The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1913-04-24
BRYAN MAY GO
TO CALIFORNIA
PRESIDENT CONSIDERS JAPAN.
EsE DEVELOPMENTS SERIOUS.
SENDS TELEGRAMS TO LEADERS
Wishes Secretary Of State to Visit
Sacramento and Assist In Franz
ing Measure That viii Not Con
fiict With Existing Treaties.


Washington, D. c., April 23.-Presi
dent Wilson considers the Japanes,
Developments in California so seriou.
that he has telegraphed Governor
Johnson and the legislative leaders
asking whether it will be acceptable
with the governor and the Legislature
for Secretary of State Bryan to visit
Sacramento to counsel with the COVER
nor and the legislature to cooperate
in the framing of a law which will
meet the views of the Californians
and still not interfere with existing
treaties.
Senator RIrdsalI's New Bill.
Sacramento, April 49, - Attacking
the antialien land ownership situa
ton from an angle entirely different
from any embraced in the various
measures thus far offered in the legis
lature, Senator Ernest Birdsall today
made it known that he had prepared
for introduction of bill directed
against Americans who would sell
land to foreigner ineligible to citi.
zenship.
Roosevelt Takes Hand.
New York, April 23.-Colonel Roose.
welt has taken hand in the Califor-
mia alien land bill situation, it became
known here today when it was admit
ted at the Outlook office that the for
mer president had sent a telegram
to Governor Johnson in regard to the
legislature which has been construed
as unfair to the Japanese. The text
OF the message was withheld here, it
being stated that it would have to
come from Governor Johnson if he
cared to make it public. 1t is known,
however, that the Colonel urged John
son to bring all pressure to bear upon
the California legislature to prevent
the passage of such bill as is now
under consideration.
confers With Leaders.
Washington. April 23.-President
Wilson, after conference with the
Democratic delegation from Calf
fornia. telegraphed Governor johnson
and legislative leaders in California
appealing to them not to enact any
anti-alien land laws in contravention
Of treaty obligations of the United
States with Japan.
Text Of Telegram.
The telegram was as follows:
Il speak upon the assumption,
which l am sure Ia well founded, that
the people of California do not desire
their representatiyes-and that their
representatives do not wish or intend
in any circumstances to embarrass
the government Of the United States
In its dealings with a nation with
which 1t has most earnestly and cor
daily sought to maintain relations of
genuine friendship and good will, and
that least of all do they desire to do
anything that might impair treaty OBJ
honor and good faith of the nation
and its government.
Asked Not to Discriminate.
Il therefore appeal with the utmost
confidence to the people, the governor
and the legislature of California to
act in the matter now under consider
alton in a manner that cannot from
any point of view be fairly challenged
or called in question. II they deem 1t
necessary to exclude all aliens who
have not declared their Intentions to
become citizens from the privileges Of
land ownership they can do so along
lines already followed in the laws Of
many of the other states and of many
foreign countries, including Japan her.
self Insidious discrimination will in
evitably draw in question the treaty
obligations of the government of the
United States.
Il register my very earnest and
very respectful protest against dis
elimination in this case. not only be-
cause deem 1t my duty to do so as
the chief executive of the nation, but
also, and the more readily, because |
believe the people and the legislative
authorities OF California will gener-
ously respond the moment the matter
is frankly presented to them as a
question of national policy and of ma
tional honor. II they have ignored
this point OF view, 1t is. / am sure, be-
cause they did not realize what and
how much was involved"
Takes Up Topic With Delegation.
The California Democratic congress
sional delegation, consisting of Repre-
sentatives Ketner Raker and Church,
called on the president about appoint
ments, but Mr.. Wilson deferred that
subject and Immediately took up the
alien land situation. He told his Wis
itofs that he had no desire to seem
to be In any way encroaching upon
the sovereign right OF California to
legislate as she pleased, but that he
felt 1t was his duty to call the atten-
ton OF the leaders in the state TO the
international question involved,
Mr. Raker told the president that II
his course in appealing to the legisla,
ture proved futile it's influence might
be to cause the submission of any law
passed TO referendum.
Continued on Page %