Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-28
To Confer With DR.. Jordan.


Stanford University. and leader in the
movement for international peace, has
come to Sacramento at the request OF
Secretary Bryan to confer with the lat
ter on the pending alien land legislation.
DR.. Jordan is opposed to land bill
OF any kind that would single out the
people Of any nation. and particularly
the Japanese, with whom he believes the
United States should be on the most
friendly terms. He is to speak in st.
Louis later this week at the national
peace congress and will be able to re-
main in Sacramento only two days
AS an alternative to a rigid land law
barring those ineligible to citizenship,
which. DR.. Jordan declares. would be I'M
constitutional, he suggests that II Cali
fornia has a real grievance 1t should pro-
before the State Department at Washing
ton and have the controversy settled by
means OF a new treaty
Japan Desires Peace.
THE Japanese government desires
only to avoid a disturbance" said DR..
Jordan last night. I'm that it is in
much the same position as our govern
ment at Washington. This matter could
be settled to the satisfaction OF both
California and Japan il left to the
State Department
Gov johnson has issued a state
ment claiming CALIFORNIA; right to en-
act an alien land law barring from
ownership foreigners who cannot be-
come citizens. He points to the fact
that other states have passed similar
laws, but that does not mean that their
laws are constitutional. They are not
constitutional. as California will find
If similar law Is enacted here
Gov. Johnson, Attorney General Webb
and a dozen of the administration lead
ers in the legislature met yesterday after
noon for q general discussion of the sit
uation with regard to Secretary Bryan's
visit, but no course Of action was pro-
posed.
Gov johnson said afterward that every
thing hinged upon the desires OF the
states visitor.
Il cannot tell when our conferences
will be held with Secretary Bryan, or
what their nature will be. whether pub
lie or private" said the governor In
the matter of arrangements of that kind.
We are agreed that Mr.. Bryan's wishes
will be scrupulously and cheerfully OBJ
served. whatever they may be-
May Have Private Message.
1t was generally agreed at the outset
that if the Secretary of State is possessed
of information of a private or diplomatic
character he will disclose it only to the
governor or to an executive meeting Of
the two houses OF the legislature sitting
together.
There are many, however. who believe
the Secretary comes only to protest
openly, in the name of the federal gov
eminent. against a violation OF any trea-
ties Of the United States. and that he
will be content with the formal presenta-
ton of such protest.
There is no occasion for the slightest
delay" said Senator Thompson, one of
the leading advocates of alien lands leg
islation. Secretary Bryan undoubtedly
understands our position thoroughly, and
we are fully prepared to listen to him.
entirely upon what he has to tell u.s.
No Change in Sentiment.
1t was stated by number of admins
tration leaders that the disposition to
pass an alien land law restricting to
aliens who are eligible to citizenship
remains unchanged. 1t will be necessary
for Mr.. Bryan to change the present
views of the majority if the bill is to
be killed.
Senator Thompson has completed the
final draft of his new bill, which is to be
presented to Secretary Bryan as the con-
crete expression OF the sentiment of the
majority. 1t is brief and makes no at
tempt to dodge the point at issue-the in
eligibility Of the Japanese.
Under its terms no alien who is in
eligible to become a citizen may hold land
for a period longer than one year, under
penalty of having the property escheat
to the state. Leases are limited to three
years.