El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-23
JAPAN WILL NOT
ASSIST MEXICO
Foreign Minister Declares
With Emphasis That Very
Suggestion Is Absurd.

Toxic. Japan, June 23.-"Of course
any claim that the japanese govern
1aent w.il assist Mexicans with NUM-
tons and arms is out Of the question
and absurd" said baron Ishii, foreign
minister, to a correspondent of the
Associated Press, who asked him to-
day for his views on the Mexican sit
uation.
The interview vas sought on &C
count Of the declaration attributed to
Mexfcans that assurances had been re-
ceived from Japan that munitions and
other assistance would be given Mexico
IN event OF war with the United states
las for private Japanese companle
selling arms to Mexico" the foreign
minister continued. I consider IL 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 sue
cessful issue. Ana / fancy, though L
do not know. that munitions now
available for our allies may have found
their way to China during the revOlu-
tionary troubles.
Japan Wants Pence.
let Ine say this with all the en-
mand," said the minister, swinging
around in his chair, the japanese ma
ton sincerely hopes that armed con-
flict etween the United States and
Mexico may be aTerted- Japan's in
terestI in America, North, Central and
South, being essentially pacific and
commercial, any event bringing dis
t~urbances in the American market
would be felt keenly in Japan This
IS especially true at a moment when
the whole European trade is virtually
closed 70 japan and the Chinese market
is seriously upset"
Never Heard Of Trouble.
Baron Ishii declared he had never
heard OF Gen Ramon Iturbe, a repre-
---~AaH-a - Cen EaEwnnIa whh w~1E
reported several days ago to be IN his
way to Japan on a secret mission
Japan's interest in Mexico he said,
was in charge Of secretary Ohta, for
merIy attache TO the japanese en-
bassy at Washington He said he had
received no advices from secretary
Ohta in regard TO the present situa-
ton. Col Manuel Romero, recently
appointed minister TO Japan by Gen.
Carranza, has reached this country,
but has not had al audience with the
emperor
Long rains Of empty freight cars
which appeared in the railroad yards
across the line this morning were AIKEN
as confirmation Of the report that
Mexican troops from Magdaiena were
being detrained near the border
Many wager loads OF flour and other
foOdstuff were taken across the bOrer
this morning, bought from local houses
The Mexican consulate announced thai
the embargo had been lifted at his re-
quest and that the foodstuff is for
civilians at M~agdalena-
Denies Mexico Ordered Munitions.
N c Telles. the Mexican charge, in
an interview, asserted emphatically
that the Mexican government had Or
dered no munitions or arms in apa
and that no negotiations for such sup ]
plies were under way.
The last Mexican transaction in ia
pan, he continued. was between Gen. 4
Huerta and the Mitsui company in 1913. /
In regard 20 Gen Iturbe. senior Teller
heard recently that he had gone TO Spain
on a military mission The report that
the general was coming to Japan was j
g~roundless. he said
AS for Col Romero. senior Teller said J
he had arrived in Toxic a fortnight ago I
announcing that he came in the capaci-
ty Of Mexican minister. It was Col. I
Romero who negotiated the purchase OF 4
arms for Gen Huerta in 1913