Southern Christian Advocate

California and the governor of California signed the anti-Japanese land bill, and in the course of a few weeks it is expected to go into effect. As we heretofore observed, President Wilson made his protest before the bill became law, realizing that there was nothing unconstitutional in it, and consequently there would be little chance of accomplishing the result he desired after the California legislature and the governor had acted favorably on the measure.

Shortly after Governor Johnson signed the bill, the Japanese ambassador filed a formal protest with the department of State. This was replied to in a brief message, written largely by President Wilson. Its contents have not been made public, but apart from the expression of kind feeling for the Japanese, there could have been but little in it. There was little else to say, and nothing else to do.

It is understood that our government will not attack the law in the courts, it being the opinion of every lawyer in the cabinet that it is a valid exercise of a State's right. An effort is being made, however, to resort to the referendum, not in any great hope of defeating the law, but merely to delay its taking effect for some months, so as to give something a chance to happen. But the opponents of the law run a serious risk in thus keeping the question open, for there is far more likelihood of a more radical bill being passed by the next legislature than the one just enacted into law.

The Japanese appear to realize their position, and little is being said about the matter. They must make the best of a distasteful situation, for which there is no apparent relief. No one can blame them for the endeavor to prevent the passage of the law by an appeal to Washington, nor, on the other hand, do we think the action of the Californians open to much of the loose criticism so freely showered upon them by many newspapers and prominent men. Despite its international side, the question was really a local one, and if the people of California have recorded their desires, the rest of the nation can well afford to mind its own business.