Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-05-19
Governor johnson Has Twen-
V-one Days Before Il Be
comes Necessary to SIGN
California Land Bill.
DIPLOMACY WAITS ON
ACTION BY EXECUTIVE
Mikado'S Government Has
Cootended for Last Half
Century Against lis People
Being Considered inferior.

'sf @osaHo lovaNal ssrciAi tsAsen wlnst
N"Shlhhtoni MAY lS.-Tension over
me Japanese situation continues Ia
excite attention IN official and din.
l'maiie quarters. but there were no
specific Developments today al the
WHITE House, the state department on
the japanese embassy.
Nine Of the thirty days Governor
Johnson has under the California con-
atitntion TO sign the alien land hin
have elapsed, and the impression 4
BEGINNING to gain ground here that
the governor viii avail himself Of the
fnll measure of time even though he
has declared his purpose 70 approve
the Wehh bill Secretary nryan has
not communicated with the governor
since the receipt OF his Geographic
message setting forth his reasons for
upholding the action Of the leglsla-
tufe. hut Is simply waiting for the
flhai act of signature before making
reply 20 the Japanese note protesting
against The legislation
Whether the Japanese embassy Will
continue to await the expiration Of
the fun thirty DAYS period OF grace
before making fresh representations
ON this subject to the state donart-
ment depends entirely upon the iudg.
ment of the foreign office In Toxic.
for trem this point forward an II the
proceedings 10 the NEGOTIATIONS Will be
"ad referendum. II has been. sne-
eested that although there may be
some preliminary exchanges before
the event the japanese government
can find no technical reason for de-
manding relief before the commission
OF some action under the terms of the
webb law 10 the dctriment OF "a Jap-
anose subject. In that case. further
considerable delay is probable. as the
act will not go Into operation Tor
period of ninety days after Il receives
the approval of the governor.
It is generally accepted that one OF
the primary points Of protest by ia
pan Is that the California law is IN
eontravention Of the treaty Of 1917.
but exactly wherein has not thus far
been disclosed Governor Johnson's
last communication 10 the federal au-
thorities analyzcd the treaty and the
law 10 the end of showing that the
latest enactment Is 10 no way a coil
trnveution of the treaty. The first
and most fundamental issue, there
fore, appears to be over this question
Of whether the law is or is not con
trary TO the treaty
While the Japanese viewpoint has
not been made known from any Of
flcial source, yet II is believed here
that they consider The first clause oe
the new law as the one eontravening
tho spirit, It not the letter Of tho
treaty. This first clause allows aliens
"eligihle to citizenship" 70 hold lands
AZ the japanese are not. under the
present naturalization laws, eligible
to citizenship, this clause specifically
debars them from land ownership.
Aside from the issue on the techni-
cal construction Of the treaty. It is be-
lieved here that the japanese are
chiefly concerned IN the general et
feet Of the legislation In placing them
in the position Of an inferior race. IL
was pointed out here today that It IS
against this they have been contend
ing since the memorable visit Of Adj
mral Perry Of Japan, when they be-
gan the movement which later estah-
lishcd them on a modern basis among
the nations oe the world one OF
their first steps was TO terminate the
old extra ra-tcrritoral system, by when
the United states and other foreign
countries carried on court in japan IN
order To Try American citizens. on the
theory that Japanese laws were not
modern to secure Justice
Ia foreigners The xtra-terrltorlai
treaties were brought to an end
through the efforts of Minister kuri-
no. AZ washington. and this served as
i start in terminating them with
-;reat Britain, France and other coun-
tries. 1t was regarded as "a distinct
that the japanese Jaw h'so
advanced to a modern stage Whers
Ihere was no further need for foreign
courts and as terminating Il system
which Japan regarded as placing on
ner a reflection of racial inferiofity'
rho nresent attitude IN desiring eaual-
~ In the matter Of land ownership =
regarded in official circles as some
vhat similar to this previous move
nent OF Japan to terminate what 1hey
badge Of inferioriN on
heir race. -
some of the diplomatic observers
ss s,,rnrisa that larger advant-
zee has not been taken OF those ~
ormal amenities which freauenuN
ave powerful Influence in supple
ncnting formal exchanges. Thns Lar.
~ meetings have heen rather pre-
md confined strictly to business III
,and. This has afforded little or no
for informal exchanges