NEW CALIFORNIA LAW LETS JAPANESE LEASE

Amendment to Webb Measure Will Permit Them to Contract for Farms for Period of Three Years.

SACRAMENTO, Cal., Friday, May 2.-- An amendment to the Webb redraft of the antialien land bill permitting ineligible aliens to lease agricultural property for a period of not exceeding three years was adopted by the Senate at noon by nonpartisan vote, and the bill was sent to the printer with emergency rush orders.

Under ordinary circumstances, the amended bill could not be ready for final action before next week, but the majority leaders had arranged in advance for quick action, and it was expected that the new copy would be back from the printing office at 2 o'clock this afternoon, in order that a final vote may be taken today.

A sharp debate preceded the adoption of the Boynton amendment. Several senators declared it weakened the bill to such an extent that Japanese colonies could exist on virtually the same basis as at present. Senator Caminetti, Democrat, asked Boynton if this were not the case.

"It is not the case," replied Boynton, "or I would not be offering this amendment.

Does Not Object to Laborers.

"I don't want to see a single Japanese in California. I don't want to see a Japanese own a foot of land in California. If they are willing to perform menial labor on farms, under the direction of citizen owners, that is all right.

"In this case, however, it appears that to pass the bill in its original form, we would be working a hardship on many big land interests that now lease to Japanese and Chinese farmers. We should give them a chance to obtain American tenants before making the law too drastic."

At the close of Boynton's address, Senator Wright said:

"It ill becomes the distinguished senator to speak the words he has just used and I hope he will modify them."

Senator Boynton remained silent for a few moments and then admitted he was willing to make his remarks apply to alien laborers.

Senator Finn said neither the bill nor the amendment met with his approval.

No Compromise Favored.

"My constituents demand a law with the specific words 'ineligible to citizenship' in it and that is what I want."

Senator Birdsall, author of the original antialien bill in the Senate, declared the amendment was not to his liking and asked to be excused from voting on it.

Senator Cohn, Democrat, said he had been persuaded by men who represented 200,000 acres of land now leased by Japanese, that the exemption of three-year leases should be made.

The vote was 25 ayes; 13 noes.