New-York tribune., 1911-01-22
IFrnm The Tribune Rureau.l

Washington, Jan. 21.-As the govern
ment of Ecuador has more need for
ready cash Just now than for the Gala
paeos Islands and Japan Is said 10 he
looking around in the eastern Pacific
for land ot some sort, the United states
may have TO become the purchaser. the
action of the Mexican government In de-
clining 10 enter into another agreement
for the use Of Magdalena Bay for target
practice by American warships is attrio-
utcd 10 Japanese influence and Japan is
understood to he seeking similar per-
nit 10 use that bay. The recent report
from Mexico that Japan had acquired
an island Of Mexico was untrue. but II
appears that It was founded on tnat
country's desire TO acquire the use OF
Magdalena Bay
For some time the Galapagos Islands
have been practically on tho market,
with no takcrs. Ecuador is in a posi-
ton similar 10 that OF Mexico, in that
she cannot part with any Of her terri
tory 10 any other nation. When James
G.. Blaine was Secretary OF State Ecua-
dor leased the islands for 999 years 10
William n. Chrlsty. of England. with
the understanding that they might be
sub-lcascd by him to the United States
The deal was, however. never put
through.
The State Department has been In
correspondence with Ecuador on the
proposition and will probably recon-
mond their acquisition The President
of Ecuador has put the proposition up
70 the people of his country to obtain
their views as 10 whether the constitu-
ton should be amended to permit Of the
sale of the islands. Aside from any
political or military advantage TO be
gained by the possession OF the ISLANDS,
the state Department is Interested IN
the proposition because Of the possible
need of some station south of the Pa
cific entrance to the canal To guarantee
sanitation and health conditions In the
immediate vicinity--at the last ports OF
call before the canal is reached
The Galapagos Islands, fifteen in num-
her. are situated on the equator, extend
ing ninety miles on each side OF IT, ana
are about six hundred miles from the
coast Of Ecuador, 10 which they belong.
They provide several good anchosages and
might be desirable az a naval base.
The possession OF Galapagos Islands, be-
cause OF their strategical position near the
Panama Canal, has been a matter OF dip
lomatic discussion for some years. Great
Britain and France have both been report
cd az coveting foothold there. Washing
ton has not heretofore publicly figured IN
the matter. but the importance Of naval
Ia Sc so near the canal is understood read
Hy. especially now that the question Of
fortifying the Panama Canal Is under con-
sideration.
In February. 1905. Dr.. Rendon, then the
Minister of Ecuador at Paris, protested
against the frequent reports that his gov
ernment purposed to sell the islands. He
said that, while the islands were eagerly
sought BY other governments, no offer
for them had been definitely made.
The islands formerly were frequented by
many vessels which went there for guano.
OF late years, however, the guano beds
lave become exhausted and ships DO not
ordinarily stop there unless driven to seek
refuge. They are practically uninhabt-
ed.
During the cruise OF the American fleet
around the world the gunboat YanktOn
was detached 10 visit Indefaugahle ISL
and. one OF the group, in the hope of
finding Fred Jefs. the son Of clothing
merchant in Tacoma, Wash. and brothe"
of a woman in South Norwalk, Conn.
Jeffs. with others Of the crew OF Norwe-
Eian ship. escaped 70 the island when the
vessel was wrecked. Subsequently all but
Jeffs were picked up by passing steamer
Teffs had gone TO a distant part Of the
island ar the time and vas not found by
the Yankton. The incident excited much
nterest