Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/275

WOODROW WILSON 233 people, that I extend, in the name of my Govern ment and of my countrymen, a greeting of wel come to the New China thus entering into the family of nations. In taking this step, I entertain the confident hope and expectation that in perfect ing a republican form of government the Chinese nation will attain to the highest degree of develop ment and well-being, and that under the new rule all the established obligations of China which passed to the Provisional Government will, in turn, pass to and be observed by the Government estab lished by the Assembly." Early in the history of the Administration, the Japanese Minister lodged a protest with the De partment of State against the proposed passage of an anti-alien land law bill by the California Legis lature. The claim of the Japanese Government was that such a measure would violate treaty rights. "To lease land for commercial purposes" is granted to Japanese subjects in our treaty with Japan. It was claimed by the California Legislature that the Japanese were increasing their leases and their ownership of lands, particularly agricultural lands, in California. President Wilson set himself to see that the treaty rights of Japan should be respected. In a telegram to Governor Johnson, of California, the President "very respectfully but most earnestly advised against" the use of the words "ineligible to citizenship," which were used in one or more of