The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-22
Discrimination Against the
Japanese Framed in
New Bill
ADMINISTRATION NOT
AT END OF RESOURCES
Wilson Warns Against Violation With
Treaty Obligations-To Chal-
lenge Correctness of
Figures

Washington, April 21.-=News of the de4
termination of the legislative leaders IN
Sacramento to frame ana pass an alien
land owning bin. directly discriminating
against the Japanese, unofficially con-
veyed today to the White House and
state department was received with grave
concern aud disappointment such der
yeonment had not been expected in view
OF the first favorable comments in Calf
fornia upon the Presidents suggestion
that regard be had for preservation OF
the friendly relations between this eoun-
try and the Oriental nations.
With exact knowledge of the form dis
elimination viii take in the new bill Of
ficials here assume that It will resemble
the so-oalled assembly measure, which
proposed TO bar from land holding, per-
sons Ineligible TO citizenship which GOV.
ers only the Chinese and Japanese.
To Continue Efforts
The administrations is not yet at the
end of its resources and will continue its
efforts to ameliorate harsh features of
the projected legislation until the measure
direction
While the President has in his message
to Governor johnson transmitted through
Secretary BRYAN recognized the right OF
the people of California to egislate ac-
eording to their judgement on the SUBJ
Ject OF land tenure, he Is also under the
obligation of guarding against encroach-
ment by state legislation upon that part
of the field OF International relations
reserved by the constitution to the ma
tional government. Therefore in the
event the California legislation takes the
form Of direct discrimination against tho
Japanese in violation of what the adj
ministration itself regards as their treaty
rights the national government Itself
might enter the lists against the state OF
California, before the Judicial tribunals
of the arsl.
II daes' not follow tiiat The Unli,,i
States government would take the inltia-
tive in the judicial proceedings Intended
to test the legality of the states action.
In the ordinary course the initial step
would be taken by Japanese individuals
or corporations in California, whose lands
are sought to be eseheated. But it is
fully expected that the department OF
Justice would come forward as an inter-
vener throwing the weight of the Uni-
ted States government into the scale IN
defense of the treaty rights of the Japan
csc. If the state courts should uphold
such a statute the case would be ap-
pealed TO the United States circuit court
and almost certainly. by one party or tile
other taken to the United States SUI
preme court, which tribunal has never
yet passed upon the Japanese claim OF
their right of naturalization In the Uni-
ted States.
Important Development
An important development In the situa-
tion Is the announced purpose of the OPP
ponents of anti-Japanese legislation 10
challenge the correctness OF the figures
and the statements relative to the ex-
tent of the so-called Japanese invasion
of California. teegraphed TO Washng- Z
ton from Sacramento, by the Legislative
leaders. in answer TO Representative
Bakers request For some time past
quiet search has been made OF the records
of tile United States i1nmlgrating bureau
and of the California tax offices and
other places where data might be found
bearing upon the precise number of
Japanese landlords in California and the
extent of their holdings and these figures
soon Will be laid before the state depart
ment