Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-10

tionary agents in this country that Presi-
dent Diaz had sought to secure japanese
support by making traffic arrangements
with Japanese steamship lines. These ar
raneements. It was alleged, would give
the lines practical control or the 1ehauh-
tepec railroad-that valuable connecting
link between the Gulf of Mexico and the
Pacific ocean.
Raron Uchida promptly denied knowl-
edge of any special arrangement between
his government and the Mexican govern
ment relating to the Tehauntepec railway
IT was fact. he said. that the Japa-
nese spinners and weavers were buying
great quantities of American cotton.
and this was being taken In part from
gulf states via the Tehuantepec rail-
road to the Pacific. where 1T was loaded
into Japanese steamships. Just what
ARRANGEMENT existed as to the matter
of transportation rates between these
steamship owners and the directors or
the railroad he did not know. but he
knew absolutely. he said. that the Japa-
nese government was not concerned In
the matter which was a purely busl-
ness arrangement.
Magdalena Bay Incident.
The conditions under which Magdalena
bay was abandoned by the United states
Navy as drill grouud during the winter
months were readily disclosed by ofnclals
of the State Department when 1t became
known that the arrangement had been
terminated early in the winter
Several years ago. when the naVal
American gunners were not nearly So
proficient as they are now, it was re-
earded as necessary by the Navy Depart
ment TO conduct the target practices III
IA sheltered bay which would aHord Plen-
ty of smooth water. 1t was necessary W
go south on the Pacific coast because
the practice is usually held in the late
fall or winter and early spring Masua-
lena bay was found to he admiraol!
adapted TO the purpose.
The Mexican government redoily as
scented to it's use and even went 1urtner
and granted permission for the plue-
jackets and marines to Iand on the
shore north of the bay and establ1sh
temporary rife ranges. Also couple
of hulks were moored in the bay to
set as GOLFERS and some coal was piled
on shore.
Party in Mexico Opposed.
This arrangement worked well for
several years. but finally an element
in Mexico which has always been jeal-
Gus of the United States began a sys-j
tematic attack upon the government
of President Diaz, charging that it was
yielding Mexican territory to the Amer
leans. and by other charges infaming the
national pride.
SO il happened that when this arrange
ment for the use of the bay, which took
the form of yearly license, expired early
last December the Mexican government
decided to refrain from renewing 1t.
Before finally Withdrawing the privilege,
however, the American State Department
was consulted. and it developed that
naval officials no longer considered the
bay as indispensable for target practice.
In fact. the American gunners had pro-
crossed well in their work that the
department felt justified in more severe
aunnery requirements. and decided that
hereafter target practice should be held
in the open sea, and in rough water.
thereby reproducing actual battle condi-
tions. The navy therefore. readily as
scented to the termination of the Mexican
license.