Arizona republican., 1913-04-25
Governor Johnson Says if Plans of the Majority Give Offense to Tokio, Federal Statutes Must Take the Blame
SHOWS WHERE THE
 ASSEMBLY, STANDS
Says if Restrictions Adopt ed by California Apply to the Subjects of Japan It Will Not Be Fault of the State
TAssocrArRD PRESS DIsPArCH1

ASSOCIATED PRESS DlSPATtHI
 SACRAMENTO. April 24.-Not the dignity of Japan but the dignity of California is at stake in the contro- Versy over the anti-alien law, accord ing to Governor Johnson and if the plans of the majority here give of fenSe to the government at TOkio, the California executive will absolve the state from blame on the ground the federal statutes long since drew the line which this state now seeks to apply.
 In a statement issued today Gov ernor Johnson defined the position of the legislative majority matter trust ing that Secretary Bryan, who is en route from Washington to present the views of the federal administration might learn thereby the attitude of California toward the law barring from land ownership in the state aliens who are barred from citizen ship in the nation.
 That this restriction applies to a subject Of Japan or any other nation is not the fault of California accord ing to the views of the governor. Such law is being drafted tonight by Senator Thompson and will be complete and in print before the ar rival of Secretary Bryan next Mon day. It will be known as the alien land act, and will apply solely to members of foreign races that are described in federal laws and judicial decisions as ineligible for citizenship California has outlined the defense of her position and when Secretary Bryan arrives he will be confronted with a new draft of the bill in ques- tion whether or not it is indiscrimin atory. Governor Johnson holds it is not. His view on this point is set forth in the statement as follows:
 ''The nation solennly decrees that certain races. among whom are Jap anese, are not eligible for citizenship. The line was drawn not by Califor mia, but by the United States. The discrimination if it ever occurred came and went when the nation de- clared who were and who were not eligible to citizenship. If California follows the line marked out by the federal government the United States and not California should be accused of discrimination
 The injustice of this view is conS ceded by Secretary Bryan and in the conference to be held with the gov ernor and members of the legislature there is little doubt that the Thomp- son bill will pass unless the Secre- tary of States reason and great UT gency can convince the leaders here that such an action by the California legislature would precipitate to a grave crisis beyond what is now un- derstood to be the situation.
 Among the minority in the legisla- ture there is a disposition to accuse the progressive republican majority of using the alien land controversy for political purposes. Senator Camp bell, d democrat. who last Saturday gave out statement urging the leg islature to direct action against the Japanese said today:
 Tt is high time that some one sounded a word of caution and sober sense in this matter. We should ap- proach the subject of anti-alien land ownership with open minds. We should be fair just and careful, but first of all we should be above any display of petty politics. The time
  talk for mere personal party advan- tage
 T am not going to criticize tht governors statement. In this situa tion l should be above criticising the attitude or opinion of every man. Toe much has been said already in con nection with this Legislation, and th' sooner we become reasonable ant sane on the subject the better off w will be.
 Every man in California, including ing the governor, should be broa' enough to recognize that the govern ment at Washington in it's relation to foreign nations is of necessit. deeply concerned in all matters 0 this kind. One might think iron what has been said that Californi; is not a part Of the United State and we Oalifornians are in a state o hostility towards our government a Washington. l have heard enough O that sort of thing
 Democrats In both houses have con ceived the idea ol calling a conferenc of the governors of the western state of Oregon, Washington, Nevada an Arizona to meet with Secretar Bryan and Governor Johnson mex week
 With a view of bringing about con
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