The chronicle=news., 1914-07-16
UNITED STATES
.i Japan, ALIEN Law

- Etf
Washington. July 1G.1rhe' corE
respondence between the United
States and Japan over the California
alien land law contains about $4,000
words. An abstract OF its contents
sets out the main features in this
manner.
On May 8. 1918. after the Califor-
mia anti-alien land law had been
passed, but before it was signed by
Governor Johnson. the Japanese am.
bassador presented the fiut urgent,
Eand explicit protest of his govern
fment.
He said that in the opinion of
Japan the act was unfair and dis
was directed against his
was Inconsistent with
the provisions of the treaty in force
and that it was opposed to the spirit
land fundamental principles OF amity
and good understanding.
The ambassador emphasized the
|contention that the proposed law
was In violation of the treaty and
discussed at length its effect on the
(rights of Japanese In the law of de-
Escent. and Its effect upon corpora
tions OF which japanese were MEM
bers.
1t violated. he contended. the
treaty guarantee granting alsuapese
the most constant protection for
their property and the clause grant
Ing the right to own houses. factor
les. warehouses and shops. He in
timated that it was contrary to the
favored nation clause also.
Any possible remedy by resort to
ordinary process of law. the ambas
|sador pointed out. would be unneces-
sary for aliens eligible to citizenship.
This marked, he said, a further dis
criminataion.
In closing, the ambassador stated
that his government desired to have
1t entirely clear that they attach the
utmost importance to the discrimin
atory phase of the legislation"
On May 10 the United States. set
ting forth that the steps taken by
the federal government to avoid
the legislation in California, and ex-
planning that. under the constitu-
tiOnal arrangements of the United
States. We could do no more than
that" pointed out that the object Of
the legislation was not political, that
1t was the act of but one state and
that the only object was wholly eco
nomic, based upon the particular
conditions existing in California.
The department contended that all
existing treaty rights are expressly
preserved by the act and that they
may be enforced in the federarl
courts. privilege not enjoyed by
American citizens in all cases.
On June 4 Japan replied that the
latest Americans note dti NOT have
the effect OF lessehing The sense OF
disappointment and grave concern Of
his government in consequence OF the
alien land law: that his government
expected co-operatio instead of a
reference to the courts OF the Unit
ed States: and that as Japanese are
not eligible to citizenship. and as
they have not. under the new act,
Ithe right to acquire land in Cali
ffornia, the Japanese government is
fconvinced that the measure is I'm
ternationally racially discrimina-
tory" and is contrary to the letter
and spirit of the treaty of 1911. as
well as at variance with the accept
ed principles of just and equal treat
ment. upon which good relations be-
tween friendly nations SO largely de-
pend.
The ambassador contended that
the frong complained of was direct
ed against his countrymen as a ma
tion: that though it was committed
by the authorities of a single state,
it nevertheless was to the federal
government that Japan must look.
He called attention to the small
number OF Japanese in California
and the small amount of property in
volved. to the enforcement by his
government of the existing under
standing on the restriction and emf