Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-05-22
IT DESIRED MULTIPLICATION
THOUGHT CENTRAL GOVERN
MENT SHOULD MAKE CALI
FoRNIA REsclND ACTION.
REFERENDUM NOT APPROVED
MlkADo's REPRESENTATIVES
THINK COAST STATE WILL
APPROVE NEW STATUTE.

United States government to Japan
ese protest in regard to the Califor.
MIA alien land ownership legislation
in that it does not involve any viola
ton of the treaty between the. United
States and Japan, has caused great
disappointment in official and other
circles here. The Japanese foreign
office considers it unsatisfactory, as
it does not mention any intention on
the part Of the government at Wash.
ington to take official steps to nullf
fly the act passed by the California
legislature.
The Japanese foreign minister is
urging upon Viscount Chinda, Japan
ese ambassador at Washington, the
necessity of pressing the Japanese
Interpretation of the American-Japa
ese treaty.
Secretary of State Bryan's proposal
to refer the question to a referendum
in the state of California is not re-
ceiyed With favor here, as the result
is considered doubtful.
No Thought Of War.
The war talk emanating from Eu-
rope and reaching Japan by cable is
not understood in official and other
circles here. The atmosphere is calm
and great reserve is shown.
Some Of the newspapers have be
gun to speak out more freely. The
leading daily newspaper, the Osaka
Mainishi, finds amusement in what
it calls the American fear of Japan
ese aggression. 1t says:
All Japan wants for the Japanese
is equal treatment with white men.
Japan's progress has reached the
point where she win no longer con
sent to discrimination being shown
against her subjects"
The general hope is expressed here
that the reply sent from washington
is not Americas final word, especial-
ly as the United States government
by its Intervention in California In
spired the belief here that it would
adopt strong measures IN behalf Of
the Japanese.
1t is believed in Japan that the
difficulty will eventually be settled
by diplomacy, but the question of
how Japan is to proceed next is a
puzzle to the authorities. Japan is a
stranger to the technicalities OF Amer.
lean laws, and does not see her way
clear to take the initiative in law
suit, while national patriotism pre-
vents formal request that naturali-
zation be granted, which would mean
the virtual expatriation Of Japanese
subjects.
Public opinion seems to be in favor
of demand for naturalization as the
most feasible means Of satisfying
Japanese prestige. The opinion in Of
ficiai circles is that the nation mas
been led to expect some action by
Washington and if nothing should be
done from that quarter the Japanese
public, which has remained calm and
iignified, is liable to become greatly
irritated. One official said today:
Foreigners say that the Japanese
are supersensitive and super-proud.
This may be true We do not care
for the material losses incurred. The
present issue strikes us on our most
vulnerable point. namely, our nation.
al honor, and any attack on that is
like plunging a dagger into our Wit
ais.
@Of course it is idle to talk Of war,
but I think that in justice to the
Japanese it should be pointed out
that the quiet expectancy of the peo
pie is more important than the ire
aponsible war talk indulged in by the
iingoes last month II the Ameri-
cans understand this they wifi like