Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-01
Promises AHicabIe Settle
ment Of Controversy
Over California Alien Land Bill
win Conform with Treaty.
Sec. Cyan Refuses Comment Up.
on tue New Measure.

Sacramento. CAL. April S0.-The pos
sihility of an arnicable adjustment OF
the alien land controversy by means
of a new bill. drawn in strict conform
ity with the treaty between Japan and
the United States. confronted, Tues
day night, the third secret conference
of Secretary of State Bryan with Gov.
Johnson and the California Legisla
ture. The conference was called. for
$50 O'Clock.
Attorney General L. 5. Webb draft
ed the new measure at the suggestion
of Gov. Johnson, and a copy was plae-
ed Immediately in the hands of Secre-
tary Bryan. The term ineligible TO
citizenship" which is declared by Sec
rotary Bryan to be odious to the Jap
anese. is not included and Progressive
Republican leaders are confident they
have arrived at a solution of the prob
lem that will receive the endorse
ment of President Wilson.
Secretary Bryan declined to comment
upon the new bill except in the con-
ference.
The principal features of the bill are
as follows:
1-All aliens eligible to citizenship
may acquire and hold land in the same
manner ms citizens of the United
States.
All other aliens may acquire and
hold land in the manner and to the
extent and for the purposes prescribed
oy any treaty now existing between
the government of the United States
and the nation or country of which
such alien is citizen or subject.
3-Corporations composed of aliens
other than those who are eligible to
citizenship may acquire and hold land
only according to the terms of exist
ing treaties.
4-Present holdings of aliens regard
less OF their rights to citizenship, are
protected.
THE state specifically reserves its
sovereign right to enact any and all
laws relating to the acquisition or
holding of real property by aliens.
Attorney General Webb worked upon
the theory that there could be no OBJ
lection to writing into the statute the
specific limitations of the Japanese
treaty of 1911. Under the terms of this
treaty japanese subjects are permit
ted to own Houses and lands for resi-
Dental purposes. factories, manufac-
tories and shops" according to Mt.
Webb. Another clause permits Jap
anese subjects to lease land for Resi-
Dental and commercial purposes"
These are the only stipulations
made, end it is the belief of the at
torney general that the rights of Jap
anese subjects to land ownership in
the United States stop at this point.
Under his construction Of the treaty,
no land can be owned or leased by a
Japanese for agricultural purposes
except that which is already owned. or
for any other, purposes except those
set forth in the agreements between
the nations.
Explaining the wording of the sub
stitute bill, Mr.. Webb said:
stOur theory is that at the time the
treaty was framed Japan asked for all
The rights as to ownership of land IN
that that nation desired for
her subjects and that the treaty as il
now stands represents all that Japan
asked and all that the United States
was willing to grant.
This act does not draw the line up
on aliens, who are ineligible to citi-
Those words are not us
1t gives not only to Japan. but TO every
nation whose subjects are ineligible to
of land In California that
the treaties between the United States
and such nations give
1t is generally believed here that the
new act would accomplish the ends
said to be desired by the people of the
state. namely, prevention OF the fur
Their acquisition by Japanese subjects
Of farming lands and ranches.