Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-16
JAPANESE DENY
NAVAL BASE STORY
Ambassador Says Miksdo Never Had
Intention Of Occupying Any Ter
ritory on Mexican Coast.
SHIPS ARE sALvAG1NG AsAMA


WASHINGTON, April 15.-AI
official statement authorized by the
Japanese embassy today character
lied as ''preposterous" reports that 9
naval base had been established al
Turtle Bay. Lower California. and de
olsred there never has been any in.
tention on the part OF the japanese
government to locate a naval base OF
occupy any territory on the west
coast OF Mexico"
Operations OF japanese warships in
Turtle bay. embassy officials said. were
solely for the purpose OF salvaginE the
stranded cruiser Asema Il was stated
that while detailed reports from the
scene had not been received. as the CON
sui general at San Francisco was hand
ling the matter. landing on the shore OF
the bay probably had been found neces-
sary in connection with the salvage work.
OF reports- that a naval base had been
established, the embassy statement said.
1T is more than absurd: e Is pre-
posterous- There never has been any in
tention on the part OF the Japanese gov
eminent 70 locate naval base or TO oc-
eupy any territory on the west coast OF
Mexico. A few Japanese fishermen.
about a score in number perhaps fire.
quent the waters OF this bay. but they
have no connection whatever with the
Japanese naval establishment
Naval Department Not Exercised,
Dispatches from f1oa angeles telling OF
the gathering of foreign warships Ia the
secluded Mexican haven. OF a large camp
ashore and Of mines laid in tho harbor.
created no sensation among Washington
officials Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
said the Navy department was without
advioes as 70 Just what had happened.
but II anything extraordinary was going
on u certainly would have been reported
by the American warships In the yicin.
ny He added that Il would not be
UNUSUAL II the japanese had landed IN
connection with their efforts to save the
Asama
When Tho Asama first went ashore and
news OF tts plight came TO washington
every effort was made 20 prevent the
Information from reaching Germany be-
lore assistance could be sent. RESPONDING
20 the call for immediate succor for the
personnel OF the Asama, Admiral How.
ard hsstened 70 Turtle Bay from san
Diego on his flagship. the cruiser san
Diego. and the cruiser Raleigh also went
10 the scene. But before the aid OF these
vessels could be extended Japanese col
tier and two Japanese warships appeared
ann Admiral Howard steamed away.
Japanese GHard Maintained.
Japanese guard has been maintained
IN the bay and vicinity since, while the
japanese govevnmant has endeavored Ia
make arrangements with Americans wreck
ing companies to float the Asarna. In
qusrie~ from some OF these companies ar
70 whether the relief work could be UNDER
taken without violation OF neutrality de-
veloped no oppoaifion on the pnrt OF the
State department here. though Il was
pointsd out that tho question was one for
the Mexican government 10 decide.
Tho country eicnk the Lower California
coast is harrpn and without railroad a.
selesraphir communication with the rest
Of the world and pesslng vessels ,reop
wen out TO sea because OF the daneerous
coast. % that Il is a rere thing for news
TO reach the noter world