The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-10-25
JAPANESE QUESTION
TO BE DECIDED NOV.

San Francisco, Oct. 24-The fate
of Japanese farmers in California will
lLe decided on Tuesday, Nov. 2. when
the electorate of this state passes on
an initiative measure that would
amend the present alien land law by
withdrawing entirely the three-year
agricultural land leasing privilege
from aliens who are ineligible to
American citizenship.
The measure aims also to place
minor land-owning aliens under the
guardianship of a public administra-
tor. The actual ownership of farm
lands by aliens ineligible to citizen
ship already is prohibited by the alien
land law enacted ythe state legisla-
ture in 1913.
The initiative measure, its propon-
ents assert, will conform strictly to
the letter of the treaty between Japan
land the United States, in which Jap
anese residents were granted certain
lpreviliges. The opponents of an in
lterpretation Of phraseology in the
treaty, wherein it is provided that
| the japanese resident in the United
States ssmay own or hire and occupy
houses, manufactures, warehouses,
shops and premises and lease lands
| for residential and commercial pur-
poses"
It is pointed out by persons oppos-
ed to amending the present law that
the leasing of land for commercial
purposes contemplated the privilege
of leasing agricultural lands. The vot-
.lers of the state have had the legal
verbiage of the measure clarified by
arguments for and against it respect
lively by v. S. McClatchy, publisher of
the Sacramento Bee, and by John P.
Irish, an extensive land owner of
ItSockton, CAL
In behalf of the measure, Mr.. Nc
i CATCHY, says in part:
"Throug the measure. California
seeks, as is her inherent right, to pre-
serve her lands for Americans, pre-
icisely as Japan preserver her lands
for the japanese. It's primary pur-
pose is to prohibit Orientals who can
mot become American citizens from
controlling our rich agricultural lands.
i sour present treaty of commerce
land navigation with Japan deliberate
'lly omits, from the privileges granted
1.-THE Japanees in this country, either
Ownership or lease of agricultural
LANDS. Japan has always prohibited
Ownership, or lease. or use of agri-
cultural lands in Japan by Americans
or other foreigners.
"Orientals, and more particularly
Japanese, have commenced to secure
icontrol of agricultural lands in Cali.
fornia. There was enacted in 1915
the alien land law, which prohibited
: Ownership or lease, beyond three
years, of agricultural lands by aliens
ineligible to citizenship.
eIn defiance of that law. through
various subterfuges, including use Of
dummy corporations and minor native
born children, Orientals, largely Jap
alese, are fast securing control of ths
richest irrigated lands in the state
through lease or ownership, the pro
portion already controlled in som,
countries being from 80 to IS PEI
. cent.
"The initiative measure simpl!
closes the loophola in the 1913 Law
which permits violation and evasion
thereof In addition. it forbids ever
short leases"
: In his argument against the meas
ure, Mr.. Irish discusses the CONNER
cal treaty with Japan and declare
: that '.in its economic definition com
merce consists of production, trans
!. mutation and exchange; production i
: ithe banking element. because withou
: it there can be no commerce.
sThe treaty is intended them" tn
! deposition argument continues, "t
give the japanese privilege to ente
ulupon complete commerce, and there
fore protects their right to lease Ian
flor production. Any other interpre
tation trists the plain language of til
z treaty into vain repetition.
!, @Considered in the light of til
fourteenth amendment to the consti
J Itutio nof the United States, whic
= lsays, No state shall deny to any pei
son within its jurisdiction the equs
: lprotection of the law, we find the II
: litiative is in conflict with our consti
Y tuition since it proposes a discrim,
Inatroy classification Of aliens, cor
lferring upon one class the protectio