The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-11

Washington, March 10.-"Japan has
never made the slightest effort to OBJ
tain from Mexico any concession for a
coaling station for naval uses at Mag
dalena Baylor AlI-Saints' Bay. or, in
deed. at any point on the Pacific coast
Of Mexico"
This was the emphatic declaration
of Baron Uchida. japanese ambassa-
dor to Washington. when his attention
was called to published statements
that through secret treaties or other
arrangements with Mexico. Japan eth
er had acquired. or was about to ac-
quire, a coaling station or naval base
on this side of the Pacific.
Abiding to a proposed new line Of
japanese steamers to ply between
Mexican ports and Peru on the south.
the ambassador stated that If this
company had made any arrangements
for coaling it's vessels in Mexican ter
ritory. such an arrangement was on a
purely business basis, with which the
japanese government had nothing to
do
The ambassadors statement was di-
rected to a charge by Mexican revo-
lutionary agents in this country that
President Diaz had sought to secure
japanese support by making traf1ic ar
rangements with Japanese steamship
lines These arrangements it was al
legged would give the lines practical
control OF the Tehauntepec railroad
the valuable connecting link between
the Gulf Of Mexico and the Pacific
Ocean.
DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE.
E,rrn Trohf6a r,rora1f1v denfed
knowledge OF any such special ar
rangsment relating to the Tehauntepec
railway He said American cotton
boushE for Japan was takel. in part
,tiif etltes Via the Tehaunte-
pee railroad to the Pacific.
lust what arrangements existed as
to the matter OF transportation be-
tween the ship owners and the direc-
tors OF the railroad he did no tknow,
but he knew absolutely. ne said. that
the Japanese government was not con-
cerned in this. a purely business ar
rangement.
MA0DALENA ABANDONED.
lena bay was abandoned by the United
States navy as drill ground during
the winter months were readily dis
closed by officials of the state de-
partment when it became known that
the ARRANGEMENTS had been terminated
earlier in the winter.
Several years ago. when the Ameri-
can gunnefs were not nearly so prof.
eient as they now are, it was regarded
as necessary by the navy department
TO conduct the target practice in some
sheltered bay, which would afford
- T&
sary to go south on the Pacific coast
because the practice is usually held
late in the fall or winter and early
spring.
MaedaIena bay was found to be ad-
mirably adapted to the purpose. The
Mexican government readily assented
to its use and even went further and
granted permission for the blue
jackets and marines to land on the
shore north of the bay and establish
temporary rifle ranges. Also a cou-
pie of huIks were moored in the bay to
act as colliers and some coal was
piled on shore.
This arrangement worked well for
several years. but finally an element
in Mexico. always jealous of the United
States. began an attack upon Presi-
Ucnt 1ldzs CtldISi Siu6 ne was SACiOAlS
Mexican territory to the United
States.
When the arrangements for the use
Of the bay expired early last Decem-
Der. the Mexican government de-
cided to refrain from renewing it
The American state department was
consulted meanwhile, and 1t developed
that naval officials no longer con-
n b. hox fv.1 c7f
Continued on Page Seven.