The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-19
Makes Close Study of the
Measures Pending in
California
THINKS OUTBURST IN
TOXIC UNWARRANTED
Wilson Hopes Japan viii Withhold
Judgment Until Courts Make
Decision--U Ultimatum
Rumored

Washington, April 1S-President Will
son kept in close touch today with the
situation that has arisen over the pro-
posed alien land legislation He read
with interest dispatches from Toxic de-
serbing popular feeling against the
bills and studied the text of the pend
ing measures as we'll as a synopsis of
similar laws in New York and Texas.
The President told his callers that
the federal government must OF neces-
sity refrain from interference with Cal
ifornia while in the process of legis-
lating and 1t is not to make known its
attitude to inquiring nations until the
bills are passed. He added however,
that If any Impression had been cir
culated in Japan that the administra-
tion here become Indifferent to the
developments in California such view
was unjustifed and that Judgment
should be withheld until the measures
are finally framed and passed
Wait for Action
In the meantime, the President de-
clared that every effort was being made
to keep in communication informally
with the California legislature. 1t is
unlikely that the President viii com
municate his views directly or take any
step that will interfere with the leg
islative process. but he hopes through
members of Congress here to do his
utmost to prevent any obvious viola
tion of treaty obligations Should treaty
rights be violated. he is hopeful that
Japan will withhold judgment until the
American courts have dealt with the
question.
Government officials look upon the
popular outbursts in Toxic as unwar-
ranted at this time as the federal gov
ernment fully intends to give Japanese
residents every protection and privilege
accorded foreigners under the favored
nation principle of-its treaties.
Alive TO Situation
At the same time diplomatic circles
here are alive to the situation and
some of the more prominent embassies
and legations have been ordered to keep
their governments advised OF every ac-
tion. Protests from italy, which it is
believed might be followed by more
from other nations, as to the restric-
tions on aliens, excited much comment
among the diplomats but attention was
mostly drawn to the existing alliances
between Japan and the great powers
which might be affected in case of a
breach between Japan and the United
States,
Some of the diplomats suggested
that 1t was possible the present Jap
anese cabinet might be swept from
power through the present agitation
J and in the hope of placating popular
oiamor new administration might is
sue more emphatic protest or ulti-
1natum to the Washington government.
White House officials declare their re-
1ations with the Japanese government
through the ambassador here have been
most friendly and that the peculiar
tiles of the situation are fully under
stood.
Law Attracts Attention
Because of the intimation from To-
lio that along with a demand for nS,.s,
rralization rights for Japanese would
come literal application in Japan of
what is known as the "law relating to
foreigners right of ownership in land"
the text of that law is attracting much
attention here. Its application here
tofore has been very loose and there
ere large holdings of land by foreign
crs including Americans. in. many of
the places prohibited to them. The law
says:
Article l. Foreigners domiciled or
resident in Japan and foreign juri-
dicial persons registered therein, shall
enjoy the right of ownership in land.
provided always that in the countries
10 which they belong such right is ex-
tended to Japanese subjects and Jap
anese juridical persons; and provides
further, In cases of foreign juridical
persons, that they shall obtain permis-
sion from the minister for home affairs
for the acquisition of such ownership
"The foregoing provisions shall be
applicable only to foreigners and for
eign juridical persons belonging to the
countries to be designated by imperial
ordnance
article II. Foreigners and foreign
Juridical persons cannot enjoy the right
of ownership in land in the following
districts:
Il, Kokkaido (Yezo) 2, Formosa; 3.
Karafuto (Sa3Shalin); 4. districts nee
essary for national defense. The dis
tricts coming under No. 4, of the pre-
ceding paragraph shall be designated
by imperial ordnance"
1t Is said that under this last pro-
vision. No. A. much of Japanese terri
tory desired by foreign business houses
ard corporations has been barred to
them.