The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-23
Frantic Efforts by Wilson to
Settle Japan Trouble.
Secretary of State May Go to
California Soon.
LITTLE REGARD FOR PRESIDENT
Legislature Accepts Warning
Message without Comment.
Alien Land Bill May Be Passed
Despite Objections.

Washington, April 23.-PresloeHl
Wilson today telegraphed Governor
Hiram johnson of California asking
him whether the anti-alien legislation
could be held up until Secretary OF
State Bryan could go to Callforhla
personally to explain the position OF
the federal government and urge an
adjustment of the controversy
The presidents telegram was in re
sponse to Governor Johnson's message
of yesterday that California desired to
cooperate with the federal govern
ment to avoid international difficulties.
1t was as follows:
Governor Hiram Johnson, Sacrd-
mento, Cal:
THANK YOU for your patriotic tele-
gram We find it so difficult from this
distance to understand fully the stu
attn with regard to the sentiments
and circumstances lying back of the
pending proposition concerning the
ownership of land in the state that |
venture to inquire whether it would
be agreeable to you and the legislature
TO have the secretary OF state Visit sac
ramento for the purpose of counsel1ng
with you and the members of the leg
islature and cooperating with you and
them in the framing of a law which
would meet the views of the people OF
the state and yet leave untouched the
International obligations of the United
States.
WOODROW WILSON"
The same telegram was duplicated
to the president of the senate and the
speaker of the assembly. At the
White House it was felt that conflict
ing advices over the situation made it
ractically necessary for a representa-
tive of the administration to explain
the governments exact position in per
son.
There was no feeling, officials said,
"a ha n ha
come because Governor Johnson's tele-
gram of yesterday was regarded as ex-
pressing a desire for the fullest CO.
operation between the state and the
federal government. Representative
kettner, Democrat, of California,
brought the president some kilograms
indicating that While there was
strong sentiment to drop the legisla-
tion entirely on account of the ap-
preaching exposition and the opening
of the Panama canal, there neverthe
less was also a formidable movement
TO put through the so-called discrimi-
mating legislation at this session.
Move May Satisfy Japan.
News of the presidents suggestion
to send Secretary Bryan soon spread
throughout diplomatic circles. The
opinion was freely expressed that the
presidents course would satisfy Japan
that the federal government was doing
everything in its power. 1t is under
stood although the Japanese ambassa-
dor has made no formal representa-
tion since a week ago when he entered
protest against the legislation the atti-
tude of the Washington administra-
tion is regarded with satisfaction.
Toxic, April 23.-A resolution ad-
dressed to President Wilson and other
influential persons in the United States
urging them in the cause of good re-
lationship between Japan and the
United States to oppose the passa ee
nf he al la nd p, IN,
bill and other measures of a similar
nature, was passed today at a con-
gress of the forty-five chambers of
commerce of Japan. a copv of the
resolution will be cabled TO Washing
ton. The speeches delivered during
the gathering were of an emphatic
character.
Sacramento. April 2S.-Throurh
the exchanges of kilograms between
President Wilson and Governor John
son, the settled policy of the California
administration on the question of alien
land ownership. as agreed upon last
Sunday, was officially made known.
Governor johnson and his Dartv
leaders in the senate favor a bill ex-
Guiding from land ownership in the
state all aliens ineligible to citizensbin
under the laws of the United States
Such law probably will be passed. in
spite of the objections from Washing
ton.
The assertion is made by the cover
nor that a state law of this 1etnra
would net be in contravention of anv
existing treaty. He is upheld in this
view by the majority leaders in the
senate.
The Democrats will seek to strike
out the words ineligible to citizen-
ship" in any bill considered and on
this point the real fight on the meas
ure will be waged.
1t is not expected thar tho r,bor
n-Birdsall bill will be placed ~, fi1a
until Thursday and no action can he
taken until that time.
President wills ms message called
Iorth ittIe comment The Democratic
minority already had formulated ite
views largely in accordance wilt 49,
Bryan measure that came last Sa+11r1
day.
Governor JOhnsOn's Reply.
Sacramento, April 23.-Governor
Johnson sent the following reply to |
President Wilson's message:
THE President Washington.
Immediately on receipt of ,,orr
telegram of this date it was rarsy,o;t 80
ted to both houses of our Iepis1a+II,o !
Il think may assure YOU that II iS
the desire of the majority of r,7ey,brs
OF the legislature to do nothing in The
matter OF the alien land bill that will
be embarrassing to our own Govern
ment or offensive to any one
1T is the desire of the legisIatorS
speclncally TO provide in any act that
nothing therein shall be cons+r1,a5 -
affecting or impairing any rights cove
cred by treaty, although from tba -,
standpoint this is deemed 1nnane,-r[5,cl Scli
If any act be passed. it will he eanersi
In character relating TO tboSe -
are ineligible to citizenship and a.
language employed will be that wbinb
PIeceuents sanction in statutes which
now exist on the subject.
speak. I think, of the rnaiori+,- ,el