CHANGES IN ANTI-JAP MEASURE COMMENDED

Official Washington Considers Bill Passed by House in State Legislature Less Open to Attack.

CLOSELY FOLLOWS OTHER AND OLDER STATUTES

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, April 16. The alien land holding bill, as passed yesterday by the lower house of the California Legislature in its amended form, is regarded by the officials here as much more difficult than the original measure for the Japanese government to oppose successfully, because it now closely follows the lines of the alien ownership act which, for the past decade, has been strictly enforced in the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States, without objection from any foreign government.

To lodge an objection to the measure based on strict equity, probably it would be necessary for the Japanese government by decree, to extend to Americans resident in Japan the right to acquire property in fee simple, a privilege which, though intended to be conferred by treaty, so far has been withheld in general application.

The attitude of the administration and of the Japanese embassy here, in spite of yesterday's action of the California assembly, must continue to be one of observation at this stage, because a generally similar bill, though different in deal, remains to be finally passed in the California Senate. Then there must be a conference to reconcile the differences between the two houses, and back of it all is the action of the governor of California.

No Official Ground for Action.

While the situation is in its present stage, there is no official ground for action on the part of the administration or the Japanese embassy, though no attempt is made to disguise the fact that privately every effort is being set forth to bring the alien land holdings bill into an unobjectionable shape.

Secretary Bryan conferred with President Wilson today about the developments in California. No announcement was made, but the President arranged also to see Secretaries Lane of the interior department and Houston of the agricultural department later in the day to discuss the situation. Mr. Lane hails from California, while Mr. Houston has given much study to alien land questions.

The American Asiatic Association of Japan, from its headquarters at Yokohama, has cabled to the American Asiatic Association in this country.

Urge Concerted Action.

"On account of serious unfriendly agitation throughout Japan, due to proposed California legislation, strongly recommend sending United States ambassador, also concerted action against legislation adverse to Japanese. Otherwise American interests will suffer seriously."