California’s Anti-Alien Bill
Governor Johnson of California has finally signed the anti-alien bill which has created so much discussion between this country and the Japanese during recent weeks. All sorts of rumors are in the air, but those who reside here in California do not find any special uneasiness or particular concern over the measure. All are confident that the good sense of the American people, as well as the leaders in Japan, will enable them to avert any clash at arms. Plans are on foot by one class of men to use the referendum to nullify the bill by rescinding it, and another class will circulate a petition to use the referendum to nullify the bill by substituting another that will be much more drastic. Japan and China both, during recent years, have been turning their eyes very strongly toward the civilization and higher ideals of the West, and particularly to the United States. It is to be hoped that such a wise course will be pursued as will not create ill feelings that will retard this progress among these Oriental nations. There is one thing that should be considered very carefully in connection with the whole discussion, and that is the missionaries that are in these fields from the various church organizations of this country, as well as those that are operating there from other nations. Our missionary interests should not be lost sight of in the work of straightening out differences that pertain only to the occupancy of land. If we are enlisted for the progress of this world, there are duties in this sphere of missionary operation that must not be overlooked.