The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-29
United States and Japan May
Wash Entire Slate.
Try to Suspend California Leg
iSIatiOn i'm Meantime.
OLD AGREEMENTS ARE WEAK
Only Intended to Meet Temper
airy School Need.
j. b. Moore, Acting Secretary
of State, in Conference.

.
Bryan's proposition to the Californians
to suspend the passage and applica-
ton of anti-Japanese legislation until
the president ras had an opportunity
to negotiate a new treaty with Japan
to- replace the convention of 1911 is
believed to represent tn ultimate con-
cession which the administration is
willing to make in Difference to public
feeling in California. The secretary S
statement that in event of the passage
of legislation in defiance of the pres1-
dents advice he would feel Obliged 10
do everything possible Ito minimize
the ill-feeling that may be aroused,
is regarded here as marking purpose
on the part of the government to be-
come an intervenor with the japanese
in any suit which they may bring be-
fore the federal courts to nullify the
action of the California legislation.
Assuming that one of the questions
which Mr.. Bryan has transmitted to
the president for the California legls-
lation is as to the probable time for ne
gotiating a new treaty with Japan and
framed to meet the views of Califor-
mia without being Objectionable to
Japan, it maX be said that such
method of settling the present issue
already has been given some CONSIDER
alton.
The existing japanese treaty was in
tended to meet a temporary need in
uuieting the unrest on the Pac1hc
coast over the school question. Neith-
er party has been satisfied with It's
workings. 1t is remarkable for It's
omissions, compared with other treat
les of trade and commerce. For in
stance, probably no provision for the
acuuirement and holding of land by
either Americans or japanese; not
even the extremely limited favored
nation clause covers the usual COM
mon law rights in such matters and
singular to say, there is no provision
whatever against discrimination.
When Secretary Bryan started for
California he was aware that there
was absolutely no treaty proh1bt-|
ton against such action as the CALI
fornians now propose, and ne must
rely on their patriotism and patience
to assist the national govefnment III
solving the present d1f1lculty py uiplo-
matte means.
President Wilson and John Bassett
Moore, counsellor of the state depart
ment who has devoted much attention
to the consideration and definition OF
the rights of aliens within the United
States were in consultation FOR more
than an hour today considering the
prospects of being able to frame a new
treaty satisfactory to the Callforn1ans
and the Japanese within a reasonable
time Probably a definite answer to
the question can be given only aIteT
the conferences have been extended
to include Viscount Chlnda, the Jap
anese am bassador here.
Moore Takes Bryan's Place.
When the cabinet assembled, John
Bassett Moore, acting secretary or
state, was invited by the president to
sit in the place of Mr.. Bryan 1t IS
rare occasion when an acting head of
a department sits with the cabinet and
usually he is sent for only for brief
period while the business or ms de-
partment is considered. Mr Moore
STAYED virtually throughout the cab1-
net meeting, which was taken as an
indication that the Japanese question
took almost the entire time OF the
president and his advisers. MI Moore,
who is an authority on international
law, has given considerable study to
the international phases of the alien
land question in California.
Although the cabinet discussed the !
situation in Mexico to some extent, the !
subject under consideration |
was the attitude of the California leg |
islature toward Mr.. Bryan's proposals
No messages were submitted by the |
president to the cabinet to be sent |
either to Mr.. Bryan or the California |
authorities and members of the cab1- !
net also said no conclusions had been !
reached. The view was expressed, /
however that the administration |
would not recede from it's position as
described in Mr.. Bryan'S suggestions /
to the California legislature yesterday. :
In the event of a rejection of those .
suggestions, cabinet members felt that .
the Japanese government would real .
iZe that the Washington government !
had done everything in its power to |
prevent discrimination.
There were intimations that some of +
the members of the cabinet reported /
a growing sentiment about the coun- ,
try for a more careful inquiry into the
California viewpoint of the Japanese
question. This. it was said, however,
would be in line with the suggestion /
of Mr.. Bryan to postpone considera- /
ton until a thorough investigation !
could be made and an understanding |
arrived at with Japan through diplo- |
matte channels.