Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1913-04-29

beIOlc the senate. 1t is apparent the
people of this state strongly favor the
enactment of an alien land law and
such a law would probably have been
passed before this time if it had not
been for the telegram from the presi-
dent. At his request we postponed for
further consideration the matter until
Secretary Bryan could present his
views"
Turning then to the secretary Of
state. Senator Boynton requested him
to point out specifically the objections
the national government and Japan
had to the pending measures and to
! give his reasons from diplomatic
| standpoint why California should not
enact such law.
When Bryan remained silent. other
members of the majority party arose
and urged him to state his objections
to the conference. Senator CaminetU
democrat suggested a small group of
members from both houses be selected
to hear Bryan's arguments, but BOyn-
ton protested.
Il am opposed to giving the matter
over to a select conference until Sec
retary Bryan has stated to the entire
membership of the legislature here as
sembled the reasons which impelled
the president to oppose. if he does op-
pose. the passage of the ending meas
ure said BOynton.
After several others had spoken.
many of them quoting statistics to
show the increase of land holdings by
Japanese during recent years, Secre
tay Bryan arose His first statement
concerning the sercet conference which
he said he had favored. with the sup
port of Governor Johnson and the pre-
siding officers of both houses. Secre-
tary Bryan said he could speak with
more frankness to members than he
could to a 'promscuous audience"
"As a representative of the presi-
dent" he began. Il feel keenly the re
sponsibility placed upon me. | would
have preferred to have him come him
self as the head of the nation, but as
that seemed impossible, he delegated
me to speak for him. | do not pretend
to do other than express his views. /
am simply his spokesman with that |
viii say only that which he would have
me say.
AS to the constitutonality of our
treaty with Japan YOU viii pardon me
if | decline to act as supreme court
I and further, as to the question Of i'm
migration. I think We can consider the
questions as Independent to the land
question with which we are here con-
cerned.
| Questions concerning the treaty and
I inn, ,icy,-l nf ha
United States have been asked during
: the debate.
Continuing Bryan said:
Il have listened to what YOU have
said and | assume everything to be
true; and that you have not overdraWn
nor exaggerated the feeling of the peO-
Pile of California in the matter. / can
! assume the people demand that some
thing be done"
In that case. the first question is
whether legislation is demanded at this
time. If it is delayed. then the first
suggestion of the president would have
me make in this issue is to permit an
effort to be made to deal with the
question diplomatically, with a view of
reaching the same results without leg
islatiOn
IF demand is so immediate that this
can be done. can the action be deferred
for two Years and in the meantime have
a commission appointed to investigate
the conditions and act with the eXecu-
tive? Would it not be worth While to
Ntry this plan before YOU adopt a plan
that might result in unfriendiiness
from a foreign nation?
in
speculations as to what may happen if
: YOU do anything now but | am here to
? advise against the use of any language
that would offend any people who have
: dealings with us"
4 In case of immediate action on the
= demand Secretary Bryan said. ne
G would be in favor of a law framed
= along the lines of the Illinois law. OF
the federal statute Of the District OF
4 Columbia, both of which are general il
. character.
t Either of these measures are pre-
e ferrable to language that includes the
= words ineligible to citizenship, added
G Bryan.
e President Wilson believes if you us,
d these words you might well MAKE
e a law declaring specifically agains
n Japanese and Chinese ownership"
= This expresses the views of th
president He desires me to say /
= such law is passed he will reCog
d nze his duty as a president to do al
= in his power to minimize the ill feel
g ing that might be aroused. At the time
= he believes it his duty rs a president t
d urge the earnest consideration of hi
e advice which have given here with n
desire to interfere with what YOU ma
: regard as necessary. And further h
II urges If YOU proceed al once. YOU WI
s consider the adVisabiitY of us'n
J. language that cannot be justly crit
e cised as offending those nations wit
l. whom we are friendly"
d The executive conference with Sec
Is retarv of State Bryan in the as
= sembly chamber today left little tim
for routine business but several sen
N ate bills passed the assembly an
> were sent to the governor, includin