The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-19
Exerts Influence on Legislators
in California.
READY To MEET A PROTEST
Washington Is Preparing for
File of Formal Complaint.
Secretary Bryan Asks Governor
to Withhold Signature.


ment by the California legislature of
the alien land bills until next week
has relieved the tension here slightly,
though every moment until the bills
are again taken uP viii be utilized in
| exchanges of messages between WASH
ington and Sacramento and other
points in California. where influential
officials reside who may be able to ex-
ert some influence upon the course of
legislation al the state capitol
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan make no secret of the fact that
though they are precluded from Of
fiically interfering they are privately
addressing themselves to individuals to
secure the amelioration of the features
of the pending land bills offensive to
the Japanese government. But taking
into consideration the probability of
that in it's final form the legisla ton
may not be applied to other aliens than
Japan and Chinese the administra ton
officials here are giving some thought
to the best means of meeting q pro-
test by the Japanese government
against the proposed legislation on the
ground that it is in violation of treaty
obligations.
While Mr.. Root was secretary he
prepared a memorandum which related
to the right of Japan in the United
States to own land for use for agri-
cultural purposes and his opinion was
adverse to the claim. The failure of
the japanese government so far to is
sue decree confirming the treaty right
of Americans who own land in Japan,
may also be an important factor in
the negotiations which may be expect
ed to follow the enactment of the CAL
ifornia legislation.
Altogether officials profess to find
idpT al oh n
base a defense against a charge of
nonobservance of the treaty of 1910.
Bryan Wires Governor johnson.
Secretary Bryan today telegraphed
to Governor Johnson of California re-
questing him to withhold his signature
from any anti-alien land legislation
which might be in violation of treaties
between the United States and Japan.
Secretary Bryan declined to make
public the text of his telegram and
with some reluctance discussed the
subject at all.
The impression prevailed here that
it was the desire ali around not to
make public its text in California un
til after it has been presented to an
executive session of the legislature. |
Meanwhile those in charge of the leg
islation which Japan construes Of |
fensive to her national pride, have
asked the state department for spec /
ific information as to the exact limit |
of the guarantees to Japan and 9TH
er foreigners by existing treaties and /
the department will clear up that /
point as far as it can, in the absence
of any judicial decision in the ques- |
ton. All officials hope for some hap |
py solution of the question before the |
laws are finally enacted.
johnson Gives Out Bryan's Telegram. |
Sacramento, April ia telegram to |
Governor Johnson from Secretary of State |
Bryan at Washington. giving the views !
of the federal administration on the pend /
islature was received today. Governor |
Johnson made the telegram public with |
out comment It is follows:
washington, April 10.
Governor Hiram Johnson, Sacramento:
rhe president desires me to say that |
while he fully recognizes the right of the |
people of California to legislate according |
to their judgment, he feels it his duty to |
urge a recognition of the international |
character of such legislation. Being anxi- |
Gus to preserve and strengthen the long |
standing friendly relations existing be- |
tween this country and the nations of the |
Orient, he very respectfully, but most |
earnestly advises against the use of the |
word Ineligible to citizenship He asks |
that you bring this view to the attention
of the legislature. He believes the senate I
bill, as telegraphed to the department of I
state is greatly to be preferred. That |
bill limited ownership to citizens and to |
those who had declared their intention to |
become citizens.
(SignedO ''w J. BRYAN"
The telegram was at once transmitted to |
the senate and assembly on a special mes |
sage signed by the governor. The mes !
sage was read in both houses and ordered |
printed in the journal without discussion |
No action will be taken until next week, |
off