The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-04

Knox. that has justified any infer
ence that the Mexican government or
the imperial Japanese government
has been occupied with any disposi-
tion of land near Magdalena bay, by
which the latter government would
acquire land there for any purpose.
I'm these circumstances, the depart
ment of state felt no necessity for
further steps in the matter of any of
these runlors which are of q kind that
all too frequently occur to the detri-
ment of public opinion in the re-
specttve countries. and are so alien
to the cordial relations of the gov
ernments concerned
Secretary Knox said the rumors re-
gard1ng Japanese purchase evidently
arose from efforts by an American
syndicate to dispose of certain lands
in the vicinity Of Magdalcna bay This
American syndicate to dispose Of GER
tain lands in the vicinity Of Mag
dalene bay. This American syndicate.
according to the departments infor-
nation. entered into negotiations for
a sale to Japanese syndicate. Mean
time, an effort was made to ascertain
the attitude of the American govern
ment toward such a transaction. There
was evidence. Secretary Knox said,
that the American syndicate felt or
@new that Japanese capitalists would
Ie< care to consummate the purchase
y It the approval of the japanese
60. q, mt. and that the latter would
not B. its approval unless assured
the transaction would be unobjection-
able to the United States.
MIR. Raynor's Resolution.
In connection with the secretary's
report, Senator Rayner offered the
following resolutions:
Resolved. that the committee on
foreign relations be. and it is hereby,
directed to ascertain whether, under
the laws of Mexico or under treaty
rights, aliens are permitted to hold
and acquire landed property within
her territorial limits or to obtain con-
cesstons of land from the government
of Mexico, and also what power is
conferred by law upon the Mexican
government to grant exclusive fish
cry rights upon its ocean shore or in
Mexican coast. and whether or not
such acquisition of property or con-
cessions. if allowed. encroaches upon
the Monroe doctrine or are affected
by the same, and what position the
United States should assume in refer
ence thereto, and to report as early as
practicable the result of its investi-
cations to the senate"
Might Lead to War.
In the course Of his remarks on
the report of the secretary of state,
Mr.. Lodge asserted that the time had
come to expand the oMnroe doctrine
to provide against the very thing that
was threatened in Magdalena bay.
Senator Rayner. although contending
that this country had nothing to do
with concessions granted by Mexico
to Japanese citizens. declared that the
taking of any harbor or naval base by
Il. s,ll
Senator Bacon held that it was not a
matter of law. but of national right
to enforce that which might be deem
ed necessary for our own safety and
peace.
Asserting that the situation was now
shown by the report from the state
department to be harmless. for the
present, at least. Mr.. Lodge said: "It
seems to me that the moment is very
opportune for the senate on its part to
make declaration in regard to the
statement in President Monroes mes
sage, that the American continent is
not to be considered as A further OBJ
ject of foreign colonization.
The fact that a colony ia growing
up there of the citizens or subjects
OF foreign government holding a
fabltshing coaling station there is
Just as much guarded against by the
United States as if it were done di-
rectly by foreign government. The
thin veil of corporation does not
alter the character of the act.
Sought to Obtain Land.
1t is clear from the secretary's re-
port that some of our Japanese
friends have been trying to get pos
session of this land through syn
dicate formed by them. They have a
f1shing concession alor~ that coast
now. So have we. So has Great Bri-
tain. They have been taking great
interest in their fishing concession.
They have been surveying the coast.
Information has come about their
purchase and use of maps ! impute
no Interior motive at all. but the mat
ter of fishing and the repair of nets
require no possession of great areas
of land or great harbor."
Mr.. Rayner while not agreeing in
toto to what Mr.. Lodge said. was
equally firm as against any concessions
to a foreign power by Mexico.
Mr.. Rayner's resolution was re-
ferred to the committee on foreign
relations.
.[1|Iun nIIIIV