Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-12
But Believes Negotiations
Have Not Reached
Alarming Stage.
EXPECTS SETTLEMENT T
Protest Entered With State De-
partment CouChed in
Friendly Language.


dent Wilson believes negotiations be
tween Japan and the United States
over alien land lgislaton in California
are not in an alarming stage, but that
the interchange Of views thus far has
been along frank and friendly lines
calculated to remove the appearance
OF discrimination against Japanese
subjects. The president, discussing
the subject informally today took the
violate the treaty Of Japan and the
United States.
He intimated Japan's protest was
not founded upon a claim that the
treaty would be broken in any way,
but upon a feeling that there was an
effort to discriminate against Japanese
on the ground of their alleged in
eligibility to citizenship.
COURTS YET TO SPEAK.
The president revealed that the
question OF naturalization had not yet
entered the discussion with the jap
Rnese ambassador. but that, Of course,
underlying the bill, It was realized
that the federal courts had no. finally
passed upon the question of ineligi-
bility.
II is upon the basis that the jap
anese were no. accorded privileges of
citizenship that the appearance of dis
elimination written in the bill had
arisen and II was intimated at the
White house that for the present, the
hope that the legislation in California
would either be vetoed by Governor
Johnson or delayed by a referendum
TO permit smoothing over Of some of
the features Of the situation.
CONFERENCES FRIENDLY.
Conferences thus far between Bryan
or Wilson and the Japanese ambas-
sador were described as being those of
'one gentleman to another. lntima-
tions that the japanese protest itself
was couched neither in vigorous nor
aggressive language. but was formal
and friendly in character. come from
the president himself during his talk
today, and il was pointed out that the
phrase. very earnest protest. EN-
Governor Johnson was a description
OF the note which the American gov
ernment had entertained rather than
the emphasis Of the japanese ambas-
sador.
The president was disposed TO talk
freely on the subject and appeared
confident satisfactory adjustment
would be accomplished.
Secretary Bryan's appeal TO Governor
Johnson TO veto the California anti.
alien land law is taken in official circles
here as indicating either some power
ful influences have been brough. to
bear upon the governor in the interest
Of delay or, and more probably, that
the Wilson administration is perfect
ing its record.
In this action there may be double
purpose. First. to satisfy Japan that
the federal government has done all
it can TO prevent the legislation under
its constitutional limitations. OF which
many diplomats contend Japan should
have been aware when it entered into
treaty relations. and. secondly, to
pace upon the state authorities OF
California the responsibility for any
serious outcome Of alien land legisla-
ton.
II is expected the legislature will
adjourn today and that Johnson's re-
ply will be forthcoming today or to-
morrow.
NEW TREATY WOULD FOLLOW.
II he yields to Bryan's appeal the
element of urgency will be removed,
as Japanese land owners in California
will not be in immediate danger OF
loss Of property, and the state depart
ment can at its leisure embark upon
negotiations with the japanese EN-
bassy for a new treaty TO replace that
OF 1911.
II has been suggested that possibly
by fat declaration tha: neither coun'
try shall admit the right OF citizens
of the other to hole .and in Irs terri
tories, the japanese may be satisfied
Should the governor sign the bill
notwithstanding federal opposition
legal proceedings are almost certain
10 follow the first attemp. Of the Cali
fornia authorities to escheat the prop
erty OF japanese land holders.