The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-22
ENCOURAGING NEWS
FROM JAPAN COMES
ADMINISTRATION
Officials Recognize Difficulties
Of Government and lingo
Talk Subsidies
WILSON PLEADS WITH
SESSION. TO CO SLOW
Asks Mississippi Congressman
Not to Wave Firebrand in
Scheduled Speech On
Japanese Question

WASHINGTON, May 21.-Reports
received by the state department to-
day from United States representa-
tives in Toxic brought encouragement
to the administration, in regard TO
the japanese situation. President
Wilson has had the greatest faith from
this first that some way for diplo-
matte settlement of the California
alien land law controversy would be
found. and today's developments have
given him additional ground for hope.
One Of the reports to the state de-
partment was from diplomatic repre-
sentative OF the United States govern
ment, who discussed the situation In
formally with members OF the Japa-
nese ministry yesterday. following the
receipt by them OF the American re-
ply.
This report brought to the president
and Secretary of State Bryan ex-
prcssions of confidence by the
American representative that the
the sincerity OF this governments ef-
forts TO prevent discrimination
against japanese subjects through the
California law, and also the domestic
difficulties which the United States
officials have encountered In dealing
with the State government involved.
Informally the japanese ministers
are reported to have said at this con-
ference that they understood thor
oughly the pecaiiarities OF the situa-
ton arising from the dual character
of the American government. The
Japanese official attitude, as voiced
Mt this time. was not to hold the
American administration as strictly re-
sponsible for the California law. as
would have been the case had the
difficulties arising from the internal
structure of this government been
less CONSPICUOUS.
The japanese ministers also con-
seyed the information that an abate-
ment of the lingo sentiment among
the Japanese had been noted by
them.
Both Are Impressed.
Both the president and Secretary
Bryan. II is understood. were impress
ed by the tone OF this report. and
their hopes for satisfactory ad-
justment OF the controversy through
ed.
Other persons In Washington more
familiar with foreign affairs. and
with the Far East, have not shared
the presidents optimism. and frank
iy continue to regard the present
negotiations. involving as they do the
questions Of national honor for Japan.
as marking a crisis in the situation
between Japan and the United States.
II not the entire Western world.
Meanwhile. the president. however.
optimistic he may be as to the final
outcome of the controversy, is de-
termined that there shall be no lingo
statements by members of congress-.
or other persons. which shall aggra-
eAvate the Japanese people. or result
in Z misconception of the real Ameri-
can attitude. Today he sent for
Representative Sisson. of Mississippi.
and appealed to him to use guarded
terms in q speech on alien land laws,
which he will deliver in the house on
Friday.
Eisson had announced in the house
Z few days ago that he would speak
on tho japanese controversy on FRI
day.
Sisson Partially Yields.
Tho president made 1t known at his
conference with Mr.. Sisson that he
and not Mr.. Sisson would have to
assume the responsibility for any in
nammatory speech the representative
might deliver this time. The presi-
dent desired that the Mississippian re-
train from any speech on the con-
troversy at this time. but the most
satisfactory agreement that could be
reached was that the speech should
deal with allen land legislation ~ q
general proposition, and that the
California law should not specifically
be taken up. Sisson. after the presi-
dent had described to him in con-
fidence tho friendliness evinced by the
Japanese In the interchanges thus far.
consented to include in his speech
complimentary references to Japan
for the spirit In which It has entered
the negotiations, III N. ssss4s ss..