Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/276

234 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS the bills pending. In a second telegram to Gov ernor Johnson, he appealed to the Executive, the Legislature, and the people of California, "to ac1 in the matter under consideration in a manner thai cannot from any point of view be fairly challenged or called in question. If they deem it necessary tc exclude all aliens who have not declared their inten tion to become citizens from the privilege of lane ownership, they can do so along the lines already followed in the laws of many foreign countries including Japan itself. Invidious discriminatior will inevitably draw in question the treaty obliga tions of the Government of the United States. The President added that he was "confident the people and the legislative authorities of California would generously respond the moment the mattei was presented to them as a question of national policy and national honor." Upon the receipt of a reply from Governor Johnson, President Wilson telegraphed to the Gov ernor asking whether, on account of the difficulty from a distance of understanding fully the situa tion with regard to the sentiments and circum stances lying back of the pending proposition con cerning the ownership of land in California, it would be agreeable to him and the Legislature to have the Secretary of State visit Sacramento for the purpose of counseling with the Governor and the members of the Legislature and co-operating in