New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-24
MAGDALENA BAY LETTERS
Japanese Tried to Avoid Anything
Which Would Excite AnimOSlty.
| Fronl u Trlllne Bnreau

Washington. May 23.-The anxiety Of the
japanese syndicate which negotiated with
tie American company for an interest il
the so-Called Magdalena Bay concession 60
close the deal end establish a japanese
colony IL reflected IN tho correspondence
which passed between the state Depart
ucnt and the attorney for the American
company. Frederick r. Allen. Of New York.
which vas sent to the Senate to-day by
President Taft The correspondence was
transmitted in compliance with a resolu-
ton introduced on May IS by senator Poin-
dexter.
Mr.. Allen. in his letters 70 the depart
ment. gave assurances that the Japanese
were anxious to avoid anything which would
excite animosity on the part, Of the people
Of the Pacific Coast NJ. Shimada. mem
Ter Of the japanese Parliament was rep
resented as being willing TO assure the
President or the Secretary Of state that
tho enterprise vas . purely commercial
one. and that his government had no idea
Of establishing a coalinE station AT Mag
dalena Bay or at any point on the Pacific
Coast. The difficulty appeared TO be that
mere. except japanese settlers could be se-
cured 10 begin the development Of the re.
gion embraced within the concession.
The first letter. dated New York, August
Q from Mr. Allen to the Secretary Of State,
refers ~ earlier verbal negotiations. and
asked the attitude Of the department. The
Secretary 81 state replied on August II
II is difficult for me 10 answer cate
gorically the inquiries you make, but J
ought not to disguise the fast-very likely
fully realized by you-that such transfer
would be quite certain to be interpreted IN
some quarters in manner such as 10 cause
a great cutlery Such result would OBJ
vtousIy be such a cause OF regret 10 the
government Of the United States that II
appears unnecessary for me TO make fur-
ther comment in response TO your request
10 know the feeling Of the Federal govern
ment In the premises
This statement the department adhered
10. merely reterating its replies when IL
was suggested the Americans would retain
control and that the japanese holding com
pany would be a minority interest. OR
these negotiations, Mr.. Allen. in a letter
OF November 10. 19ll, said in part:
We have initiated "A negotiation with the
Japanese gentlemen Of whom have spoken
10 you upon a pla> Of cooperation with
IFS they to purchase q % per cent interest
In the company, with an option for a FUR
faer - per cent interest; we. that is the
Americans TO retain control OF the prop
erty with a majority OF the board OF direc-
tors. and Mr. Blackman as president and
manager of the company.
The whole attitude Of the japanese Is 10
avoid doing anything which would in any
way incite any feeling or luminosity among
the citizens OF the Pacific Coast We, be-
lieve that such o plan this will remove
any possible objection on the part OF the
United states government.
The syndicate IN control OF the property
have found that Il is almost impossible TO
obtain labOrers and colonists from the
United States Ia 20 - Lower California.
and are now fully convinced that the
nucleus OF settlement and the beginning
OF Development may best be obtained by Co
operation with the japanese. as they can
settle some Of the land and initiate the de
velopment Of the territory with their own
labOrers. who arc more accustomed 10 such
conditions as obtain in Lower California.