The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-30
Attorney General Drafts
Measure at Suggestion
of Governor.
LEADERS BELIEVE
IT is SOLUTION
Matter Is Considered at Third
Secret Conference of Secretary
Bryan With California Execu-
tive and Members of Legis-
lature-Term Odious to
Japan Is Not Included
IBy Associated Press. ]

Sacramento, Cal, April 29.-PossibiI-
ity Of an amicable adjournment of the
alien land controversy by means Of a
new bill, drawn In strict conformity
with the treaty between Japan and
the United States. confronted tonight
the third secret conference OF Secre-
tary OF State Bryan with Governor
Johnson and the California Legisla-
turc. The conference was called for
$50 o'clock
Attorney General Webb drafted the
new measure at the suggestion of Gov
ernor Johnson, and copy was placed
IN the hands Of Secretary Bryan. The
term Ineligible TO citizenship" which
is declared by Secretary Bryan to be
odious to the Japanese. Is not included,
and Progressive Republican leaders are
confident they have arrived at a solu-
ton OF the problem that will receive
the Endorsement of President Wilson.
Secretary Bryan declined TO comment
on the new bill except In the confer
ence.
Features of Bill.
The principal features of the bill are
as follows:
/. All aliens eligible to citizenship
may acquire and hold land in the same
manner as citizens or the United States
2. All other aliens may ACQUIRE and
hoid land lin the manner and 10 the
extent and for the purposes prescribed
ny any treaty now existing between
the government of the United States
ana the nation or country of which such
alien Is citizen or subject"
3. Corporations composed OF aliens
other than those who are eligible 70
citizenship may acquire and hold land
only according to the terms of exist :
ing treaties.
4, Present holdings of aliens. re-
Gardiess or their rights to citizenship.
are protected -
o The State specifically reserves its
sovereign rights to enact alien laws
lfelating TO the acquisition or hoIdinr
! OF real property by aliens.
Attorncy-General webb worked upou
me theory that there could be no oh
Jection to writing into the stare tbe
specific limitations OF tho .Jananase
treaty of 1911. Under the terms nj
inns treaty, Japanese subjects are per-
inttted TO own houses and lands for
residential purposes. factories. manu-
factories and Shops according TO Mr.
webb. Another clause permits Ian
anese subjects to lease land for "rasi
Dental and commercial purnoses"
stipuiatiOns Mndc.
lhese arc the only stipuIations made
anu it is the belief OF the Attorney
.eneral that the rights of Japanese
sun!ccts TO land ownership in the
/
ms construction of the treaty, no land
can be owned or leased by a Japanese
lor agricultural purposes, except that
Wnich is already owned. or for any
other purpose except those set forth
IN the agreement between the nations
ENpiainlng the wording of the sub
stitute bill. Mr.. Webb said:
our theory is that at the time the
treaty was framed, Japan asked for All
lhe rights as TO ownership of land I'm
Caii1ornia that that nation desired Tor
her subjects, and that the treaty as
! IL now stands. represents all that japan
| ASKED and all that the United States
is willing TO grant
This act does not draw the line unon
abiens ab,n I', Who are Ineligible to citizen
gives not only TO Japan. but 10 every
nation whose subjects are Ineligible to
CCi,tilensnip under the laws OF the United
states. the full rights to ownership of
land in California that the treaties be-
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