The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-04-21
JAPS HAVE NJ BASE.
EhBsSSI DENIES The PLANTING
OF NAVAL STATION.
STORY FROM CALIFORNIA
Correspondent Of Los Angeles Paper
Tells Story Of Alleged Undue Activ-
ity by Japanese Warships Operat-
ing for the Supposed Purpose of
Protecting Wrecked Cruiser.

A dispatch from Los Angeles, Cal,
declares that a large Japanese camp
has been established on the shores Of
Turtle Bay, Lower California, Mexico,
and the bay has been mined by jap
anese war craft standing by the
standard cruiser Asama, according to
stuff correspondent of the Los An
geles Times, who has just returned
from trip of investigation.
Three Japanese warships under
command of Admiral Nadayama,
with six colliers and supply ships
made altogether nine ships in the
vicinity. Japanese officers said they
were awaiting the arrival Of a great
crane ship.
The correspondent declared Turtle
Bay not only had been mined, but
that ammunition had been landed
and taken to the camp established
ashore. Preparations also were made,
he added, to land guns from the Asa
ma. The mines were laid, the CORE
spondent said he was told, as an ad-
ditional precaution. against attack by
German naval vessels.
The warships guarding the Asama
were the Chitose, Idzumo and Toxin
ba. When the correspondent sought
to get close to these vessels and to
visit the Asama he said he was ar
rested and told that it was dangerous
to cruise about the bay.
Denied In Washington.
An Official statement authorized by
the Japanese embassy at Washington
Thursday characterized as ''prepos-
ferrous" reports that naval base had
been established at Turtle Bay, Low
er California, Mexico, and declared
there never has been any intention
On. the part of the Japanese govern
ment to locate-a naval base or occupy
any territory on the west coast es
Me3ico.'
Operations OF Japanese warships in
Turtle Bay, embassy officials said,
we're solely for salVaging the strand
ed cruiser Asama. 1t was stated that
while detailed reports from the scene
had not been received, as the consul
general at San Francisco was hand
ling the matter, landing on the shore
Of the bay probably had been found
necessary in connection with the sal
wage.
- OF reports that naval base had
been established, the embassy state
ment said: 'It is more than absurd;
it is preposterous. There never has
been any intention on the Fart of the
Japanese government to locate a
naval base, or to occupy any territory
on the west coast of Mexico. A few
Japanese fishermen, about score in
number, perhaps, frequent the waters
of this bay, but they have no connec-
tion whatever with the Japanese
naval establishment.
Los Angeles dispatches telling Of
the gathering of foreign warships in
the secluded Mexican haven, Of a
large camp ashore and Of mines laid
in the harbor, created no sensation
among Washington officials. Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt said the navy
department was without advices as to
just what had happened, but that if
anything extraordinary was going on
it certainly would have been report
ed by American warships in the vicin-
ity. He added it would not be un-
usual if the Japanese had landed in
connection with their efforts to save
the Asama.
When first news that the Asama
had gone ashore reached Washington
over the navy's wireless, every effort
was made to prevent the information
from reaching Germany before as
sistance could be sent. Admiral How
ard fastened to Turtle Bay from San
Diego, but before he could extend
aid, a Japanese collier and two jap
anese warships appeared, and Ad-
miral Howard steamed away.
A Japenese guard has been main
tanned in the bay and vicinity since,
while Toxic has tried to make ar
rangements with American wrecking
companies to float the Asama. In
quiries from some of these companies
as to whether relief work could be
undertaken without isolation of neu-
trality developed no opposition on
the part of the State department,
though 1t was pointed out that the
question was one for the Mexican
government to decide.
The country along the Lower Cali
fornia coast is barren and without
railroad or telegraphic communlca-
ton. Passing vessels keep well out
to sea because Of the dangerous
coast.