William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson
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33 WU. DN. FD. 240 Collect
Government
Sacramento, Calif.,
April 28, 1913.
Spent two hours answering questions. Two questions which I was requested to submit to you were as follows: First, When the President advised against the words “ineligible to citizenship” did he know that Arizona passed a law in 1913 including those words, and that Washington passed a law in 1909 including those words, and if he did not know of those statutes then does he still advise against those words now that he does know of these statutes. Second, Did Japan protest when the law of Arizona and Washington were enacted and if not why does she protest against the passage of a similar statute in California. I answered the first that whether you knew of the Washington and Arizona statutes or not I felt sure that they would not change your views as to the advisability of avoiding the words “ineligible to citizenship”. I could not answer second question. I would like an answer to both questions to submit tomorrow morning. I understand that Washington is considering a proposition to change her law and I am wiring the Governor of Washington for information. Think majority still incline to use words “ineligible to citizenship”. I have been asked what you would do if legislature passed bill containing words “ineligible to citizenship”. I answered that I was not prepared to answer the question without further information from you.
W. J. Bryan.¹11:55 pm.