Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-28
Representative Sisson vigor-
ousIy Defends CaIifornia's ,
Alien Land Law.
TO GIVE IN NOW WOULD
BE "CRINGING C0WARDIcE"
Mississippian Is Enthusiastically
Applauded in House for Champion.
ing Attitude of People of State.

In vigorous speech championing the
proposed California alien land law and
against submission to demands OF
Japan. Representative Sisson OF Mis-
sissippi surprised the House in the
midst or the general debate on the
tariff today.
About half of the memberships NJ the
house listened to Mr. Sisson, Who i'm
meoiately after the session begar took
the moor and began a strong defense
or California's position.
he discussed the legal status OF the
japanese dispute, and declared that the
government OF the United states b.
treaty could not limit the powers of a
STATE to make such laws as il saw fit
with regard to the ownership OF its
land.
The House, wearied with week of
routine tariff debate. paid close atten-
tion TO Mr.. Sisson's argument. and his
speech was frequently interrupted By
applause. His statement that the people
OF California have the right To protect
their farmers from owning land in com
petition with -Asiatics who can live on
what the American farmer throws away
was enthusiastically applauded. IF We
must have war or submit 10 the de-
mands of Japan" said Mr.. Sisson, Il
am for war.
Resents Japan's Efforts.
Il am with the people OF California in
| their efforts to prevent these aliens from
acquiring land
Il believe" said Mr. Sisson. that no
! nonresident alien should be allowed e.
hold single foot Of land in the territory
Of the United States What would
Washington say in answer to the aues-
tion. 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"
MI Sisson took the position that the
Japanese government in protesting
| against alien land legislation, was en-
deavorfng to exempt its citizens from the
| operation OF the laws of states.
Should Only Observe Law.
The President and Secretary OF State'
said Sisson, should only assure an alien
government that the people OF that alien
| nation would be dealt with fairly In ac-
cordance with the law OF the state Any
other position would lead to the federal
government taking out from under the
| laws OF the states the citizens OF an
other nation. But all citizens or aliens
resident In state must be held subject
to its, laws. and to exempt the alien
would give him privileges over and above
those accorded TO American citizens"
Representative Mann. the republican
leader. suggested the United States had
the constitutional right to treat with for
eign powers to secure for American citi-
| zens property rights abroad, and that
Mr.. Sisson was contending that the for
eign government did not have a similar
right.
Upholds Rights Of California.
Mr.. Sisson contended that the people
r,1sH
regarding alien holding OF land as in
their judgment seemed best. when such
laws did not infringe upon the federal
Constitution.
Representative Sisson discussed at
| length points OF international law in
volved in the dispute. and declared that
California was endeavoring to do only
what Japan had already done
III Japan now threatens us with war
what would she do when millions of her
citizens have acquired land i'm our coun-
try?" he cried II lay down the propo-
| sition that an alien population holding
land within our borders would he fixed
and constant menace.
I'VE must preserve 10 the American
| farmer the right to own the soil of our
| country without competition which would
| drag down his standard OF living I would
not surrender il unless we had spent the
| last drop OF blood I'm American manhood,
| and impoverished our country for a hun
dfed generations.
Diplomatic Gallery Vacant.
The diplomatic gallery was vacant
while Mr.. Sisson was attacking the Jap
anese contention. He said that while the
situation in California was very critical.
| before | would surrender the right to
control a foot of American soil TO Japan
or any other nation on earth. or permit
80 tf,n lo nd Ian
1 would fight. I hope that this admin
istration will take firm stand and set
tie the question for all time by telling
the whole world that we will not tolerate
any interference with domestic con-
Germs.
Il maintain" he added, that it is the
sacred duty of the President and the
United States Senate not only not to
make treaty that would infringe upon
constitution and Law Of the state. but
il is their highest duty to sustain the
states in their rights and to prevent this
very unwarranted interference on the
part of other nations with the state con
stitutions and the state laws. This is one
Of the principal reasons for the very ex-
istence of our federal government III
now our federal government shall. in
spite OF the will of the people of these
states force them to bow to the dictates
of a foreign nation. the love and regard
which our people now have for the fed
place will be kindled a spirit Of hatred. II
IS Just as much the duty of the federal
government to protect these state govern
ments as il is to protect itself.
Cringing Cowardice to Yield.
1.-The coercion Of the people of Califor-
MIA in this right is a precedent for any
coercion. however drastic, when In the
future the demand shall be made by a
powerful government. II will be miser-
able piece of cringing cowardice for us TO
yield now. I am with the good people
of California in their fight and 1 am
willing to vote the last dollar in the
United States Treasury for the defense OF
her right to control her sacred soil.
Japan complains because her people
cannot come and remain with us and
draw from our soil its riches and send
them to Japan to sustain her people and
her government across seas, subject all
the while TO his majesty. the Emperor OF
Japan, and protected by him. and who
can. in the event of war, assemble all
of his loyal subjects already in this
country and with their substance. which
they have drawn from our soil. wage