The Washington times., 1909-04-26
Secretary Dickinson Will In
veStigate Rumor When He
Visits Panama.
SOUTH AMERICAN
REPUBLIC INVOLVED
Colombians Said TO Be Smuggling
Mikado's Men Across the
Frontier.

IL was learned today that one of the
chief subjects that will be investigated
by Secretary of War Dickinson during
his present trip to Panama is reports
that have come to the War Department
that the Canal Zone is being colonized
with Japtnese who are arriving there in
great numbers.
Authentic information TO the War De-
partment is to the effect that the Re
public of Colombia is instrumental in
the bringing of the yellow men TO the
zone, and it is known here that Ameri-
can diplomatic officials have been di-
rected to make representations to the
Colombian government that the United
States regards this as an act Of un-
friendliness.
Collecting Information.
Because of the delicate nature OF the
case and the character Of the inforIna-
tion, no representations have been made
to the government of Japan, but the
United States Government is collecting
all the information available on the
subject.
1t is feared by the War Department
that the Japanese on the zone are max
ing elaborate traeings and maps of the
canal during its construction so that
Japan will be in a position TO do great
damage 10 the canal In case IL Is ever
desired to render il useless in the event
of war between the United States and
Japan. An intimate knowledge of the
weak and strong points OF the canal,
together with maps OF the strategic
points, would be Of inestimable advan-
tage TO any foreign nation, especially
on the Pacific ocean, should II be de-
sired TO prevent an American feet get
ting quickly from the Atlantic to the
Pacific oceans.
Japs Examine Defenses.
The defenses to be erected by the
Government Cor the protection OF the
zone are also suspected Of being ex-
amined by the Japanese.
The War Department is considerably
concerned by the reports, and an inyes-
tigstion is under way to determine, II
possible, the exact number of Japanese
on the zone and the opportunities they
have had for spy work.
The government of Colombia has been
unfriendly to the United States since
the revolution" in Panama and the
recognition Of the republic of Panama
by this Government, and 1T Is charged
by the investigators OF this Government
that the South American republic is
aiding the japanese across the border
into the zone.
The japanese work on the canal as
laborels In some Instances. but most OF
them pose as merchants and fruit ped
dlers. selling the necessities of life to
the laborers. It is admitted here that
the number OF Japanese on the Pacific
side of the zone has increased to a con-
siderable extent during the past five
months.
The Government is considering a way
TO deal with the situation in case the
condition in Panama is as alarming as
reports would indicate. The Taft ad-
ministration Is determined to maintain
friendly relations with Japan. Presi-
dent Taft himself has visited japan and
received a telegram of congratulation
from the Mikado when he took the
reins of government on March T. It
would be a delicate request to make OF
Japan that she keep her men away
from the canal. It is likely that the
whole case will be handled In dealings
with Colombia.