New-York tribune., 1913-05-20
Masses of tho Island Empire
Have Confused Suspicion
That National Honor
Is Impugned in
Some Way.
BRYAN AND ENVOY CONFER
All Negotiations Hereafter Will Be
Referred at Once to Tokio-John
Bassett Moore Upholds Cali
fornia Measure as Non
Discriminatory.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

lrion Inc irlDuHe BUREAU
Washington, May 19-This govern.
ment's reply 20 Japans protest against
the California anti-alen law was pre-
sented to the japanese Ambassador By
the Secretary of State at 5 o'clock this
aft loon. twc $ after the admin
istration learned that Governor John
son had sigred tie Web -Bloodgood
bill
The replyof the United SITES TO the
formal protest was drafted by John
Bassett Moore, counsellor for the De-
partment Of State, and in the main is
a defence Of California's action. Great
stress is laid on the contention that the
Objectionable bill guarantees TO Japan
50 citizens every right assured TO them
under the treaty Of 1911, and that the
federal government has done every
thing in its power to save from affron.
the pride Of Japan.
1t is also urged that, contrary TO the
view Of Japan, the anti-aien land act
gives even more liberties to the Japan
ese than does the treaty especially the
right to lease, within limitations, agri-
cultural lands.
Concerned Over Jingoism.
Much concern IS now felt in official
circles as to the probable reception o.
the answer Of the United States by the
Japanese people.
II is recognized that the jinso els-
ment in Japan is dete led that tire
adjustment of the dispL, shall be ia
vorable to the island empire, and will
far from welcome any reply which docs
not promise removal Of the alleged
discriminatory attitude Of California.
The jingoes are feared by tho con-
servative classes Of both nations.
The next diplomatic step IN the ne
gotiations will be q rejoinder by Japan.
This note is expected to meet the ar
guments of this government, which
maintain that the California law is not
in violation OF the treaty Of 1911 Al
ready the japanese government has ad-
vanced the contention that the treaty
has been violated. so that the issue, as
now clearly defined. makes necessary
some method OF adjustment Of the dis
pute.
Underneath the purely technical
claims Of the Japanese Embassy is that
strong sentiment in Japan that the
spirit Of tho enactment" is humiiating
to the Japanese people.
Tho masses in japan do not under
stand the real issues in the nesotia-
tions, but rather have an inchoate but
decided idea that the United States has
in some way sIishted the honor Of the
nation.
This sentiment is the dangerous fac
tor in tho situation, in the opinion OF
the administration, which appreciates
tho aninnosity Of certain classes against
the United States as result OF this
governments part in tho Portsmouth
peace conference.
Matter Of National Pride.
1t is realized here that the japanese
government is not greatly concerned
about the exclusion OF its subjects
from America, for they are much
needed in Manchuria. Corea and For
mosa. Underlying the whole objection,
II is said, is the intense national pride
of the japanese, which has been
touched to the quick by the general
development of anti-Japanese feeling
on the Pacific Coast. The general
principles Of international law are re-
garded by Japan as outraged by TINS
Webb act. The mere fact that Amer
lea has entered into the treaty rela-
ton with Japan is cited as an admis-
sion Of equality
The President and his advisers have
no fears about the good faith and
friendliness Of the Toxic government.
Their anxiety is caused solely by the
possibility OF the radical element ag-
gravating the situation and perhaps
engendering serious results. 1t Is be-
cause of this confidence In the Jap
anese government that President Will
son has disregarded the recommenda-
tions Of his military advisers TO pre-
pare for possible emergency.
Upon learning through press dis
patches that Governor Johnson had
signed the Webb land act, Secretary
BRYAN telephoned Viscount Chindn.
the Jap: iese Ambassador, and invited
him to come to the State Department
to receive the reply which he had been
awaiting since the presentation of his
own note on May q.
When the answer had been delivered.
Secretary Bryan and tho Ambassador
conferred earnestly for an hour The