The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-10
PLEA FOR A DELAY
Uncle Sam Wants Further
Time on Alien Question.
Reported Rough Draft of An
Swer to Japan.
BRYAN-CHINDA CONFERENCE
Representatives of Two COun-
tries Talk Legislation.
Cabinet Meet Soon to Hear
Final Report.
BRYAN-CHINDA CONFERENCE

washin~ton, May 1O-Secretary
Bryan and Vfscount Chinda, the Japa-
nese ambassador, got down to business
today at an early conference over the
California alien land bill. Japan's pro-
test already has been formally present.
ed and the ambassador was waiting to
learn what the United States pro-
posed to do about the bill already pass
ed by the California legislature ana
awaiting Governor Johnson's signature
Early today there was prospect OF
special cabinet meeting to afford Sec
retary Bryan an opportunity to lay be-
fore President Wilson and his col
leagues the results of his further con-
ference with the japanese ambassador.
1t was evident that there was no dis
position to delay the question and 1t
appeared to be the intention of Sec
retary Bryan to give to the japanese
ambassador a prompt assurance OF
what his government might expect
the United States to do about the leg
islation Japan considers offensive.
The conference lasted an hour. Then
Viscount Chinda paid a short visit to
Counsellor Moore. The ambassador
having presented the views of his own
government in objection to the Cali
fornia legislation as well as that of
Arizona, withdrew to await a formal
answer from the state department. Be
y
wished to confer with President Will |
draft of the first official ca abinet an
Mt. Vernon indications We're that it |
would be late in the day if not Mon |
day before the conference between the !
secretary and the ambassador could be
resumed
Answer of United States.
These three propositions constitute |
the first reply of the United States
government to the protest of Japan.
Ffrst-That by reason of the political |
status of the California alien land law
as yet unsigned by the governor of
California the equity of protest in in
ternational law has not yet arisen so
as to justify the political protest of
Japan.
Second-That the federal government
has not violated the treaty of Ill by
the United States and Japan.
Thfrd-The United States suggests to
the imperial government at Toxic that
there be a series of conferences on the
question which will arise if the Cali
fornia alien land law is put into opera
ton in the state of California
Official statement has not been Of
ficially given out but this is the rough
draft of the first Official cabinet an
swer to the Japanese government
Whatever statement to the contrary
may be made it is certain that these
three propositions are already in the
been sent in cipher to the japanese
government.
What 1t All Means.
This reply of the United States re-
7uced to an analysis means this:
First-The propositions as a whole
constitute a plea for delay.
Second-The first proposition is per-
'ectly sound for the reason that Gov
ernor Johnson not having yet signed I
he Webb bill, the California law is not
yet what the diplomats call an ac- /
fact, and foreign govern
nent cannot base an equitable claim on
theoretic proposition.
Third-The second proposition mere {
V states an obvious fact which s
amounts to a platitude, but which is
allowable in diplomacy.
Fourth-The third proposition reveals /
he last resort plan of the United States
o avoid making the question acute on
10Th sides-as it is admittedly acute in J
he Japanese feeling. 1t suggests
mean to delay or avoid a serious de-
ision. 1t states that if Governor
Johnson should sign the bill and it
houId be put into operation, that Am
,assador Chinda and President Wilson :
II Secretary Bryan shall discuss that
vent as a new phase of the case with
he ultimate view of settling the ques-
ion diplomatically.
It is generally considered here that
he attitude OF the administration that :
federal law has not been violated : !
means that it is in advance disavowing :
he act of the state of California. In
act. the disavowal of the acts of Cali
ornia has been strongly implied by
he activity of President Wilson in y
rying to induce the state of Cali :
ornia to reject the Webb bill :
>@usng~ naUFr RAvR naE~uu II