WILSON PERSONALLY ASKS CALIFORNIA NOT TO VIOLATE TREATIES

Confident People and Legislature of State Will Not Designedly Embarrass National Government.

ADVERSE LAWS SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT ALL ALIENS

Points Out That It Will Be Possible to Do So Along Established Lines -- Japan Furnishes Example.

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April 22. President Wilson, after a conference with Democratic congressmen from California, today telegraphed Governor Johnson and legislative leaders in California appealing to them not to enact antialien land laws in contravention of treaty obligations of the United States with Japan. The telegram follows:

"I speak upon the assumption which, I am sure, is well founded, that the people of California do not desire their representatives -- and their representatives do not wish or intend -- in any circumstances to embarrass the government of the United States in its dealings with a nation with whom it has most earnestly and cordially sought to maintain relations of genuine friendship and good will and that, least of all, do they desire to do anything that might impair treaty obligations or cast a doubt upon the honor and good faith of the nation and its government.

"I, therefore, appeal with the utmost confidence to the people, the governor and the Legislature of California, to act in the matter now under consideration in a manner that cannot, from any point of view, be fairly challenged or called in question. If they deem it necessary to exclude all aliens who have not declared their intention to become citizens from the privileges of land ownership they can do so along lines already followed in the laws of many of the other states and of many foreign countries, including Japan herself. Invidious discrimination will inevitably put in question the treaty obligations of the United States.

"I register my very earnest and very respectful protest against discrimination in this case, not only because I deem it my duty to do so as the chief executive of the nation, but also, and the more readily, because I believe the people and the Legislature of California will generously respond the moment the matter is presented to them as a question of national policy and national honor. If they have ignored this point of view it is, I am sure, because they did not realize what and how much was involved."

Congressman Baker (Democrat) told the President today that even if his appeal to the Legislature proved futile, its influence might be such as to compel the submission to a vote of the people of any antialien ownership law passed. The President is confident that California, if given an opportunity to vote on the measure, will not approve a law which violates treaty obligations.