The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-04-15
Official Statement Issued by
japanese Embassy at Wash
ington Says Turtle Bay
Story Is Absurd.
ONLY PURPOSE is TO
SALVAGE THE ASAMA
Declare Matter of Naval Base
On West Coast Of Mexico
Never Has Been Considered
at Toxic.


Washington, April f5.--An Of
acial statement authorized by the
japanese embassy today charac-
terized as 'preposterOus" reports
that naval base had been
established at Turtle Bay Lower
California, and declared there
never has been any Intention on
the part OF the japanese govern
mont TO locate naval base or
occupy any territory ON the west
coast OF Mexico"
Operations of japanese warships
In Turtle Bay, embassy officials said.
were solely Tor the purpose OF salvag-
ing the stranded cruiser Asama. II
was stated that while detailed re-
ports from the scene had not been
received, as the consul general az
san Francisco was handling the mat
ter. landing on the shore of the buy
PROBABLY had been found necessary
in connection with the salvage work.
OF reports that naval base had
been established, the embassy state
ment snid.
IT Is more than absurd: 1t is pre-
postcrous. There mover has been
any intention on the part of the Jap
base or To occupy any territory on
the west coast of Mexico. A few
Japanese fishermen, about score Ia
number perhaps. frequent the waters
of this bay hut they have no connec-
tion whatever with the japanese ma
val establ'shment"
Dispatches from Los Angeles tell
Ing Of the gathering of foreign war
anHHta tfs he
of q large camp ashors and mines
laid iu the harbor. created no sensa-
tion among Washington officials.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt said
the navy departing was without ad-
vices as to just what had happened.
but that II anything extraordinary
was going on u ccrtviHly would have
been reported by the American war
ships In the vicinity. lie added that
II would not be unusual II the Jap
anesc had landed In connection with
| their efforts To- save the Asntna
When the Asama first went ashore
and news of her plight came ~
Warrington, every effort was made
10 prevent the Information from
reaching Germany before assistance
could be sent. Responding to the
| Nv A'A AAiliN'hihAA aNiANF lhl lht
personnel of the Asama Admiral
Howard hastcned to Turtle lIay from
san Diego on his flagship. the cruise,
san Diego. ana the cruiser Raleigh
also went 10 the scene. But befor,
the aid of these vessels could be cx.
tended japanese collier and tive
japanese warships appeared and Ad.
| mifal Howard steamed away.
a Japanese guard has been main
tainod Ia the bay and vicinity since
while the japanese government hai
chdcavorod 10 make aTrangement
with American wrecking companies
To iiuat the Asama Inquiries from
some Of these companies as q
whether the relief work could be un
deriaken without violation Of neu
trality developed no opposition on tn
part of the state department here
though II WAS pointed out that th'
question WIS one Tor the Mexical
government To- decide. The cuuntr
along the Lower California coast
barron ana without railroad or tclo
graphic communication with the res
OF tho world ana passing vessel
Keep well out 10 sea because OF IA
dangerous cOast, 80 that Il iA "a rar
thing Tor news to reach the quite
world.