South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-27
BY WILLIAM PHILIP sDfNfs.

pan. am definitely informed. Is pre-
pared 20 go 10 the mat with the
United States over the question OF
her status OF her subjects residing IN
this country and as an opening gun
has already registered a very sharp
protest az Washington against Cal
ffornia's anti-Japanese land meas
ure
The island empire r. waiting only
for the fourth OF March and the In
staliauon OF the new administration
20 press the matter. according 20 my
informant. who is IN close touch with
the national capital. II was not
deemed proper 20 divulge the pre-
else nature OF the protest az this
time as the United States govern
ment is about 10 change hands and
both sides are represented as feel
ing II would be best 20 wait until the
4 w regime can take seat.
Chafes at Delay.
Japan. however. apparently deem
eG II unwise 10 allow too long a
time 20 elapse before protesting
against the initiative measures
adopted by California on Nov. 2 and
ing by Japanese or otherwise con-
trolling u.
According 10 Gov. William d.
Stephens. OF California, the Japanese
operate ass. 1856 acres OF the best
lands IN the state. producing a crop
worth S67.145.73O.
Between so and 50 per cent Of
Ca.ifornias vegetable and berry pro-
ducts, according TO the same author
its. are grown on Japanese farms.
,-he Japaness population OF Cali
FORMS, according 10 official returns
OF the 14th census. was 7O.7O7. The
state census put the figures at $4,000.
Drastic Terms.
The initiated measure complained
of made very much more drastic the
terms OF the law OF 1919 which pro-
hibited the ownership OF land by
japanese subjects or a lease FOR
longer than three years The new
law reafirms the ownership clause
and forbids leasing for any term
whatever. II further declares that a
Japanese can not acquire or hold
stock IN any corporation owning
farm land. nor may he act as guard
ian for his American sorn children
where the control OF land is in
vOived
This measure was voted on the
day OF the national election and
adopted by 66S.4S3 to 222.OS6.
Japan. I am reliably informed
stands ready for the diplomatic fight
OF her career as a modern world
power
No important developments are
expected before the new admins.
tratiou goes in as both sides anti
cipate long-drawn-out negotiation
before an agreement satisfactory q
both sides can be reached; and Pres
Wilson and Sec'y Of state Colby
Americas chief diplomatists. hav,
only a few more days I'm office.
Both japanese here and Cali
fornians are Of the opinion that time
viii actually be gained by waiting
until the Harding regime assume
control of the government for TIVE
main reasons.
One Is negotiations could proceed
no more than half way at best be
fore the change in administrations
and the whole work would necesSar
lily have 10 be retraced for the bene
1T OF the new president and his sec
rotary OF state, who. incidentally
might have an entirely different ide;
OF the kind Of policy the Unite'
States should pursue
Closer Harmony.
The second is closer harmony be
tween California and Washington /
expected 20 result from both beini
republican instead OF the one bein
republican and the other demo
cratic
The Japanese feel they have ev
erything 10 gain and nothing TO los
by waiting for the republican presi
dent. Not that they believe Pres
Harding will be more friendly tina
was PTes't Wilson. but that IL tn
republican administration counsel
moderation republican Californi
VIII be more inclined 10 listen tina
il would were a democratic nationa
government doing the talking.
Having made known their dissat
isfaction. therefore, the Japanese di
plomats are expected 20 bide thei
time until sec'y OF State Hughe
reaches office.
From that time forward the diplc
matte battle Will be on.
Decided Views Expressed.
For the good OF America and fc
the good OF Japan. maybe ever fC
the peace Of the world. the Japanes
immigration problem must be mad
Case No. l" on the docket and SCI
tied without delay.
Twice I have travelled up an
down the Pacific coast from tt
Juana 70 Vancouver. talking with a
classes and conditions OF peopl
with Americans and Japanese
have interviewed governors Of state
and other public officials. Immigra
tion commissioners in this countr
and Canada have told me the
views. Chambers of commerce an
business mems clubs have unhes
tarngly expressed their position o
the subject Farmers, bankers Ia
Dor leaders, store-keepers publish
ers, preachers. deep-sea hshermel
fruit-growers. salmon-packers, polk
authorities. statisticians and ex-so
diers have talked 10 me freely.
And the vast majority OF thel
agree that. the real merits OF III
case 10 one side. rightly or wrongl
-whichever way you look at tt
further arrivals OF ney japanese Ia
Dor would be decidedly unadvisabl
No "ENcitcment."
There is no excitement" out her
Not a single japanese has been mo
Iesred nor a Japanese DIaca Of bus