Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-29
Secretary Of State Met by
Gov. Johnson and Promi-
nent Democrats at Sta
tion Upon His Arrival.
MAKES STATEMENT
REGARDING VISIT
Deems it Improper to Dis
cuss Questions in Ad-
vance of Conference; /;
Jordan Also to Confer.

sacramento, Cal, April 2S.--Wm. j.
Bryan, secretary OF state, arrived in
Sacramento early this morning to con-
fer with Governor Johnson and the
California legislature on the proposed
anti.alien land holding laws. Gov.
Johnson met the visitor at the train,
where also considerable group OF
democratic legislators had gathered
and personally welcomed Mr.. Bryan 70
California.
No advance plans for the proposed
conference between Secretary Hryan
and the California authorities had been
made, and Mr.: Bryan stated as he
stepped of the train that he had left
the matter entirely III the hands Of the
governor. He said he had no notion
as to the length Of his visit, or as to
the course he would follow In present.
ing his argument to the legislature.
An hour after Secretary Bryan's ar-
rival 1t was announced by Gov. John
son that he would call the two houses
OF the legislature together In = joint
executive session beginning at II
o'clock this morning for the purpose
Of allowing Mr.. Bryan to deliver hi6
Ionicial message. The meeting wan
called at the request OF Mr.. Bryan, said
the governor.
Bryan Makes Statement
Secretary Bryan made the following
statement uponl his arrival:
II am visiting California at the re-
quest Of the president and with the
consent of the legislature, to confer
upon an important matter which, while
local In It's immediate effect, Is inter-
national in character.
Each occupies a dual position.
While 1t Is the guardian Of its domes-
tic affairs. It Is q member OF the li.ion.
and therefore interested In all that
concerns the nations relations with
the outside world.
II t"The president, upon whom rests
the constitutional duty OF maintaining
diplomatic relations with other colln-
tries, asked me to como to California
to confer with the governor and lcgis-
lators upon such phases OF the subject y
as touch their nations relations to
other nations.
Coming on such a mission, 1t
would be obviously improper to say
anything in advance upon questions
which may enter into the conference"
Given Office at Capitol.
(. Secretary Bryan went to the capitol
with Governor johnson shortly before
the executive office, where he was
visited by Senator Boynton. president
pro tempore of the senate, and Sena-
tor Thompson, both progressive lead
ers: Lieut. Gov. Wallace end Speaker
-. - ha
1t was arranged that Mr.. Bryan
should take possession Of Lieut.. Gov.
Wallace's office I'M the capitol. His
first visitor was DR.. David Starr Jor-
dan Of Stanford university. who came
to Sacramento at the request OF Secre.
tary Bryan to confer on the alien land
situation.
In Executive Session.
The legislative conference with
Secretary Bryan began at II :15 o'clock
in the assembly chamber with only
Secretary Bryan, Gov. Johnson and the
100 members Of the legislature In at-
tendance Both houses previously had
voted to take recess until 2 o'clock
this afternoon.
Although It was stated earlier that
Secretary Bryan had requested pri-
vate conference, from which the news
paper men and the public in general
should be excluded this responsibility
was disclaimed by the secretary OF
state Immediately after the meeting 4
convened
ut is not fair to say that outsiders
were excluded at the request Of any
one" said Mr.. Bryan. ut was simply
the consenus Of opinion that the meet
ing should be executive"
Or. Jordan With Bryan.
DR.. David Starr Jordan, president
OF Stanford university and leader in
the movement for international peace
has come to Sacramento at the request
of Secretary OF State Bryan to confer
with the visitor from Washington on
the pending alien land legislation
DR.. Jordan is opposed to land law
OF any kind that would single out the
people of any nation, and particularly
the Japanese with whom he believes
the United States should be on more
friendly terms. He is to speak in St.
Louis later this week In the national
& /. s<.-