Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-08
Magdalena the


by purchase or lease Of the necessary terri
tory as stated In yesterdays Star, is gen.
orally believed, despite denials today in OFF,
cial circles. In this connection Is recalled
the recent Crossing of wires" between
Sycamore Hin and the Navy Department
regarding the transfer of the Atlantic fleet
to the Pacific, when aff1rma lions followed
denials with unusual swiftness.
Assistant Secretary of State Adee today
gave out the following statement regarding
Magdalena bay:
The only foundation for the report, Mr..
Adee said, 'is the fact that the republic of
Mexico has recently concented that the
United States government may permanently
station a collier in Magdalena bay to pro-
vide coal for the American naval vessels
during the annual target practices. For
several years, through the courtesy OF the
Mexican government, our war vessels have
assembled in Magdalena bay for target
practice. and there has been absolutely no
change in this arrangement further than the
fact that in the future this government will
keep a collier stationed In the bay.
From the Mexican Embassy.
Following this came statement from
Senior Landa, charge d'affaires of the Mexi-
can embassy.
There is not one word Of TRUTH" said
Senior Landa, in the reports in the press
ADOuI HtSOlldllOIS DtlWtch -ucAiSo oiiN ShS
United States for the sale of Magdalena
bay and Lower California. The subject has
never been mentioned by the State Depart
ment to the Mexican ambassador.
II am at loss, continued the charge
d'affaires Ito understand where such re-
port could rise, and amazed that II
should receive credence. The Circulation
OF such a rumor is a serious matter. The
United States has the privilege of target
practice in Mexican waters in time OF
peace, but the acquisition of a naval base
from my country is a totally different mat
ter l have communicated with the am
bassador. who has authorized me to deny
the rUmored negotiations IN toto.
Negotiations in 1889.
Serious doubts are entertained as to
whether negotiations once begun can pro-
sress to a point which will promise
cess. for public sentiment in Mexico is
strongly. adverse to the alienation OF any
Mexican territory Secretary Blaine in 1889
sought to open negotiations for the pur-
chase of Lower California for military and
naval purposes. The exchanges progressed
only far enough 10 show that Mexico was
not responsive to the suggestion. The plan
To purchase Lower California at that time
sprang indirectly from American filibusters
organized at Lower California, which had
for its oh ject the occupation OF Esenda, the
capital of Lower California, the hosting of
the British flag and revolt against Mexico.
ter up with Washington and the plan
was frustrated. Mr.. Blaine then sought
to effect the purchase OF Lower California.
but public sentiment In Mexico was
strongly aVerSe. and the national CSnSu-
tuition was amended in such way as TO
prevent the future alienation of any ter
ritory and to discourage suggestions of
any such action. The constitution of
Mexico however, can be amended much
more easily than that of the United
States, and 1t may be that the cordial
relations between the United States and
Mexico so far as land for naval purposes
is concerned may permit success where
failure attended the purchase eighteen
years ago.
Might Get Naval Lease.
II is deemed altogether unlikely that
Lower California could be bought out; but
il Is thought that a naval base lease
might be effected. Lower California is
thtnly populated. portion of Mexico but 1t
Is doubtful If Mexico would relinquish it.
The peninsula runs parallel with the
main Mexican coast for a distance or
nearly 900 miles. and its possession by
even power so friendly as the United
States would be strategic advantage
which Mexico is not considered likely to
risk.
There is no idea of the establishment of
n large navy yard at Magdelena bay. Re
nairs are not the purpose for which the
Acct would rendezvous there. It's value
would rather be that OF the American
naval station at Guantanamo, Cuba, which
serves simply as a place for land drills and
small arms practice, in addition TO pos
ses.sing some small advantages Tor sup