River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-01

Sacramento, Cal, April 29.-ln def
erence to Secretary of State Bryan
who has come to Sacramento to con-
fer with Governor Johnson and the
legislature on the proposed antfalien
land laws, it has been decided to
make no plans for the conferences un-
til Mr. Bryan has signified the pur-
pose of bis visit.
No Course of Action.
Governor Johnson met Sunday with
Attorney General Webb and a dozen
Of the administration leaders in the
legislature for a general discussion of
the situation with regard to Mr.. Bry-
ans visit, but no course of action was
proposed.
Governor Johnson said afterwards
that everything hinged upon the de-
sires of the states visitor.
Il cannot tell when our conference
es will be held with Secretary Bryan,
or what their nature will be, whether
public or private" said the governor.
I'm the matter of arrangements of
that kind, we are agreed that Mr..
Bryan's wishes will be scrupulously
and cheerfully observed, whatever
they may be-"
Outcome Speculative.
There is much speculation as to the
form She official visit will take and
the manner in which Secretary Bryan
will choose to impart his message
from President Wilson. 1t is gener-
ally agreed that if the secretary of
state is possessed of information Of
private or diplomatic character he
will disclose it only TO the governor
or to an executive meeting of the
two houses of the legislature, sitting
together. That such joint meeting
would be called at his request is in
Dictated by the statements of Cover
nor Johnson and others.
There are many, however who be-
lieve the secretary comes only to pro-
test openly, in the name of the fed
eral government, against violation
of any treaties of the United States
and that he will be content with the
formal presentation of such protest.
In either case, he could address the
houses separately or in joint session.
Attitude is Unchanged.
| 1t was stated by number of ad-
ministration leaders that the DISPOSE
ton to pass an anti-alien law restrict
ing aliens who are not eligible to
citizenship" remains unchanged.
1T will be necessary for Mr.. Bryan
! to change the present views of the
majority if the bill is 70 be killed.
Senator Thompson has completed
his final draft of his new bill, which
is to be presented to Secretary Bryan
as the concrete expression of the sen
timent of the majority. 1t is brief
and makes no attempt to dodge the
point at issue-the ineligibility of the
Japanese. Under its terms, no alien
who is ineligible TO become citizen
may hold land for a period longer
than one year, under penalty of hav.
| ing the property eZcheat to the state,
Leases are limited to three years.
General Significance of Visit.
Another cause of much speculation
aside from the probable contents OF
Secretary Bryan's message, was the
| ulIlHldC6 euSCC HIo NlolC might nave
upon the relationship of the individual
states with the national government
Attorneys in the legislature who
make a study of international law, de.
clare the occasion is fraught with
deep significance and that it may give
rise to an entirely new Interpretation
of the ancient theory of states rights
In the present situation it is argued
that the federal government has NO
power to deny the state of California
the right to exclude Japanese from
land ownership, and then refuse to
relieve the conditions in California
through it's own power.