The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-04-29

CALIFORNIA To
DELAY LAND BILL
Bryan Persuades Leg|s|atOts
to Postpone Action
DOES NOT VIOLATE TREATY
Secretary Admits Right OF State to
Secretary Admits Right OF State to
Pass Law, But Urges That Japan's
Trade Be Retained.

Sacramento, Cal, April 29.--Secre-
tary of State Bryan held two long Sc
cret conferences with members of the
legislature. Even The attaches OF both
houses were excluded.
At the first conference Bryan asked
that alien land legislation should be
postponed until some committee OF
investigation selected by the leglsia'
ture should determine that such legis-
lation was an actual necessity at this
time.
LEGISLATORS who were seen after the
close of the session expressed the con,
viction that Bryan's visit will result
in the postponement of the enactment
of any alien land legislation at this ses-
sion, and that commission from both
houses and made up Of all parties,
will be named to investigate the ne
cesisty of legislation at this time. If
this commission reports that such
legislation is needed then a special
session of the legislature will be
called.
Secretary Bryan on his arrival was
received by Governor Johnson. He
also shook hands with many Demo
cratic legislators who were at the de-
pot to welcome him.
For three hours Secretary of State
Bryan pleaded with the legislature in
secret session to delay passage of an
anti-alien land bill for two years and
to give the state department an oppor-
tunity in the meantime to accomplish
the same results Of excluding Japa-
nese from the soil by diplomacy.
Bryan acknowledged that the pend
ing bill does not conflict with treaty
rights, but he questioned the assump-
ton that the people of California de-
manded such a law. He pointed out
| that only the Democratic platform
| contained an anti-alien land law plank
eff the people want this legislation
said Bryan, why did they not elect
more of the candidates of the Demo
cratic party?"
Senator Boynton. floor leader Of The
senate, told Bryan that the Legislature
Is prepared now to pass an anti-aliel
land bill. eff you have any message
from the president" he added, "of
protest on the part of a foreign nation
let us have it now, as We would lik'
to hear of It."
Nothing further was said by Bryan
on this point. Senator Birdsall, join
author of the bill, said that If the leg
islature does not pass the bill now be
fore the legislature. that the peopl'
would Immediately pass one mor'
drastic by invocation Of the initiative
Secretary Bryan told the legislator
that If they were bound to pass al
| alien land law at this time that ht
| was authorized by President Wilson
| to request them to pass one modelled
on the Illinois law. which was the
| least Objectionable. Bryan said:
Wants to Retain Trade.
This is not an issue paramount
with the whole state. It Is not ques
ton of immigration and land owner
ship alone Friendly relations exis
between the United States and Japan
Commerce Is increasing, and the com
merce of the Orient was Of such valu'
to California as whole that 1t woult
| Offset present harm by Japanese LAM
ownership"
| Senator Sanford, Democratic leader
| sold. s4Tha kevn0ta IF the question Il