Evening star., 1914-07-19
about the second diplomatic exchange be-
tween the
6reat Alarm Is Felt two coun-
nn.. tries, whose
SvS@ NASWA4A6 ~ uAkAOVA .. a I z inns
By Webster

o l a
until 1905 had been the most amicable
imaginable for over half century Cali
fornia and the Pacific northwest generally
felt alarmed over the growing strength.
materially and numerically, of Japanese
laborers. The Taft administration took
the matter up officially with Toxic in
1909. and with a delicacy that did not
offend the representative Nipponese. No
treaty or pact Of any kind was signed,
but what was, called at the time
"gentleman's agreement was entered in
to- Since then more Japanese have left
this country than have entered it, ac-
cording to ofncial records, at least, and
our government has been fully satisfied
with the workings Of the arrangements
made by Toxic It is often claimed, and
may be true, that Japanese laborers are
being smuggled in from Canada and Mex
leo, but no evidence to implicate the
japanese government has been adduced.
Now We come to the California land
trouble Of 1912. which is still acute. The
state legislature, which was elected in
November of that year. began the con-
sideration of a bill to prevent further
Japanese. It will be remembered that
Toxic acted promptly in the matter, and
that Secretary Of State Bryan went to
Sacramento and made a personal plea
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noxious legislation. The bill passed by
a large majority May 8, 1913. Then
followed an interchange Of notes be-
tween President Wilson, through Secre-
tary Bryan. and Gov. Hiram johnson.
who signed and approved the bill ten
days later.
The law provides. in effect. that all
aliens not eligible to American citizen
ship, whether individually or severally as
an association, corporation ETC.. may ac-
md fro ncfo oo1
property only in accordance with treaties
existing between this country and that
OF the aliens concerned in each instance,
and that they may in addition thereto
lease lands in this state for agricultural
purposes for a term not exceeding three
years. 1t further provides that real
property SO held by aliens not eligible
to citizenship cannot be devised and dis
tributed to heirs. but must be sold by
the courts. the proceeds thereof to be
given to the heir or heirs. Whenever
the law Is violated the state will con-
fiscate the property concerned
This law. If not repealed. will have the
desired effect Of preventing all further
Law Bans 0rientals by the
From Owning Property. and sIe chis
nese Of lands for agricultural purposes in
California, confining them to three-year
leases. and will. by the natural process
of death. eventually restore to Caucasians
all property now held by Asiatics in Cali
fornia, which is the direct purpose of
the statute. For economic reasons suf-
ficient unto herself. California wants no
more ownership Of property and agricul-
tural lands by Asiatics.
The day this bill passed Viscount S.
Chinda, the Japanese ambassador, pre-
sented his first protest, and the day the
bill was signed at Sacramento Secretary
Bryan made his first answer. The form
er set forth that cit seems to the i'm
perial government that the enactment in
effect deprives my countrymen of the
right to transmit to their legal heirs
their already lawfully acquired landed
property" This was claimed to be a di-
rect violation Of the trade proviso in
ton clause in article XIV of the treaty
of 1911 between the two countries Mr..
Bryan's reply was to the effect that the
action of California was not at all
political. being based upon the particular
economic conditions existing in California
as interpreted by her own people. who
wish to avoid certain conditions of COM
petition in their agricultural activities"
He closed by inviting the Japanese to
take their case to our federal courts,
lust as American citizens themselves
would have to do under similar circum-
stances.
The Japanese rejoiner. of June de-
clined to go into court. insisting that
It was the duty of the national govern
ment to make some arrangement with its
subdivision of California whereby the
property the japanese had acquired by
virtue of the treaty, and also in ac-
cordance with previous local laws. be
given the most constant protection and
security guaranteed by the treaty. Six
decisions of the United States Supreme
Court were cited to show that our ma
tional treaties take precedence over state
laws.
We answered July 16 and the Japanese |
made another emphatic protest August
81. without either party getting any
where. The controversy rested until it |
was revived in vigorous manner by
the new premier OF Japan, Count okuma.
further particulars. 1t Is understood. and |
there the matter rests. with the i'll feel |
ing OF the japanese not whit abated. |
II rays to read the want columns of |