Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-30
President Wilson Awaits the
Next Step by the Cali
fornia Legislature.
STATE SENATE REJECTS
SUBSTITUTE MEASURE
Adopts Law Framed Against Land
Holding by Persons Ineligible
to Citizenship.

not uHlll the Legislative Sldlue
Of the substitute alien land-owning bill
adopted by the California senate last night
clarifies will it be possible for the ad-
ministration here to determine upon its
next step. There is little expectation that
the assembly will reverse the action OF
the senate. in view of the reported break
ing down Of party lines in the legisla-
ture, but it is believed that the delay
may improve the chances for the intro
duction Of some amendment on the lines
Of the Webb bill. which presumably
would have received the approval of the
national government.
In explanation of the reluctance shown
by Secretary Bryan to commit himself to
the unqualified approval Of any specific
measure. it is pointed out by officials
here that the administration desires to
be quite free OF the charge of attempting
to control the proceedings of the legis-
lature, confining itself to the effort to
limit the legislation within treaty rights
and sound national policy. Also, it is
said, the State Department should be
left unembarrassed by any commitment
in advance Of negotiations with the Japa-
nese government, which now seem GER
tain to follow instead of the rather in
formal exchanges that have been taking
place.
No Disclosures at White House.
The Japanese-C California storm center
was not around the White House today
and no information was to be had there.
Whatever kilograms have passed be-
tween President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan are guarded at the White House.
Representative Hobson- OF Alabama,
who has for years contended that Japan
cnnkfnO q
the United States, talked for a few min
utes with President Wilson today on the
Japanese-California problem. but did not
! wish to make public the object he had in
| mind.
Mr.. Hobson was distinctly conserva-
tive on the situation. stating that he
considered the present time decidedly
inopportune for expressions from pub
lie men that might increase the tension
that already exists.
while deeply sympathize with the
California people. this is no time to
attempt to settle these questions" said
Mr.. Hobson. THAT time will not ar
rive until the equilibrium of naval
power has been restored in the Pacific
California had better postpone this
settlement for a few years. anyhow"
Mr. Hobson was willing to admit thai
| there had been no change in his views as
| to Japan's purposes toward this country
since he sought to convince Congress in
| 1907, and later that the naval power
| and force Of the United States must be
| as great on the Pacific as that of Japan
| If we hope to prevent trouble with that
country.
u. S. Helpless in Pacific.
Mr.. Hobson's intimations today, al
though expressed in most careful words
were that the United States is practically
helpless in the Pacific. and that If the
California -Japanese problem is pressed
now the danger will be great. He hopes
to see a realization of the situation and
preparation by Congress to meet 1t.
Representative Hobson is candidate
for the United States Senate against
Senator Johnson of Alabama, and will
really begin his campaign in June. when
he will attend various meetings through
out the state. The primaries are to be
held in April of next year. There may
be other candidates for the senatorship,
but they are not yet announced.
Privileges in Japan.
DR.. r. B. Teusler, an American citizen
living in Toxic. Japan, who called on the
President today In an effort to interest
Mr. Wilson in a plan for an international
hospital in Toxic. assured the President
there was no truth in reports that Amerf-
cans cannot own land in Japan. He said
that he himself owned several small
tracts. not in fee simple. but under leases
for 800 years. Any other American can
do the same thing. he said. DR.. Teusler
was with the President for a few minutes
only.