The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-01
California Legislature Will
Drop All Bryan Conferences.
Majority Will Not Wait for Re-
turn of Secretary of State.
WASHINGTON IS ASSURED
Bryan Wires President That
All Will Be Well.
Officials Silent on Ant1-Allen
Ownership Measure.

Sacramento, May 1-When the SEN
ate convened today it expected to take
up the Webb redraft of the alien land
law bill in the regular order of busl-
ness without farther conference with
Bryan. Senators BirdsaH and Thomp-
son, joint authors of the original DILL
were confident that it would pass, ana
could see no reason why it should not
do so at once. Mr.. Bryan, who re-
turned here early today from the pan
quet given him last night in San Fran
cisco by the Panama-Pacific exposition
directors. went by automobile with
Governor johnson for sight at hrst
hand of conditions as they exist on one
of the Japanese farming colonies OF
Sacramento county.
Requests by Senators Wright, Shan
han and Caminetti for delay on the
alien land bill, in order that it might
be more maturely considered, met with
no consideration from the majority
and the chair announced that the Dill
would come up in the regular course
of business at the, morning session to-
day.
Bryan Is Optimistic.
Washington, May 1.-Secretary Bryan's
latest dispatches to the president con-
tained a note of optimism over the sit
uation in Sacramento today He is
said to have telegraphed the president
not to credit alleged misleading re-
ports of the intent of the proposed
legislation and is also said to have
expressed a belief in the solution of
the difficulty satisfactory to the people
of California and to the federal gov
ernment. Although no information was
forthcoming as to the Administrations
attitude on the pending Webb BILL
report was current that John Bassett
Moore, acting secretary of state, did
not regard the measure as violation
of treaty obligations.
Secretary Bryan has telegraphed that
he will leave that city for Washington
tonight. If he can reach ST. Louis in
time he will deliver an address in that
city at the American peace congress
convention Saturday night. The secre-
tary has probably communicated di-
rect to President Wilson, the latest de-
velopments in alien land owning leg
islation but officials here are silent.
Sacramento, Cal, May There
was wide discussion of the new
bill today, although but little criticism
was forthcoming from the standpoint
of California. In comparison with
various drafts that preceded, the Webb
act is said to be more drastic and
effective in reaching the Japanese
farmers of the state than any other
proposed measure and at the same time
least Objectionable to all from an in
ternational position.
Senator Thompson declared that the
bill provided for Immediate and direct
solution of the Japanese problem" and
to this extent it is the most rigid and
uncompromising measure that has been
suggested. He denied that the working e
of the act or any part of it can be
taken a concession to the objections
of Secretary Bryan and Governor
Johnson stated today that from what
he understood of the situation, the
measure did not have the approval of
President wilson.
Jap Tariff Argument.
Washington, May 1.-Placing sugar
on the free list would result in the
turning over of the Hawaiian islands
to the Japanese, said a letter Senator
Works had read in the senate from
the Episcopal bishop of Honolulu. TT
would drive nine-tenths of the white
population, other than the troops
from the islands and leave it in the
hands of the japanese who might be
able to exist on the reduced profits
from work on sugar plantations, said
the writer.
New Ycrl Objects.
New York, May 1.-The New York
chamber of commerce adopted a reso-
luton today protesting against action
by any state in the union tending to
dishonor the United States by impair
ing treaty obligations with a foreign
state to which we are bound in terms
of amity' and appealing to the peo-
pie of California to Subordinate what
ever local irritation may exist to the
honor and welfare of the nation"