The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-21
JAP SITUATION UNCHANGED.
PROTESTS AGAINST LAND LAW
MAY BE DEFERRED UNTIL
ITS ENFORCEMENT.
No Developments Occur and Tension
causes Anxiety I'm Diplomatic Cir
cles-GOvernOr johnson viii Take
His Time I'm Signing Bill-Japancsc
Dislike Treatment as Inferior Race.

Dislike treatment aS Inferior Race
Washington, May 1S.-Tension over
the Japanese situation continues to
excite anxious attention in official and
diplomatic quarters but there were no
specific developments today at the
White House, the state department or
the Japanese embassy.
Nine of the 80 days which Gov.
Johnson, under the California legis-
lation, has i'm which to sign the alien
land bill have now elapsed and the
impression is beginning to gain
ground here that the governor will
avail himself of the full measure of
time, even though no has declared his
purpose to approve the Webb bill.
Secretary Bryan has not communi-
Gated with the governor since the
receipt of his telegraphic message
setting out his reasons for upholding
the action of the legislature, but is
simply waiting for the final act of
signature before making reply to the
Japanese note protesting against the
legislation.
Whether the Japanese embassy
will await the expiration OF the fun
3O-day period of grace before maxi
ing fresh representations on this sub.
Ject To the state department depends
entirely upon the judgment of the
foreign office in Tokyo, for from this
point forward all OF the proceedings
In the negotiations will be lad refer
endum."
IL has been suggested that although
there may be some preliminary ex-
changes before the event the Japa-
nese government can find no technical
reason for demanding relief before the
commission of some action, under the
terms Of the Webb law, to the detri-
ment OF Japanese subject. In that
case further considerable delay Is
probable as the act will not go into
operation for period OF 80 days after
1t receives the APPROVAL of the gov
ernor. 1t is generally accepted that
one of the primary points of protest
by Japan is that the California law is
In contravention OF the treaty OF 1911,
but exactly wherein has not thus far
been discussed.
Gov. Johnson's last communication
to the federal authorities analyzed the
treaty and the law to the end of
showing that the latest enactment is
in no way contravention OF the
treaty The first and most formal is
sue, Therefore. appears to be over this
question of whether the law is or is
not contrary to the treaty.
While the Japanese viewpoint has
not been made known from any Off
cial source, II is believed here that
they consider the first clause of the
new law Az the one contravening the
spirit II not the letter of the treaty.
This first clause allows aliens
eligible TO citizenship" to hold lands.
AS the Japanese under the present
naturalization laws are not eligible to
citizenship. this clause specifically de-
bars them from land ownership.
Aside from the issue on the tech.
nical construction of the treaty. it is
believed here that the Japanese are
chiefly concerned in the general effect
of the legislation in placing them in
the position Of an inferior race.
Some Of the diplomatic observers
express surprise that larger advantage
has not been takn of those informal
amenities which frequently have Il
powerful intleunce in supplementing
formal legislation. Thus far the meet
ings have been rather brief and con-
ined strictly To the business i'm
hand. This has afforded little or no
opportunity for informal exchanges
of courtesies and expressions of mu-
tual good will. 1t has frequently oc-
CURED i'm the past during delicate
diplomatic negotiations, notably ut the
time Of the British American fisher
les cOntrOverysy. that the Informal and
social side of the exchanges contrib
utcd more than the formal exchanges
towards bringing about satisfactory
solution.
In diplomatic quarters the rank Of
NiscOunt Chinda as an ambassador
gives him an exceptional status Al,
such he Is the representative of his
sovereign and the usage gives to an
&mhassadur the privilege of carrying
ON his business with the head of the
nation, instead OF through depart
mental channels. The ambassador