Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-01
Complete Silence
From Sec. Bryan.

Sacramento, Calf. April So.-HoW
long Secretary Bryan expects To re-
main in Sacramento is the question
with which the majority leaders IN the
California Legislature Wrestled, Tues
day in an effort to decide what course
to pursue in carrying out their plans
for the enactment of the particular
kind of land holding law that they
have in mind.
Secretary Bryan is opposed to then
plan. but that his arguments against
II came TO naught in the secret con
ference with Gov. Johnson and the
LEGISLATORS, Monday, is now appaf-
ent. He announced that he had SAID
all he came to say, but, in the IAN
guage of a leading Progressive sena-
tor :.He is still here and the belief IS
c,,rrent that he will remain until tie
bill is passed.
The administration leaders are not
disposed to allow filibuster, even one
conducted by the secretary OF state
of the United States to check thens,
and unless Mfr. Bryan presents urgent
reasons for further delay IN the con
ference that he Is expected to call late,
Tuesday p. NJ, the opinion is express
ed that it is probable that Legislature
will, at once pass the bill prohibitins
opnership nv foreigners Ineligible TO
citizenship"
Adjournment has beer Set for May 30,
hut it is planned to extend this date TO
Nav TO- Even this extension allows less
than two weeks for the Legislature 10
wind IN its affairs, and the majority
leaders feel there is no need to waste
time over the alien land bills when other
matters of vital Importance to the state
are still on the files.
Although several code messages were
received my Mr.. Bryan. Tuesday, from
PRESIDENT Wilson, Mr.. Bryan declined TO
discuss the kilograms.
Both houses of the Legislature turned
TO their routine work, Tuesday, as II
there had been no interruption
Since his arrival, Monday. morning.
the secretary of state has declined 10
make any statement except in conference
with the governor and membens OF the
Legislature and it was expected that an
other session of the conference would DC
called, early in the day.
Dissatisfaction over the principal plan
for the solution of the alien land PROB
lem put forward by Secretary Bryan was
expressed both by Republicans and Dem
ocrats. Secretary Bryan suggested that
the state permit the matter to be taken
up by the diplomatic corps and settien
by means of a new treaty
During the argument Assemblyman
asked:
.wbat assurance can the federal gov
eminent give us. Mr.. Bryan, that II 'ae-
tion by the Legislature is delayed the
same end can be reached through dlplo-
matte efforts?"
secretary Bryan replied: II am sorry
but 1 cannot answer as fully as you
might like. Just before / started for
Sacramento it looked as though the
words ineligible to citizenship were not
to be used. It was only when represen-
tations came indicating that the use OF
these words was contemplated that the
President communicated with me and
since then 1 have had no opportunity to
discuss the bill in detail with the Wash
ington representatives of the japanese
government.
On this matter / have no definite prop
osition to submit to you-none that Isl
sufficiently mature to offer You as an
assurance. All can say is that the
President has conferred with the Japan
ese ambassador and that / have con-
ferred with him and / feel 1t is worth
while to make an effort.
After inquiring what kind OF law
would meet. the approval Of the federal
and receiving no direc;
reply, Assemblyman Sutherland asked:
Can we pass any kind of a law that
would accomplish our purpose and would
not, in your judgment. be offensive to the |
Japanese government
"That is new proposition" replied i
Secretary Bryan, land / would not like |
to answer on the spur of the moment"
Secretary Bryan's suggestion is that
California enact a law similar to thel
statute in Illinois or in the District of
Columbia.