New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-12
MAGDALENA BAY DEAL
PURELY COMMERCIAL
BlaCkman Tells How 1t Failed
When Fishing Concession
Could Not Be Obtained.
DENIES A SALE TO JAPAN
Says President Taft Was In.
formed of Facts and Asserts
Lodge Inquiry Is Un-
necessary.
[ ~ telegraph to The rrihun.1


Los Angeles. April ll.--John =. Black
man. OF New York internationally con.
spcuous because OF his mysterious move
ments in connection with the reported at
tempt TO turn over to the japanese the
west coast OF Lower California, in the
Magdalena Bay district, arrived here to-
day and discussed the matter.
II was in communication with .. Nods,
engineer and fishing expert. and X. Abiko.
editor and colonization agent. and UNDER
stand they had the money to buy the land.
said Mr.. Blackman, but the deal was de-
clared off when II was discovered they
could not obtain the fishing concession
along the coast. There WAS no idea Of
turning the land over TO the Japanese gov.
eminent, a Japanese syndicate, or a Japan.
csc steamship company,
II went TO Washington early in August
last to see President Taft and put aside
rumors that was committing an act that
might be construed as a violation OF the
Monroe Doctrine. But when reached thers
found that my representative had seen .hs
President at 10 o'clock that morning 1t
was merely a coincidence. but on that daY
President Taft entertained Admiral Togo at
the White House"
II was on August last that tho Presi-
dent had rs his guest the Japanese admiral.
"My representative" continued Black
man, 'unfolded TO the President all our
plans He told the President Just who tbs
japanese were with whom We were dicker-
irg, and TO what purposes they intended
putting the land The President therefore
has full knowledge Of the facts and he can.
bt,o tu-n Of NJ
clear up the atmosphere and thereby OBJ
viate the necessity OF an investigation In
compliance with Senator Lodges probe
resolution.
II own the controlling interest In the
Magdalena Bay Company, which holds the
securities Of the Chartered Company az
Lower California, in which the title TO the
land is vested. The Chartered Company
secured the land from the Flores-Hale
Company in fee simple on February 3. 1904.
There was trouble among the stockholders
Of the Chartered Company and litigation
followed. had lent much money In CON
nection with the Chartered Company. ana
II was up to me TO protect myset won
and secured control Of the securities. Ger
tifcates were issued, and l have mine In
tact.
MY son. Arthur e. Blackman, ana my
brother. Charles A. Blackman, are on the
ground and. being in a position to know
I want 10 say that there Is not one let
s,ons any threatening number OF. japanese
on the property"
Did the activity OF the authorities ae
Washington In any way interfere with the
CARRYING out Of the negotiations with the
Iapanese?" he was asked.
1T did not" replied Blackman. ms
Japanese did not close the deal, because
they could not secure the fishing conces-
sion. II is foolish to say that the japanese
wanted the land for naval station or
coaling station. or anything OF the sort.
II the Japanese had the land. they could
not erect any docks or wharves without
the consent OF the Mexican government
The maritime zone runs inland from hisn
water mark TO a distance OF sixty-siN teet,
and the little dock that We have there IS
with the consent OF the Mexican govern
ment