New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-17
STILL INSISTS
BILL VIOLATES TREATY
Question of National Honor as
Yet Remains Only Sec
ondary Issue.
CRISIS ONLY AT THE HAGUE
Contention That Spirit of En-.
actment" Is Objectionable
May Then Become
Paramount.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington. May l6.-The japanese Am
bassador, after having read carefully the
California anti-alien land bill and Gov
error Johnsons latest communication to
the Secretary Of State, still maintains
that the pending statute is in direct con-
hict with the treaty Of 1911 and sees no
occasion 10 recede from his position as
outlined in his formal protest which al
legged that such violation OF the treaty
was involved. That protest referred TO
the spirit Of the enactment" but did so
as n secondary consideration. making the
alleged violation of treaty obligations the
basic ground for protest.
No question Of the right Of japanese
subjects 10 become naturalized citizens OF
the United States has been or Is likely to
be raised by japan, which country has
never looked with favor on the complete
alienation Of its citizens
AS the copy OF the statute and the text
OF Governor Johnson's reply have been
communicated to the Ambassador infor-
nally. no formal comment thereon will be
submitted by Niscount Chinda. AS soon,
however. As the formal communication
OF the Secretary Of State informing the
Ambassador OF the Governors purpose 20
sign the bill has been received. the AM
bassador will formulate and submit a re-
joinder. setting forth more deliberately
the grounds on which Japan bases its
contention that violation Of the treaty is
involved.
Should the arguments which the ambas-
sador submits in rebuttal fail to modify
the view Of the administration a formal
demand for arbitration will be submitted
by the ambassador, in accordance with
the general treaty Of arbitration. which
provides that where difference regarding
the Interpretation Of treaty arises which
will not yield 10 the usual diplomatic
methods resort shall be had to arbitrs
ton at The Hague.
May Shift at The Hague.
Should the negotiations reach that
stage the contention that the spirit Of the
enactment" is Objectionable 10 japan will
probably become paramount. and the sub
mission Of the demand for arbitration and
the emphasizing Of this contention will
usher in the most critical stage Of the ne
Sotiations.
In the mean time the utmost care and
deliberation are being exercised by the ad-
ministration in the composition Of this
governments reply 10 Japans formal pro-
test against the anti-allen land bill passed
by tne California Legislature. which will
be submitted 10 Ambassador Chinda with
Ia 4 few days. as II is recognized that
serious consequences may attend the
termination of diplomatic negotiations
whenever IL occurs
The reply has been practically com
p.eted by John Bassett Moore. counsellor
FOR the Department OF state. and rougn
draft has been approved by the President.
As tentatively prepared II was considered
for two hours to-day "a the session OF the
Cabinet. There may be slight mOdtlca-
lions in the phraseology. but the general
trend Of the reply Is that the Webb
BlOOdg0Od bill is not a violation Of the
commercial treaty Of 1911. and that there
rs no new discrimination against the Jap
anese. The answer 10 Japdn's protest Is.
IN effect. a defence OF the course OF the
California Legislature
Preparations are being made by the
War and Navy departments 10 meet anv
emergency which might arise from the
formal declaration of the attitude OF this
government. although earnest efforts are
being put forth By the administration 10
minimize The gravity OF the situation and
10 Offset any appearance Of unusual ac-
tivitles IN the direction OF perfecting the
preparedness OF the military establish
mcut
The Secretary OF the Navy reiterated
to-day the statement that there would be
no movement OF warships in the Pacific.
west OF San Francisco" which could be
construed as having any relation TO the
california japanese situation.
No amplication OF the explanation Of
the conference between the President and
the Secretaries Of War and Navy at the
White House last evening was forthcom-
Ing to-day. The statement was made.
however that there would be- no move
ment OF troops OF war vessels as a result
OF the conference.
Policy Causes Comment.
The wisdom OF the administration in