The Washington herald., 1916-02-21
JAPAN SEEKS
y BASE in WEST
Reported Negotiating with
Colombia for Naval Site
on the Coast.
PANAMA REFUSED SIMILAR
OFFER OF JAP AMBASSADOR
State Department Has Proposal of
Mikado's Envoy to Panamanian
Minister for Island in Pacific.

Information was forthcoming from an
authoritative source yesterday that Japan
has renewed her attempts to obtain a
footing on the Western Hemisphere.
At the present moment, it was stated
on high authority, Japan is negotiating
with Colombia for the purchase of a site
on her coast.
These negotiations are OF comparative
ly recent origin. 1t is said, following
the failure of Japan to consummate a
similar bargain with the republic of
Panama
Japan approached Panama, according
to the International News Service in
formsnt, through her ambassador to
Spain. who preached the subject last
summer to the Panamanian minister at
Madrid, Antonio Burgos. The negotia-
tons, begun verbally, finished with a
four-page document. written in French,
setting forth the terms on which Japan
would make the purchase.
Immediately Mr.. Burgos got possession
OF this document he left Spain and came
directly to Washington, where he pre-
sented himself at the State Department
and laid before Secretary Of State Bryan
all the evidence, verbal and written,
showing Japan's intentions.
The island named In the document is
Coiba, situated in the Pacific more than
200 miles from the coast OF Panama.
Included in the offer made to Panama
for the island. it is understood, was a
guarantee by Japan that she would pro-
tect Panamas independence.
Visited Minister Here.
DR.. Eusebio Morales, Penaman man
Minister to the United States, recalled
last night the circumstances of the visit
to Washington last summer of Mr..
Burgos. Mr.. Burgos is a very old friend
OF mime he said. But until last sum-
mer he had never been out Of Europe
for great many years
Mr.. Burgos was my guest while he
was IN washington. The reason he gave
for bis presence here was his desire to
show his wife some small part of the
United States. 1t is quite true that Mr.
Bursos paid several visits to the State
Department while he was in Washing
ton. but OF course It was not my bust
ness to inquire into his reasons"
supplementing this statement, an Off
cial of the legation said:
The island of Coiba is UNIQUE. II is
the furthest away from the Isthmus Of
any of the scores Of Islands which belong
to Panama-It Is also nearest the west
coast of the United States than any other
island that belongs to Panama"
If any such negotiations were initi-
ated by Japan I can state positively
that they came to nothing. The re-
public of Panama has no doubt as to
its independence being guaranteed
And 1t has no doubt as to its choice
between the United States and Japan
as guarantee Of its Independence.
Panama Refused All Oners.
The only fact I am at liberty to
state at this time is that Panama has
no intention of granting any conces-
sions of any kind to Japan. For years
there has been attempts by more than
one Japanese Ambassador to the
United States to negotiate CONNER
cial treaty with Panama, but such
treaty is yet to be signed.
Colombia owns no islands In the Pa
cifc and is. OF course, even further
removed from the United States than
Panama. The disadvantages, it was
pointed out last night. are offset, how
ever, by the fact that a stretch or
coastal territory in Colombia would
offer Japan base even better suited
to its needs than a relatively small
island.
The pessimism expressed in dlplo-
matte quarters concerning the Colom-
bian treaty now pending in the Senate
was cited today as a reason why Japan
might possibly find Colombia inclined
to acquiesce in her proposition