Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1913 — TRYING TO AVOID A TREATY CONFLICT [ARTICLE]

TRYING TO AVOID A TREATY CONFLICT

California Effort to Discourage Japanese Immigration Not Approved in Washington.

The Japs are not liked in California and other pacific coast states, They are undesirable citizens and it is believed on the coast that they are not coming to this country lu good faith to become' citizens, but will be ready at any time to take up arms for Japan against the United States. The legislature of California now in session is about to pass a law prohibiting Japanese and other aliens from acquiring land in that state. While all aliens are included in the law, there is no doubt that it was directed at Japan. The passage of such law would embarrass the United States government because of a treaty with Japan that permits subjects of that country to buy land in the United States. Some hurried diplomatic messages have passed between President Wilson, through Secretary of State Bryan, and Governor Hiram Johnson, of California, and the state seems determined to pass the law. Fearing complications, President Wilson has wired Governor Johnson, asking that definite action await a visit from Secretary Bryan, Who was at once ordered to Sacramento to present the objections of the federal government, and to show that the enforcement of a law of that-character would be in violation of the treaty now in force. The Japs are reported to be grasping, selfish and clannish and to make competition by American farmers, with our better methods of living, almost impossible. They are fast gaining a great land ownership foothold in California and other states and are regarded as a grave menace there. California holds that it is within its bounds in prohibiting the bolding of lands by aliens and suggests that the federal government is not familiar with existing conditions. Governor Johnson afld the legislature agreed to withhold action pending the arrival of Secretary Bryan, who has accepted an invitation to be the guest of Governor and Mrs. Johnson while at Sacramento.