The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1913-05-23
ALIEN BILL SIGNED
GOV JOHNSON APPROVES MEAS
URE WHICH JAPANESE DE-
CLARE RACIAL REFLECTION.
CHINDA GIVEN U. S. REPLY
Ambassador Forwards TO His Govern
reent President Wilson's Answer to
Protest Against CALIFORNIA; leglsl-
Iation-Not Made Public.

Sacramento, Cal, May 2O.-Gov. III
ram W. Johnson signed the alien land
bill, against which japan protests and
which the California legislature passed
by an overwhelming majority over the
remonstrances of President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan. The act will go
into effect August 10, 90 days after the
adjournment of the Legislature, May IL.
Governor Johnson, in signing the
bill, gave out the following statement:
81 repeat what have before said;
That California for the first time in its
history has an alien law. Any man
who wishes another kind of a law may
consistently invoke the initiative. NO
man who really wishes an anti-allen
law will sign a referendum as to this
law.
IF another law is sought it may be
presented by means of the initiative,
and in the meantime the present law
will be in operation. To tie up the
present law means no law until No
vember, 1914"
Japan Given u. S. Reply.
Washington, May 20.-The reply OF
the United States to the Japanese pro-
test against the enactment OF the Call
fornia alien land law was handed TO
Viscount Chinda, the Japanese amDas-
sador. by, Secretary of state Bryan
here. At the same time a copy OF the
reply was cabled to Toxic for personal
presentation to the mikadOs govern
ment by the American charge DAT
flares.
Owing to the fact that Japan fatty
refused to make public the text OF her
original protest against the enforce
ment of the bill, government officials
here said that the United States could
not publish the text of the American
reply, which is couched in terms which
correspond to the protest in such a
manner that the latter could be de-
| duced from the former. 1t is under
stood, however, that the Bryan reply
| is every bit as frank as was the pro-
test and that it outlines the United
| States position in no uncertain terms.
| Stands by California.
Japan is informed that this govern
ment is bound by the action of the Cal
ifornia legislature and governor, but
that the administration has done and
will continue to do everything in It's
power to prevent the least breach IN
the friendly relations between the two
governments. A new treaty is limited
at in the reply and it is further stated
that the enforcement of the law can
probably be deferred until after nego
tiations for this new treaty are well
under way.
This is the last step of this govern
ment with respect to the Japanese sit
uation. The next move will come from
Toxic and government officials said
that it could not forecast with any de-
gree of certainty, but Governor John
sons action in signing the bill would
undoubtedly bring the situation to
crisis
Wilson Says Japs' Pride Hurt.
President Wilson clearly indicated tc
callers that he believes the racial pride
of the Japanese to be at the bottom OF
the whole matter-that the feeling is
that Americans do not consider the
Orientals on the same level with them
selves has produced a hot resentment
in Japan, which has found an outlet in
the present situation.
The president also believes that the
Portsmouth conference. suggested by
and carried on under former President
Roosevelt, has a great deal to do with
the present unrest, because the Jap
anese feel that they do not get all that
was coming to them by the terms Of
the conference.