The Washington times., 1913-05-18
WILSON F0R.CAUT|ON
IN JAP CONTROVERSY
Ban on Military Movements Is
Taken as Veto of Army and
Navy Boards Suggestion.

President Wilson. in issuing orders
that there shall be no movements OF
troops or battleships while the diplo-
matte negotiations with Japan are in
progress. was. In effect. giving his vet
to recommendations of the Joint army
and navy board that a large portion OF
the Atlantic fleet be sent to the Pacific
Ocean. This is the explanation for those
orders given in informed circles. though
official confirmation is lacking owing to
the secrecy with which the movements
Of the Army and Navy Departments are
being treated.
1t IL declared that the joint army and
navy board not only recommended that
vessels Of the Atlantic fleet be sent to
Pacific waters, but that the work on the
Hawaiian defenses be expedited and
that the garrisons along the California
coast be strengthened. These moves
were to be made with the conviction that
every step should be taken to bring the
military establishment up to the highest
degree Of preparedness.
President Prefers Caution.
But President Wilson is said to be
firmly set against any extraordinary
steps which might irritate Japan, and,
for the present at least. he is said to
have taken the position that caution
should be placed before activities look
ing to preparedness. At any ratee. the
President has ordered caution in further
movements of troops. and. aside from
the Montana and Tennessee, which are
steaminS home from Mediterranean wa
ters, ana the two companies OF coast ar
tillery, which left Fort Washington yes
terday for San Francisco, from which
port they will sail in ten days for
Hawaii, there are no unusual activities
In either arm Of the service.
The answer Of the United states Gov
ernment to Japan's protest against the
California legislation has not yet been
communicated to Ambassador Chinda.
Secretary Bryan last evening had q two
hours conference with President Wilson
at the White House. but at the close he
not the japanese situation. He would
not indicate when he would communi-
cate with Viscount Chinda, nor would
he admit that the Federal Government
is awaiting the epected veto Of Governor
Johnson before acting further. The
Is following the diplomatic usage to
wait a reasonable time before proceed
ing with such interchanges.
No Protest Over Arizona.
No protest has been received from the
Japanese government bearing on the en-
actment Of a new alien land law in
Arizona, a law more drastic than that
passed by the California legislature.
The Mexicn provisional government Is
expected to use this as a basis Of pro-
test. however. as the law is made to
apply to prevent ownership OF lands by
Mexicans as well as by Asiatics.
Interest is displayed in official cir
cles in foreign comment on the Japa-
nese situation. now being received. The
fact that the Japanese are living in a
now barred from owning land in Japan
Is held abroad to lesson Japan's
chances of making an International is
sue Of its present objections to Cali
fornia's legislation.
NEW YORK, May S-Ready for their
journey across the continent, 80 men,
bers Of the coast artillery from Fort
Slocum left Jersey City shortly before
noon today for San Francisco en- route
for Honolulu.
The men comprise the Fourth Ar
tillery Corps and are commanded by
sections. thirty-six cars In all. the
trains pulled out on time
The railroad officials admit the order
for the trains was hurried one. The
sending of the contingent Is in line with
recommendation of the Taft regime
which contemplated having 10000 men
in Oahu. The general stan in COM
on this phase Of the subject
said last autumn:
The security OF our naval base in
the Pacific demands that the garrison
at Oahu must be able to hold out at
all hazards until our fleet can arrive in
Hawaiian waters. This may be taken
as forty days. assumed the Panama
canal is open to the fleet