The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-07
SEEK PACIFIC COAL4NG POINT
NAVY DEPARTMENT EYE on
MiGDiLENA RAY.


tary Of the Navy Mctcalf in Oakland that
tie battieship feet is to be transferred
70 the Pacific for a somewhat indefinite
rerlod naval officers are doing a good deal
of speculation in regard to the coaling
facilities.
II has been suggested that Secretary
Root at the time of his visit to Mexico this
fall may seek TO make an arrangement
with President Diaz whereby the United
States may he allowed to establish a coal
ing station in Lower California. This sug-
ecstion is urged by naval officers who
nre familiar with the advantages which
Magdalena Bay affords. 1t is regarde ed
as The finest naval target range in the world,
certainly the best to which American ships
have access. 1t was there that five ships
Of the Pacific feet made their remarkable
records last spring. capturing all the
trophies for which they shot.
The bay is about ten miles long and
fifteen miles wide. and is entirely land
locked. save for an entrance about a mile
vide. and affords an excellent drill ground.
The nearest United States port is San Diego,
Ndl,. dDOut hlA nunuIou hlIltS 10 INC nOTtn.
While the sterility of the surrounding
country would prevent the establishment
Of a large naval base. such as Is contem-
plated at Guantanamo, yet it might be
used. naval officers say. to great advantage
as a coaling station.
1t is the gossip in Official circles to-day
that to acquire a station on Magdalena Bay
will be one OF the chief purposes Of Secre-
tary Roots visit to President Diaz. One of
the principal things. however. which inter-
feres with its acquisition in the Constitution
Of Mexico. Those who are familiar with
the provisions Of THAI Constitution declare
that il contains a clause which forever pro-
hihits the sale to any foreign country Of any
part Of IN. republic or the disposition to
any foreign country Of any part Of the
sovereignty of Mexico. This provision "
said to have been inserted in the Mexican
Constitution as a result Of the Gadsden pur-
chase. which aroused much feeling in the
republic.
With this constitutional provision as a
barrier il is not likely that so adroit and
diplomatic a statesman as Secretary Root
would venture even TO suggest the acquisi-
ton Of any territory from our sister repub-
lie on the south.
TOXIC. July 8.-The Nichi
Nichi Stimbzh says American feeling tow
ard Japan appears TO have reached almost
the hysterical stage. In the apprehension
II Americans the resolution adopted by
the Japanese chambers OF IN is an
intention to boycott American goods. The
paper says an "a explanation may be sought
in the Americans own fear regarding the
final outcome Of the San Francisco affair.
Acomplete solution of the question without
laa,,.. kl- - waUa ~ IHn-A..A.
between the two countries is a pressing
necessity.
LONDON. July 7.-SeveraI sensational Sun
day newspapers make a feature of the posi-
bility of war between Japan and the United
States. The Weekly Dispatch goes so far a.
to quote the opinion of Sir Hiram Maxim
as to the costliness of such a struggle and
OF Admiral Bridge regarding its spectacular
CHARACTER.
Reynoids's Newspaper, whose accuracy
is the most questionable of the lot. says
it has TRANSFERRED that the Foreign Offics
has received important information point
ing to the possibility of n rupture of rela-
tons between the two countries. II is
obvious that Revnolds's Newspaper has no
reliable authority for this sta tennent.
LONDON. July $50 far az can be learned
The highest political circles in England
'egard the decision OF the Wash inRton
Government to send n feet of battleships
into the Pacific Ocean as a wise proceeding
instead of one tending to increase the likeli-
hood Of war. These observers believe that
it will act as a balancing force in American
Japanese relations. From the beginning of
The race difficulties in California il has been
the opinion in British Cabinet quarters that
The only real danger lay in the possible
Effort on the part of the Japanese to secure
a settlement satisfactory to themselves by
methods NO i~nsistent as to resemble coercion.
Almost without exception diplomats in
London regard the naval weakness OF
America in the Pacific at this crisis as en-
ouraging such a onward policy by Japan
az might sting Americans into active resent
ment. At the Japanese Legation the idea
Of war continues to be secuted. Baron
Komuri declares that whatever trouble
exists belongs necessarily and permanently
to the domain Of diplomacy and interna-
tional law.
Numerous conversations have taken place
between Ambassador Kcmura and Sir
Edward Grey. the British Secretary, at which
the California imbroglio has been discussed
incidentally. On each Of these oc casions
the Japanese Ambassador has assured
the Foreign Secretary hat his Government
was determined scrupulously to avoid any
word or ACT which might hamper Presi-
dent Roosevelt in his effort 10 arrive at a
solution of the difficulty by the means
chosen by himself.
Americans in London. while clinging 10
the belief that Japan does not intend TO
take measures utterly out Of proportion
to the justice OF it's case in San Francisco.
are beginning to display at least a little
unea siness.
On the other hand the ablest students
Of International relations hold that Japan's
Government, appreciating that war with
America would expose the island empire
To very terrible risks quite apart from
any harm which the republic might be
able 10 %infiict, will restrain the Jap jingoes
with an iron hand.
AMHERST. Mass. July 8.-Prof. Edwin A.
Grosvenor Of Amherst College, who is