New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-29
Wilson's Messenger, Sometimes
Floored by Questions, Says
He Will Submit Ad-
ministration's Re-
sponse day.
OFFERS FOUR SUBSTITUTES
Illinois Idea, Which He Is Under
stood to Favor, Provides for Six
Year Tenure-Breadth of
Exclusion Sentiment
Revealed.

Revealed.
Sacramento, Cal, April 2S.-After a
day Of conference between Secretary
OF State Bryan and Governor johnson
and the members OF the California
| Legislature over anti-alien land laws,
the impression prevailed here tonight.
when adjournment was taken to await
replies from Washington. that the
resolution of the majority leaders 10
enact a bill specifically debarring
aliens ineligible TO citizenship" from
owning land in California remained un-
changed.
Mr.. Bryan, as the personal repre-
sentative of President Wilson, advised
strongly against such action. Gov
ornor Johnson, however. i'll closing the
conference for the day. made an i'm
passioned speech, in which he declared
CALIFORNIA; right TO follow the lead Of
other states in framing the land bill
was unquestioned. and said such action
now seemed assured.
Stating his position to the confer
ence. Governor Johnson said. in part:
The bill proposed for passage by the
California Legislature can call forth
no just criticism from the national ad-
ministration nor from any foreign ma
| ton. Here in California II is not
! question of whether the Japanese gov
ernmcnt takes offence at what we do,
but whether we give that government
| just cause for offence. | do not be-
lieve the proposed law prohibiting land
ownership by aliens who are ineligible
to citizenship gives the japanese just
cause for taking offence.
"lf their dignity is threatened, they
should have protested when Washing
ton and Arizona passed laws similar to
that which we now propose to pass
Mr. Bryan told the conference that
he had presented the Presidents views
as he understood them. and that he
would have TO wait until tomorrow
to learn his attitude toward possible
legislation parallel to the statutes Of
Washington and Arizona.
| Mr.. Bryan did not dispute Califor-
4; MAS right TO enact anti-alien lesisla-
ton. He simply admonished the legis-
lators that such a course was objec-
tionable TO the national administration.
Those who looked for Secretary
Bryan TO expound new theory OF
states rights were disappointed, as
were those who expected predictions OF
war. Advice in the name Of President
Wilson was all Mr.. Bryan had to offer.
and the paramount question here to-
night is whether such advice will over
come the previously announced deter
mination Of the Progressive Repuo-
lican majority TO enact an anti-alien
land holding law along lines already
agreed upon.
Secretary Bryan reatfirmed the states
right to act i'm a manner il saw fit. but
suggested several substitutes 10 the
passage of bill restricting aliens in
eligible to citizenship" basing his rea-
sons on the broad foundation of public
policy.
Substitutes Offered.
Briefly. these substitutes. in the or
der suggested, are as follows:
First-Delay immediate action ard
allow tho State Department to try to
accomplish the ends desired by means
of new treaty with Japan.
Seoond-Delsy immediate action ard
appoint a commission to investieaes
the subject of alien land ownership and
act in conjunction with the President
in securing relief.
Third-Enact a law similar to the
statute in Illinois, which permits aliens
to hold land for period no. exceeding
six years, and applies alike to all
aliens.
Fourth-Enact a law similar to the
federal statute governing land owner
ship in the District Of Columbia. which
is a general law applying to all aliens.
OF these substitutes. it may safely
be said, according to leaders in the
Legislature, that the last two are out
of the question. Many Democrats
favor turning the matter over to the
state Department. while the Progress
sive Republicans majority apparently
remains unchanged in its support Of
bill that would apply its restrictions TO
Orientals alone.
The conference with Secretary Bryan
served to show the breadth of the sem
tment in favor Of an alien land law
that shall be effective in checking the
Japanese and Chinese immigration.
A dozen or more Senators and A..
semblynen declared the people of the
state were almost unit in demanding
an anti. alien land law. and il Was
threatened that unless the Legislature