Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-15

president will confer with Secretary
Bryan early tomorrow before the cab
met meeting TO draft a reply to the
formal protest of Japan against the
California land bill. A note will be
submitted to the cabinet and then de-
livered to the Japanese ambassador.
Indications are the attitude of the
federal government toward the legie
lation itself, as we'll as questions of
discrimination raised by Japan, will
be fully defined.
Toxic, May 15.-The foreign office
is optimistic as to the outcome of the
controversy over the California legis-
lation.
A high official said: Negotiations
between the United States and Japan
are progressing satisfactorily. We ex-
pect to reach friendly permanent So
luton of the difficulty"
CHINDA is NOTIFIED.
Washington, d. c., May 15.-Gover-
nor Johnson's decision to sign the Cal
ifornia ahti-alien land bill, despite ia
pans protests, was unofficially COM
municated today to Viscount Chinda,
japanese ambassador, as matter Of
information, with the understanding
that Secretary Bryan may later pre-
sent Governor Johnson's answer Off
cially with such comment as he may
wish to make in behalf of the fed
eral government. Bryan is in New
York and in his absence the subject
will be considered by Counsellor Moore
to have it ready for the secretary to
lay before the cabinet at tomorrow's
session, when an effort Will be made
to reach a final determination on the
line of policy for negotiations with
Japan.
WEEK BEFORE NEW MOVE.
When the ambassador has received
Bryan's formal communication 1t will
be necessary for him to communicate
with the foreign Office at Toxic and
receive instructions for preparing a
rejoinder, so probably a week will
elapse before another step is taken.
Interest has been excited by John
sons quotation of that part of the Cal
| ifornia law which appears to limit his
action, so far as il recognizes Japan
! ese rights to the existing treaty OF
| 1911, and there is some speculation
as TO whether that was intended TO
! foreshadow a refusal on the part or
| the California authorities to be bound
b. the stipulation of any treaty that
may hereafter be negotiated between
the United States and japan that
would appear to be in conflict with
! tho provisions of the new law.
JOHNsoN's STATEMENT.
Sacramento, Cal, May 15.-Express-
ing his determination to sign the alien
land bill recently passed by the legis-
/ lature, Governor Hiram w. Johnson OF
California telegraphed to Secretary OF
State Bryan late yesterday afternoon
lengthy explanation of the position
taken by the legislature in passing the
bill.
The message was in answer to the
request telegraphed to the governor
by Secretary Bryan, at the direction
of President Wilson, that the bill be
vetoed.
What I have tried to do is to SET
forth CALIFORNIA; case" the governor
said, commenting on his message
There has been most astonishing
lot of Misrepresentation INDUCED In
by eastern newspapers, and want the
public 10 know where we of Califor
MIA stand"
TEXT OF GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The text of the governors message
follows:
1.-The Hon. William J. Bryan, secre
tary Of state, Washington, ID. c.: You
very courteous telegram relating tC
the alien land bill reached me late
Sunday night. | take it from ouI
conversation and your request made II
me TO withhold executive approval un
til opportunity was accorded for th'
presentations from the federal govern
ment, that your message embodieI
what it was your wish and the wisl
of the president to say to us befor'
final action.
'In this response 1t is my design u
present the situation from our stand
point and the views that actuated ou
legislature in passing the bill and tha
impeI me to sanction it.
= For many years grave problem
, little understood in the east, has cor
! fronted California; problem the ser
BUSINESS of which has been recognize
: by statesmen in our nation, and ha
been viewed with apprehension by tn
: people OF this state.
QUESTION REALLY OLD ONE.
when the present constitution Q
: California was adopted more than 3