William Jennings Bryan to Ernest Lister

The Japanese Ambassador has called my attention to a bill before your legislature discriminating against the Japanese in the matter of owning land.
After talking with the President I write to urge you to use your influence with the legislature to prevent discrimination— that is urge that the bill be so drawn as to make ownership depend upon something other than race. The President hopes that the Pacific States will go as far as they can in helping him to promote amicable relations with the Asiatic nations. He thinks it better to make this personal and confidential appeal than to address you publicly through an official communication. Please regard this as personal and let me know confidentially what the situation is. With assurances of esteem I am