The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-15

derce 1t may be reported that he looks upon the Lusitania incident as raising im-
 portant questions of international law and he apparently believes that the United States should take no action until after
 fuli correspondence with Germany has
 passed. Others are of the opinion that. however We might look upon such action,
 Germany would instantly regard it as hostile, justifying her declaration that
 state of war exists betweeen Germany
 and the United States. It appears to be
 the majority opinion in this city and the
 opinion ofsa great majority that actual rupture with Germany is not called for at this time and should be prevented Therefore, 1t may be assumed that if the view taken by Dr. Moore is correct, then those who are advising rupture of dip-
 lomatic relations with Germany should understand that this in all proba bility
 would be preliminary to actual hostility. The communication made by Jacob H. Schiff, which appeared in Pacific coast periodical a few days ago. in which he strongly Nurged the acquisition by the United. States of the peninsula which is called Lower California, and which is within the sovereignty of Mexico, gives several reasons why MT. Schiff takes this view. All of his reasons have been either informally or publicly given by some of those who have been in high authority at Washington. William H. Seward. when Secretary of State, hoped-after he bought Russian America. now called Alaska Tor the United States-that Lower California would soon pass from Mex lcan ownership to the United States His
 reason was the same as that which per
 suaded him to negotiate for the purcha SC lao | .
 to the time when our Pacific commerce would be more important than our Allan JIG commerce. Secretary Seward believed that the United States should acquire all ol the Pacific coast line which had not
 already been secured by Great Britain.
 | when James G. Blaine was Secretary or state, in the administrations of Presi oent Garfield and President Arthur, he looked yearningly@toward Lower Caljfor- !, ma. He was in correspondence with a nan Of influence who lived al San Diego and who was familiar with the phystca characteristics of the Lower California peninslla This man was also in close
 touch with Mexico or had been at one l time. MT. Blaine's reasoning was similar
 to that of his predecessor in the state
 department, Secretary Seward, and was similar to that contained in Jacob H. l Schiffs communication,
 l Probably because Secretary Blaine $ service as Secretary of State was brief
 he was unable to take up the matter off cially. Dr. John Bassett Moore said to- | day that there is no record in the state department of any action by Secretary l Blaine which indicated that he contem- plated negotiating with Mexico for the purchase of Lower California. The am bassador from Mexico. MT. Romero, ap- parently had no knowledge that MT l Blaine was contemplating anything o1
 that kind. Romero prepared somewhat l elaborate and very detailed sketch of
 his relations with the state department rot for publication, but for reference l The few who saw this work say that il | contains no reference to any tentative ac- ton by MT Blaine with intent to begir negotiations for Lower California. Ne l gotiations at that time would probably
 phave failed. since it was the inflexiblt principle of Diaz when he ruled Mexico not to permit any alienation of her terri
 tory Conditions then were different from those of the present tine and it may bt that the recommendation of MT. Schif may by and by be followed by negotia
 tions which have in view the acquisition | of Lower California. The peninsula would be of great value to the United