New Britain herald., 1916-06-24
JAPANESE SCARE
 IS CALLED ABSURD
Baron Ishii Says His Country Will
 Not Assist Mexico

l claim that the Japanese government 1 will assist Mexicans with munitions
 and arms is out of the question and absurd" said Baron Ishii, foreign min ister to a correspondent of The As5O- ciated Press, who asked him for his views on the Mexican situation. The interview sought on account of declarations attributed to Mexicans that assurances had been received from Japan that munitions and other assistance would be given to Mexico in the event of war with the United States.
 'As for private Japanese companies selling arms to Mexicans," the foreign minister continued, T consider it ex- tremely improbable. As you know, all available rifles and guns are being furnished to Japan's allies to assist in bringing the European war to a suc- cessful issue. And I fancy, though I do not know, that munitions not available for our allies may have found their way to China during the revolutionary troubles.
 Let me say this with all the en- phasis and earnestness at my com
 mand," said the minister, swinging
 around in his chair. The Japanese nation sincerely hopes that armed conflict between the United States and Mexico may be avoided. Japans in- terest in America, North, Central and South, being essentially pacific and comm ercial, any event bringing dis turbances into the American market would be felt keenly in Japan. This is especially true at moment when the whole European trade is virtually closed to Japan and the Chinese mar llet ia seriously upset"
 Never Heard of General Iturbc. Baron Ishii expressed surprise and mystificatiOn when the correspondent referred to General Ramon Iturbe, a representative of General Carranza,
 who was reported several weeks ago to be on his way to Japan on a secret
 mission. The Baron declared he nev- CT had heard of General Iturbe, or his projected visit. He explained that he regarded the Carranza government as the de facto government of Mexico, and that the usual relations with Gen. eral Carranza were being maintained. Japan s interests in Mexico, he said were under charge of Secretary Ohta, formerly attached to the Japanese enl- bassy at Washington. He said he had received no advices from Secretary Ohta in regard to the present situa- ton. Colonel Manuel Romero. re- gently appointed minister to Japan by General Carranza, has reached this country, but has not had an audience with the emperor and the baron said
 
 would be received in audience. Any idea that the Japanese government
 was interfering in the Mexican situa- ton, he declared was as absurd as
 the idea that munitions were being
 supplied.
 M. c. Te11ez the Mexican charge, in
 an interview, asserted emphaticaIly
 that the Mexican government had or
 dered no arms or munitions in Japan,
 and that no negotiations for such sup
 plies were under way. He was con-
 vinced Francisco Villa was making no
 purchases here, as he had no. agent
 in Mexico and, furthermore, would not
 be able to land munitions on Mexican
 soil because the coast was under the
 control of General Carranza.
 Senor Tellez said he believed all
 available Japanese arms had been sold
 to Russia. The last Mexican trans
 action in Japan, he continued was
 made between General Huerta and the
 Mitsui company in 1913. It called for
 30, 900 rifles, for which General Huerta
 advanced part payment. Only 1000
 were delivered to him and the re-
 mainder was sold to Russia at the be-
 ginning of the war. A satisfactory
 financial settlement was made by
 Mexico in October, 1915.
 Tn regard to General Iturbe, senor
 Tellez heard recently that he had
 gone to Spain on a military mission.
 The report that the general was com
 ing to Japan reached Senor Tellez, and he cabled to his government about it. He was informed in reply that the report was groundless.
 l As for Colonel Romero, Senor Tellez said he arrived in Tol1io a fort night ago, announcing that he came
 in the capacity of Mexican minister,
 and that he was living at the Mexican legation. He had visited Baron Ishii and requested an audience with the Emperor. It was he who nego- tiated the purchase of arms for General Huerta in 1913.
 To a question of where General i Carranza would obtain munitions 1 Senor Tellez replied: 'Wc make 1 them in Mexico, and, like Villa, have l imported them from the United l States.''
 The SeiyC Maru of the Oriental steamship line, which sailed on May i 29 for South American ports, is due at San Francisco today and at Salina l Cruz, Mexico, nine days later. Man i ager Asano said yesterday that she carried no arms or munitions, and