Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1920-12-03
GOVERNOR IS
AGAINST JAPS
DAVIS Is AGAINST TREATY
ALLOWING JAPS TO BE-
COME u. S. CITIZENS

Boise, Nov. 30.-Acting for
and on behalf OF the people OF
the state OF Idaho, whom he re-
presents as chief executive, Gov
ernor ID. w. Davis today went on
record against any treaty that
will grant to foreign-born Japan
ese in Idaho, or in this country,
the right of citizenship or to in
creasing the number OF any race
which cannot be assimilated into
the existing form of civilization
here and therefore cannot be-
come real Americans.
The action of Governor Davis
was taken in response to an ap-
Senator James ID. Phelan of Cal
peal received from United States
ifornia, who points out treaty
is in the making which will
grant American citizenship to
Japanese now in this country,
and who holds the Japanese sit
uation in the United States has
reached a critical stage.
The step taken by Governor
Davis is said to forecast a pre-
diction that has been made; that
is, that the anti-Japanese ques-
tion is likely to become a mooted
one before the 10th Idaho legis-
lature when it convenes in regu-
lar biennial session in January.
Many members of the legislature
have already been approached ON
the subject. Governor Davis
telegram of pre- rst is as follows: !:
"In keeping with well-defined
and well-matured sentiment of
the people of Idaho, protest
against any treaty which gives
foreign-born Japanese now in
this country the rights of citi-
zenship. Idaho people are OPP
posed to extending citizenship to
or increasing the numbers of
any race which cannot be assimi-
lated into our civilization and
become Americans in sympathy
and ideals as well as in name"
Phelan's Telegram
The telegram received by
Governor Davis from Senator
Phelan, going more into detail
on the situation, follows:
1.-THE Japanese situation is
critical. A London telegram
says: The important lines of
Japanese agreement are nearing
final settlement. Japan agrees
absolutely to stop immigration
to America. America grants
full citizenship TO the Japanese
already there
Experience teaches us that
Japanese exclusion can only be
effected by United States laws.
To grant rights of citizenship,
including land ownership, to the
100000 Japanese in California
and other thousands scattered
throughout the western states
would be nothing less than the
destruction of the white popula'
ton.
"Will you not please telegraph
the state department your pro.
test against any treaty which
gives foreign-born Japanese now
in this country the rights of cit
izenship, for such would give
them not only control of lane
but also political power.
1.-The initiative anti-alien lant
law just passed by the over
whelming vote of the people in
dicates their temper. Such
treaty as proposed instead o
producing better relations woul'
, cause greater antagonism ant
lead possibly to war. The Jap
anese as usual are preparing fo
war as BACKGROUND for forcin
their diDlimatic negotiations an
. the state department is eviden,
ly frightened. A treaty shoul
not Re allowed to attempt to owe
E ride a state law passed by tn
people who understands thei
, own peril and are acting fo
their own preservation"