Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-05-16
JOHNSON REFUSES
TO DELAY STATES
ALIEN OWNERS ACT
California Executive Notifies Ad.
ministration and Signs the
Measure.
DENIES TREATY VIOLATION.
Says Law Is Demanded by Eco
nomic Conditions Confronted
by California.

by California.
SACRAMENTO, Cal, May 16.-Gov.
ernor Johnson's final answer to the re.
quest of the federal government that
he withhold his signature from the
Webb alien land bill was telegraphed
to Secretary Bryan at Washington
Wednesday afternoon and in substance
amounts to courteous, but unequivo.
cal mo-" The governor signed the bill
today.
BY the text of his reply. Governor
johnson feels it his duty to approve
the action of the legislature. His mes.
sage to the secretary Of state not only
reafirms the right of the state to en-.
act a law barring Asiatics from owner
ship in land. but also defends the pub
lie policy Of such q measure. citing the
vote on the Webb bill as proof Of the
demand for such an act in California.
The only possible contingency that
can arise to check the operation Of the
law after the date when the session
laws go into effect is the threatened
referendum petition which Theodore
A. Bell. Democratic leader. has said
he would circulate against the measure
as soon as It was signed. Administra-
tion leaders In tho legislature who
have remained at the capital are not
disposed TO believe Bells plan will be
carried out.
| After going in detail into the eco.
nomic problem faced BY California, dis
cussing mooted points Of the bill and
referring particularly to the Japan
treaty, the land laws Of other states
and the citizenship laws Of the nation.
Gov johnson said In his message:
I'VE Of California believe firmly that
in our legislative dealings with this
alien land question We have violated
absolutely no treaty rights: we have
shown no shadow of discrimination !:
we have given to no nation the right
to be justified In taking offense. So
believing-with . strong reliance on
the justice end the righteousness Of
our cause, and with due Difference and
courtesy. and with proper considers.
tion for the feelings and views of 9th.
ers-we had hoped the authorities at
Washington would have seen the Ques-
ton as we in this state have been
forced to see it--as we must see 1t or be
blind.
"And so, with all respect and cour.
tesy, the state OF California feels It its
bounden duty to citizens to do that
which the interests Of its people de-
mand; that which the conscience Of its
people approve; that which violates no
treaty rights: that which presents no
discrimination and that which can give
no Just cause for offense."
The telegram from Secretary Of
State Bryan which called forth this an.
swer was sent to Governor johnson
last Sunday night, when. in the name
of President Wilson. the secretary no.
titled Governor johnson that the Jap
anese ambassador had earnestly pro
tested against the bill passed by the
California legislature and urged that
the governor postpone action by with
holding his signature.
Mr.. .Bryan's telegram said in part:
"The president feels justified in ex.
pressing again his desire that action
on the subject be deferred for this sea.
son, and he expresses the desire the
more freely because the legislature caIi
be re.convened at any time II the wei.
fare of the state requires 1t. He is full.
ly alive to the Importance Of removing
any root of discord which may create
antagonism between American citizens
and the subjects of Oriental nations re.
siding here, but he is empelled by a
sense Of duty to express the hope that
you will see fit to allow time for dipl0.
matte efforts. The nations affected by
the proposed law are friendly nations
nations that have shown themselves
willing to cooperate in the establish
ment of harmonious relations between
their people and ours.
"If postpOnement commends itself
to your judgment, the president will be
pleased to cooperate in a systematic
effort to discover and correct any evils
that may exist in connection with land
ownership by Aliens"