Huerta and Adachi: An Interpretation of Japanese-Mexican Relations, 1913-1914

Abstract

On May 9, 1913 the California State Legislature passed an alien land bill designed to prohibit Japanese ownership of land in California. Based on prejudice and clearly discriminatory, the California Alien Land Act embarrassed Washington and provoked a controversy with Japan. Relations with that country rapidly approached the point of tension verging on war because Japan viewed the act as an affront to her national dignity. Many notes passed between the two governments during the remainder of 1913 and the first half of 1914, however, Washington's efforts to conciliate the Japanese failed. From the California viewpoint the passage of the alien land bill was strictly a domestic issue but it caused a serious break in the friendly relations between Japan and America and just as important it had serious implications for American diplomatic relations with another country. That country was America's neighbor to the south, revolutionary Mexico.