Taft advised against the enact-
ment of alien land laws similar to the
ones that have been proposed at this
session OF the legislature, it was the
men who are now favoring a drastic
alien land law. who were the first to
accede 10 the wishes Of the chief exc
cutives. They were Republicans presi-
dents and at that time the leaders in
the legislature were Republicans.