The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-16
BRYAN RECEIVES
MIkADO PROTEST
CALIFORNIA; Legislation High
" Objectionable to Japan,
State Secretary Is Told.
VISCOUNT CHINDA CALLS
Administration Shows No indication of
Interfering with States
Proposed Laws.

The anti-Japanese land measures pend
ing in the Legislature of California, was
discussed yesterday afternoon by Presi-
dent Wilson and Viscount Chinda, the
Japanese Ambassador After leaving the
White House, Viscount Chinda went into
conference with Secretary of State Bry-
an on the same subject.
The Ambassadors visit was the occa-
sion Of the first communication either
the President or Mr.. Bryan have had
with him since he was furnished with
land bill. which is expected to pass the
California Senate at any hour. 1t Is
understood that Viscount Chinda inform
ed Secretary Bryan and the latter's chief
that his government found the terms Of
the measure highly Objectionable. and
contrary to the interests Of Japanese
subjects in California
Friends OF tho pending bill maintain
that Japan's rights under her treaty
with the United States are conserved,
and that the japanese government has
no ground of complaint. The bill not
only states that the act shall not i'm
pair any treaty rights. but it also gives
to Japanese the privilege OF owning and
leasing land. The difficulty. and the
Japanese objections, arise from the fact
limited to one year, and the term of
leasing land is limited to three years.
and the privilege of renewing such lease
of extending it's term beyond three
years is positively denied by the Ian
guage of the bill.
Compromise Is Sought.
The result of the conference between
the President. Secretary Bryan, and the
A 49,
already has been made known. however.
that the Federal government will en-
deavor to serve as go-between for
Japan and California, with the object
of ascertaining what will be most ac-
ceptable to both sides in the matter.
Inasmuch as the Californians have de-
clared that they are determined to elimi-
nate the japanese farmer from their
State. by one way or another, and that
it is this determination. rather than the
technical phraseology of bills, to which
Japan objects most. there is little real
hope of bringing about a solution of the
situation which shall be satisfactory to
both sides. President Wilson has him
self admitted that about all the Federal
government can hope to do, as he views
the situation. is to induce California to
accomplish her purpose in the manner
least offensive to japanese sensibilities
and with respect to the treaty rights of
the Japanese in this country.
What impresses many of the President
callers, who have discussed with him the
Japanese complaint. as the most signifi-
cant phase of the situation. is the Presi-
dents view of his own duties and powers
in the matter. The fact that seems to
be uppermost in the Presidents mind Is
this: that California is a sovereign State.
In the discussions of the situation, the
President has brought out what appears
to be an overwhelming consciousness Of
CALIFORNIA; sovereignty and her rights
to prescribe the conditions under which
land may be held in her territory
The impression has gained ground
among those who have talked with the
President on this matter that out of
respect for CALIFORNIA; sovereignty, he
would let the matter take its course in
that State, and then endeavor to make
some settlement with the government of
Japan in the way of compensation. That
is, his plan seems not to be to influence
State action for the sake of relieving
the national government from embarass-
ment, but rather as head of the national
government. to accept the blame for
what the State may do, and endeavor to
make restitution. He has declared re-
Gently that where the Federal govern
ment promises more than 1t can deliver,
there is nothing for it to do but pay dam
ages, as was done in regard to the
lynching of some Italians in Louisiana
some years ago.