Imperial Valley press., 1913-04-30
[BY UNITED PRESS AssocIATIoNsl

[BY UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATIONS
SACRAMENTO, Apr. 30.-Comment-
ing on his substitute anti-alien BILL
which will be passed on by the senate
tomorrow, Attorney Ben Webb said
he believed the bill will be acceptable
to the federal government because it
does not give justifiable OffenSe to
any foreign government. He drafted
the bill at the request Of Governor
Johnson after consultation with Sen
ators Birdsall and Thompson. He
says it should prove highly satisfac-
tory to the state and nation.
j SACRAMENTO, Apr 30.-"With a
few minor amendments this is the bill
that finally will be passed" said Gov
ernor Johnson today, commenting on
the Webb anti-alien measure. Asked
if it is acceptable to the president, the
governor replied, Il can only Judge by
what Secretary Bryan says about it,
and that is that it is not satisfactory.
However, while | have not canvassed
the legislators, | believe the bill sub
stantially as it now stands will go
through. This seems to be in the air
all along the coast" the governor re-
marked, as he read a telegram from the
Alaska territorial assembly, stating
that law adopted there would preveL
japanese fishermen from fishing in
Alaska.
WASHINGTON, Apr. 30.-The presi
dent will make no statement concerning
the Webb anti-alien bill until he has
carefully considered Bryan's report.
The contents Of The Sccretary's mes
liN
the state department counsellor, John
Bassett Moore, are keeping in close
touch with the situation. Moore is re
ported trying to determine whether the
changed wording of the Webb bill will
violate the japanese treaty.
The Democrats are retcent regarding
the position on the new bill. Democratic
floor leader Campbell Of the senate
said Il did not know the bill was Of
fered as an amendment to the Birdsall
bill last night. | can't say whether it
will be proposed tomorrow"
J Caminetti, Democrat, also said he has
not seen the bill and other Democrats
are silent.
SACRAMENTO. Apr. 30-It is pre-
dicted today almost unanimously that
Attorney General Webb's substitute for
the anti-alien bill will be Immediately
/ passed when it comes up tomorrow. 1t
/ is expected the Democrats will make
a formal effort to amend it, after which
/ the bill will be rushed through. Mean
while, his mission completed, Bryan
left the city after telcgraphing Presi-
dent Wilson a copy Of the new bin.
/ The Secretary's visit to California
I had the single result of changing the
wording of the anti-alien law. Instead
| of saying "aliens Ineligible to citiZen-
ship shal mot hol dland," the bill will
4 say "aliens eligible to citizenship may
hold lands
The immediate interest in The anti
alien situation was arrested tOda. by
the scheduled consideration Of Brswn's
anti-prize fight bill. This occupiep the
stage which is not set for the finale
6nti-alien matter tomorrow. Wright of
/ san Diego is the only senator who
declares he will fight the bill. He con-
ferred with Bryan last night. He declar-
ed the japanese will be more offended
by the bill because the mere change
Of wording questions their intelligence.
| 1t is explained today that the senator's
action adopting the Webb bill as an
amendment Of the BirdSall measure is
merely a l0rmality to get the measure
before the senate at the earliest posi-
bic moment.
SACRAMENTO. Apr. 30.-'HOw long
does Secretary Of state Bryan expect
to remain in Sacramento as the active
opponent of alien land legislati0n?"
This is the question with which the
majority of leaders in the California
legislature are wrestling today in an
effort to decide what course to pur-
Sue in carrying out their plans for
the enactment of the particular kind
Of land-holding law that they have
in mind.
Secretary Bryan is opposed to their
plan, but that his arguments against
it came to naUght in the secret con-
ference with Governor Johnson and
the Legislators yesterday is now ap
parent He announced that he had
said all he came to say, but, in the
language OF a leading Progressive
senator, 'he is still here" and the