The Washington times., 1913-04-21
WILSON NEUTRAL IN
AL|ENLA BATTLE
President Against Favoritism in
Land Legislation Which
Stirred California.

PresideAt Wilson is against any dis
elimination in the land legislation now
pending In California This was :ndi-
Gated at the White House today. The
President, however. does not intend to
take any position as to the particular
bill which he will favor.
The position of the Federal Govern
ment today is that the State should
avoid, IL possible, making distinctions
against any nation. and in this manner
avoid any international complications
That there is better feeling between
the United States and Japan is be-
lieved at the White House today. The
interest of the Federal Government in
the pending legislation has apparently
quieted the and-American feeling OF
certain elements of the japanese, ac-
cording to advices reaching the White
House today.
No New Steps.
The President has taken no new steps
In the controversy. but he is still work
ing to avoid trouble with Japan. Indica-
tions today point to action by the Cali
fornia legislature regardless Of Federal
feeling in the matter.
The California legislature, it is be-
ieved here,Swants the issue defined once
for all so that 1t may know about the
future disposition of lands which are
rapidly coming under japanese control
The Legislature. by passing the law,
might draw from Japan test case in
the United States Supreme Court, but
the Federal Government Is working
strenuously to avoid an ycomplications.
Whether the test case would be con-
sidered in the light of a serious COM
plication Is not given out at the White
House, but there is a general feeling
mere that this solution would be a good
one for a problem that is troubling both
the United States Government ard the
California State government.
To Confer Soon.
CONGRESSMAN Raker and President
Wilson will confer in a day or two,
If present plans are carried out. This
conference NAV have an important
bearing on the matter.
Members of the California deIega-
ficn are convinced there Will be leg
islation and that ii will be in a form
at which Japan cannot take serious
offense, under the treaty. 1t is be-
will do his best to head off legislation
except in such form as Will meet the
wishes of the Administration.
Members of the California delega-
ticn awaited with anxiety definite
wcrd from aScramento as to " hat ac-
tion would be taken.
California possesses the right and the
duty to regulate land tenure. This
statement summarizes the opinion OF
Congressman Kent Of California.
California, knowing its own prob
lens best, should pass the anti-alien
land bill. which our people DESIRE" con-
tinued Congressman Kent. land there
community from complications that
would forever be productive of friction
and strife"
Mr.. Kent takes the yeiw that the.
States have the right to regulate their
internal affairs in so far az land owner
ship is concerned. and that citizenship
should be a matter of invitation. He
views the demand of a foreign govern
Joent for the privilege Of sending its
residents here and asking citizenship
rights of the State. The state, he con-
s.ders I'm light similar to the home.
England Would Aid.
Alfred Moves, English poet, who is
stopping here with his wife. nee Gar
nett Daniels. of America, declares that
in case of serious complications witr
Japan, the support and sympathy OF
England would be thrown with the
England and America would cause this
result, he believes.
As for the California problem, Mr..
Noyes says that he does not blame Cal
ifornia for its stand or the problem.
Mr. Noyes sta-ids for the imperialism
of peace in contrast to Eipling's idea
OF military Imperialism, and he believes
that England and America could band
together in a peaceful union with Der
manent results for the whole world.
Following reports that Japans agi-
iation is subsiding because of Presi-
dent Wilson's stand, United States
the Diplomatic CorpE are expressing ap-
probation of the Presidents efforts
Shows Attitude.
These men are inclined to believe that
the Presidents letter to California has
shown Japan that the Federal Govern
nlent is ready to do all in its power TO
prevent violation of treaty rights. Cali
fornians, IL is felt here, will not regard
the action of President Wilson in the
light Of an interference on the part of
the Federal Government.
The adjournment OF the California
legislature to the end of the week is
regarded here as an opportunity for the
snti-American feeling in japan to quiet
down.
The holding of land by aliens in
Japan IL intended to be on a reciprocal
basis. but this law has not been put
In operation, as an imperial edict Is
necessary to make il effective. This is
shown in the land law of japan Dub-
lished in the official gazette at Tokyo in
April, 1910. Treaties usually establish