The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-22
Controversy Has Taken
on Much More Favor
able Appearance.
OFFICIALS ADMIT
GRATIFICATION
While Japan Seems to Be in More
Gracious Mood, Every Effort
Is Being Made on This Side
to Prevent Anything Which
Would Wound Feelings
of Nipponese.

Washington. May 21-Reassurine
advices reached the State Department
from Japan late to-day indicating that
the American reply to the protest
against the California land law was re-
ceived in good spirit by the Tokyo
government, and that the situation had
taken a much more favorable ap-
pearance than at any time since nego-
tiations began. Officials here admitted
their satisfaction over the turn Of
events
The dispatches related also that the
Japanese Sovernment realized fully the
difficulties under which the Washington
administration had labored in handling
this situation. understanding the dual
system of government in the United
States, and the powers OF legislation
held by California.
To-days advices were of prelimi-
nary character and made no prediction
OF ensuing steps but in general they
reflected favorable view in Tokyo of
the American note replying to Japan's
protest.
Soothes Japan's Feelings.
President Wilson, who had no small
part In the writing OF the note, is said
to have described in most compliment
tary terms what he believed to be the
real feeling OF the majority of the
American people toward Japan. The
communication, 1t is said. pointed to
California, and only a part of Califor-
MIA, too. as having given evidence of
discriminatory disposition. and in
sisted that the United States as whole
admired the progress that Japan had
made In the last half century. respect
ed the achievements of the Japanese
people, and was sincerely anxious to
show that II regarded Japanese on a
basis of equality with all other powers
and nations.
Their was about 900 words long,
and dealt chiefly with the spirit of the
American people toward Japan. making
| little reference. II is understood. to the
technicalities of the new law or the
treaty, but discussing Jarans conten-
tion that the California agitation was
IN reality an act OF unfriendliness and
discrimination toward the Japanese.
oificials here were not in the least
opposed to publication OF the docu-
ment. but decision on this point was
left with the Tokyo government
While the situation tonight was
regarded as satisfactory in official
quarters, the Japanese answer was
awaited with keen interest officials
generally. however. were inclined to
hope tina: the acute atage in the nego.
tiations had passed
sissOn Asked to he Careful.
The President, realizing that speeches
in Congress at this time might en-
barrass the situation, requested Re-
preventative SiSson. of Mississippi, who
had announced his intention OF speak
ing on Friday on the alien land ques-
ton to handle as delicately as nos
sible diplomatic phases OF the case
Mr.. Sisscn, who recently made n war
speech" he'd given notice of his In
tention to speak in the House Fri
day on the legal phase of the Japanese
allen land question. He had a twenty
minute conference with the President.
during which. however. he assured Mr.
Wilsor. tha, hs would not discuss the
uenlng negotiations or touch on any
thing of an ircendiary character, linn
ltns himself 10 an argument on alien
land ownership.
That was the White House version
OF tho conference. though Mr.. Ssson
himself declined to make any com
Continued on Secnnd Pace -