The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-04
JAPAN HELD UP DEAL.
Prevented jessc For Galapagos
Islands 20 United States.

or less responsible for the feeling
which has developed in Ecuador
against the lease or sale Of the Gal
lapagos Islands, off the coast Of Ecua-
dor. to the United States. While the
american Government has never
made a bid for the islands, army and
navy strategists have repeatedly call
ed the State Departments attention
to the value of gaining possession of
the group as a base at the western
entrance to the Panama Canal.
Little attention had been given
these islands by any country until the
question of fortifying the Panama
Canal was discussed. Then, it de-
veloped. Japan began secretly court
ing Ecuador and Mexico, apparently
with the view Of establishing more
friendly relations with those coun-
tires, looking to the acquisition Of a
naval base on some island or bit of
country in the Pacific which would
render 1t impracticable for the United
States to obtain any base nearer than
San Francisco or Honolulu.
United States Government officials
today admit that, while they had te-
come interested in a tentative propo-
sition which had been submitted by
President Estrada, the anti-American
demonstration which has just de-
veloped in Ecuador puts the United
States in a position Of dropping all
negotiations until the people of Ecu
dor develop a more friendly attitude
toward the United States.
Estrada, during the recent campaign
for election, made the disposition of
the islands to a foreign country an
important issue as means Of rehabil-
itating the country's financial conLi~
ton. A few years ago the United
states reached an agreement with
Ecuador whereby the latter country
agreed to put Guayaquil, the last
port Of call of northbound stes mers
before reaching the Panama Canal
In a safe sanitary condition before
the opening of the canal. Senior Filipe
Carlo. then Minister to Washington,
returned home and spent nearly E,
year directing the Department Of
Public Works and Sanitation in ac-
complishing this work. Finally Ecua-
dor announced that II would be i'm
possible for her to carry our the pro-
ject on account Of a lack Of funds.
Senor Estrada, after his election,
recently submitted proposition to
the State Department for the trans
fer OF the present lease of the islands
from wiRiam H. christy, of London.
to this Government. This lease to
Christy was made, when the late
James G. Blaine was Secretary oc
State, for a period of 999 years at
$15,000,000. Mr.. Blaine was on the
point of taking over the lease from
Christy when Congress indicated It
would not approve such a step. Since
then the negotiations have never pro-
gressed satisfactorily to either coun-
try.
The Constitution of Ecuador pro-
vides that no territory can be sold or
leased to foreign state. 1t was held,
however. that the United States could
suitcase them from Mr.. Christy.
President-elect Estrada has agreed
that If the United States should take
over the lease and pay up the entire
sum a certain portion Of the money
would be applied to the sanitation
work and the remainder used for in
terror improvements. Estrada recent
ly has submitted the proposition to
the people. who, at big mass meetings,
have declared against the United
States. apparently believing it would
endanger the future integrity OF
their country for the American flag to
approach so near.
In the meantime 1t develops Japan
has made overtures to Ecuador for
the islands. even as she is supposed to
be counting Mexico in order to OBJ
tain the right to use Magdalena Hay
as an Eastern coaling base.