The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-29

str1ctlonS to or1entals alone.
Breadth of Sentiment
The conference with Secretary Bryan
served to show the breadth of the senti- |
ment In favor of an alien land law that
shall be effective In checking the Japan
ese and Chinese immigration. A dozen
or more senators and assemblymen de-
clared the people of the state were al
most a unit in demanding such law,
and It was threatened that unless the
legislature act at this time, the matter
would be taken up through the initiative
and passed by the people themselves.
The conference opened with Lieutenant
Governor Wallace In the chair and Secre-
tary Bryan seated with Governor john
son and Speaker c. C. Young of the
assembly on the platform. Secretary
Bryan was introduced and in a brief
statement asked the conference to tell
him the exact situation.
II was sent to Sacramento at the
request of President Wilson," said Mr..
Rryan, ito consult with the governor
and the members of the Legislature on
the pending alien land legislation. L
am more Interested In the methods to
be employed than in the end to be at
tained, and 1 would be pleased to hear
suggestions from any of you before
Speaking further"
Senator Boynton. administration floor
leader. thanked Mr.. Bryan on behalf of
tho Legislature for his visit. He then
outlined the situation for the visitor,
saying in part:
AT the time President Wilson's tele- |
gram was received last week. announc-
inS the wish to send Secretary of State
Bryan to confer with this legislature,
there were two bills on this subject
before the senate.
TT was apparent that the people Of
the state were strongly in favor of the
enactment of an alien land law and
such a law probably would have been
passed before this time itf 1t had not
been for the telegram from the Presi-
dent At his request we postponed fur
ther consideration of the matter until
Mr.. Bryan could present his views"
Outlined Situation
Senator Boynton then requested Mr..
Bryan to point out specifically the OBJ
Jections of tho national government and
of Japanese to the pending measure
and to give his reasons from dip1o-
matte standpoint why California should |
not enact such a law. When Mr.. Bryan |
remained silent other members of the |
majority party urged him to comply |
with the request. Senator Caminetti, |
democrat, suggested that a small group |
Cf members from both houses be Sc |
lected to hear Mr.. Bryans arguments. |
but Boynton protested and carried his |
point.
After several others had spoken, many |
of them, quoting statistics to show the
increase in land holdings by Japanese in |
recent years, Secretary Bryan arose. His |
first statement was concerning the secret |
conference, which he said he had favored |
With the support of Governor johnson |
and the presiding officers of both houses |
Secretary Bryan said he could speak with |
more frankness to the members than he |
could to "a promiscuous audience
"As the representative Of the President |
he began, II feel keenly the responsibility !
that is placed upon me. / would have !
preferred to have him come himself, as
the head of the nation, but that seemed
impossible and he delegated me to speak |
for him. | do not pretend to do other
than express his views. l am simply his
spokesman, and will say to you only that
what he would have me say
"As to the constitutionality of our
treaty with Japan, you will pardon me If
decline to act as the supreme court |
Further. as to the question of immigra-
ton think we can consider that ques- |
tion as Independent of the land question |
with which we are here concerned"
Questions concerning the treaty and the
immigration of Japanese to the United |
States had been asked during the debate
Continuing Mr. Bryan said:
Something Must Be Done
'T have listened to what you have said |
and ! assume everything to be true; that |
you have not overdrawn nor exaggerated !
the feeling of the people of California |
in the matter. ] can assume that the |
people demand that something be done |
'In that case, the first question is |
whether the legislation is demanded at |
this time. If ii can be delayed, then the |
first suggestion that the President would |
have me make Is that you permit an eff |
fort to be made to deal with the question |
diplomaticaly, with view to reaching |
the same results without Legislation
IF the demand is so immediate that |
this cannot be done can action be deferred |
for two years and In the meantime have |
commission appointed to investigate |
conditions and act with executive? Would |
it not be worth while to try this plan |
before you adopt the plan that might |
result in unfriendliness from a foreign |
nation?
II am not going to indulge in any
speculations as to what may happen IL |
you do anything now. but I am here to |
advise against the use of any language |
that would offend any people that have
dealings with u.s.
In case immediate action was demand |
ed, Secretary Bryan said, he would be in
favor of a law framed along the lines |
Of the Illinois law, or the federal statute |
in the District of Columbia both of which
are general in character.
No Speculation
Either of these measures is prefer
able to language that includes the words
Ineligible to citizenship, added Mr..
Bryan. president Wilson believes that
&c you use these words, you might as
well make law declaring specifically
against Japanese and Chinese ownership.
This expresses the views of the Presi-
dent lie desires me TO say that if such
a law is passed. he will recognize his
duty as President TO all in his power to
minimize the i'll feeling that might be
aroused. AT the same time. he believes
II his duty as President to urge earn
est consideration of his advice which is
given here with no de.iire to Interfere i
with what you may regard as necessary.
Aud further he urges that If you pro-
ceed at once you consider the advisability
of using language that cannot be justly
criticised as offending those nations with
whom we are friendly
2fhe afternoon session of the confer
enee. beginning at 4 and slasting until II
o'clock. brought a climax to the day s