The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-03-22

hope is expressed that these denials
are we'll founded.
Washington, March IA big sem
sation was caused here today by the
London Standard story that Japanese
activity in Mexico is the real cause of
the great army and navy "maneuvers.
coming simultaneously with an un-
expected official confirmation Of ia
pans effort to establish a coaling sta
tion at Manzanillo on the west coast
of Mexico.
The formal admission was made
through the Bureau Of Manufactures,
a branch of the Government which
was overlooked when the ban Of Sc
crecy was placed on international af-
fairs a week ago.
Official Report OF Japanese Attempt
To Establish Base of Operations.
IN formal report, Vice. -Counsul r.
NJ. Stadden, at Man2anillo, is quoted
today as follows:
Negotiations are IN progress be
tween the Toyo Ksen Kaisha. the
Japanese trans Pacific steamship line
and the National Railway Of Mexico,
looking to the establishment of a coal
ing station at Campos. about two and
half miles from Manzanillo, on the
line OF the National Railways. Ships
OF the Toyo Kisen Kaisha touch at
Manzanillo on the run from Yoko-
hama to Valparaiso. Chile and return.
IF the coaling station be estab-
lished. the ships will coal home ward
bound at Manzanillo. and an effort
will be made TO sell coal also to the
Naviera line Of steamers which ply In
the Mexican coastwise trade"
Report Sent to Washington February
10.
1t was learned today that Stadden
wrote his report at Mananillo on
February 10 and sent IL by mail so
that II was received at the Bureau Of
Manufactures on February 81. In
the formal course OF procedure it
reached the State Department about
March 1. which. allowing a week for
careful investigation. would indicate
that Ii might have played a significant
part in the cause leading up to the
sudden army and navy orders issued
on March 6.
Togo Line Subsizcd by Japanese Gov
ernment.
The close relationship Of the Togo
Kisen Kasha to the Japanese Govern
ment is as a well-known fact. 1t re-
ceives an enormous subsidy and Is
practically Government owned line.
coaling station conducted for this
steamship line would be, as a matter
Of fact in case of emergency, a coal
ing station for the Japanese Navy.
The statements calmly made by the
Vice-Consul, appear in astounding
conflict with the positive assertions Of
Ambassador Uchida, OF Japan, and Of
the Mexican Government. both Of
whom positively denied that any ne
gotiations for "a coaling station were
under way.
In continuing his report. Stadden
said:
Until recently the Toyo Kisen aKi-
sha found little cargo for its ships
outbound from Yokohama to South
America. and 1t was planned to have
these ships carry coal to the proposed
station at Manzanillo.
TO Bring Coal From Japan.
Now. however. the Toyo Kisen
Kaisha Is securing full cargoes Of rice
and general merchandise for Peru
Wan ports. and il is planned that in
the event OF the establishment Of the
cOaling station the coal will be
brought out from Japan In steamers
Of the firm of Mitsui q Co. who are
also TO furnish the coal. Mtsul & Co.
are said To bc I'm communication with
the American contractor for the port
works at Manzt .''- vNe otto, roids
a concession fr r. b. N ... ..-