Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-02-17
JAPSRrADY TO
GO TO MAT IN
RACE DISPUTE
Protest Of Land Law
Made, Says Simms In
Sd Article
BY WILLIAM PHILIP sIMMs.

SAN FRANCISCO Feb. IL
Japan, l am definitely informed, is
prepared to go to the mat with the
United States over the question of
the status of her subjects residing
in this country, and as an opening
gun has already registered a very
sharp protest at Washington against
California's anti-Japanese land meas
ure
The island empire is waiting only
for the fourth of March and the in
stallation of the new administration
to press the matter, according to my
informant, who is in close touch with
the national capital. 1t was not
deemed proper to divulge the precise
nature of the protest at this time as
the United States government is
about to change hands and both sides
are represented as feeling it would
be best to wait until the new regime
can take seat.
Chafes At Delay
Japan, however, apparently deem
ed it unwise to allow too long time
to elapse before protesting against
the initiative measure adopted by
California on Nov. 2, and which in
hibits land-owning or leasing by Jap
anese or otherwise controlling it.
According to Gov. William D.
Stephens, of California, the Japan
ese operate 45S,956 acres of the best
lands in the state. producing crop
worth $67,145,730.
Between 80 and 80 per cent of
California's vegetable and berry
products, according to the same au-
thority, are grown on Japanese
farms.
The Japanese population of Cali
fornia, according to official returns
OF the fourteenth census, was 70,707
The state census put the figures at
$4,000.
Drastic Terms
The initiated measure complained
of made very much more drastic the
law of 1913 which prohibited the
ownership of land by Japanese SUBJ
Jects, or lease for longer than three
years. The new law re-affirms the
ownership clause and forbids leas-
ing Tor any term whatever. 1t fur
ther declares that a Japanese can not
acquire or hold stock in any corpor-
atlon owning farm land, nor may he
act as guardian for his American
born children where the control of
land is involved.
Ihls measure was voted on the day
OF the national election and adopted
by 668,483 to 222,Os6.
Japan, | am reliably informed,
stands ready for the diplomatic fight
OF her career as modern world
power.
NO important developments are
expected before the new admins
fration goes in, as both sides antici-
pate long-drawn-out negotiations be-
fore an agreement satisfactory to
Doth sides can be reached; and Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary of State
Colby, Americas chief diplomatists
nave only few more days in Office,
Both japanese here and Californ-
1ans are of the opinion that time will
actually be gained by waiting until
the Harding regime assumes control
OF the government for two main
reasons
One is negotiations could proceed
40 more than half way at best before
the change in administrations. and
the whole work would necessarily
nave to be retraced for the benefit
OF the new president and his secre-
tary of state, who, incidentally.
might have an entirely different idea
OF the kind of policy the United
States should pursue.
Closer Harmony
The second is closer harmony be.
tween California and Washington
is expected to result from both be.
, ing Republican, instead of the one
being Republican and the other Dem
0cratic.
The japanese feel they have every
thing to gain and nothing to lose by
waiting for the Republican president
Not that they believe President
Harding will be more friendly than
was President Wilson, but that if the
Republican administration counsels
moderation Republican California
VIII be more inclined to listen than
IL would were Democratic national
government doing the talking.
Having made known their dissatis-
faction, therefore, the japanese dl
plomats are expected to bide their
time until Secretary of State Hughes
raanhas ofr;nn