Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-23
Baron Ishii, Foreign Minister,
Declares With Emphasis
Charge Is Absurd.
INTEREST IN AMERICA
is ESSENTIALLY PACIFIC
Government Sincerely Hopes Armed
Conflict Between q. S. and Car.
rama May Be Avoided.

any Claim lndt tHe Japanese gov
eminent will assist Mexicans with
munitions and arms is out of the
question, and absurd" said Baron
Ishii, foreign minister, to a cor
respondent of the Associated
Press, who asked him today for
his views on the Mexican situa-
ton. The interview was sought
on account of declarations at
tributed to Mexicans that assur-
ance had been received from
Japan that munitions and other
assistance would be given to
Mexico in event of war with the
United States.
''As for private Japanese companies
selling arms to Mexicans," the foreign
minister continued, Il consider 1t ex-
tremely improbable. AS you know. all
available rifles and guns are being fur-
nished to Japan's allies to assist IN
bringing the European war to sue
cessful issue. And, / fancy, though L
do not know, that munitions not avali.
able for our allies may have fouho
tueir way to China during the revolu-
tionary troubles.
Emphasizes His View.
Let me say this with all the en-
phasis and earnestness at my COM
mand." said the minister. swinging
- he Ia N o n
ton sincerely hopes that armed con-
fict between the United states ana
Mexico may be avoided. Japan's interest
in America, North. Central and South,
being essentially pacific and CONNER
cial. any event bringing disturbance
into the American market would be felt
keenly in Japan. This Is especially true
at a moment when the whole European
trade is virtually closed to japan ana
the Chinese market is seriously upset
Baron Ishii expressed surprise ana
mystification when the. correspondent
referred to Gen. Ramon lturoe, rep
resentative of Gen. Carranza, VINO was
reported several weeks ago to De on MS
way to Japan on a secret mission. the
baron declared he never had heard or
Gen. Iturbe or his projected VISIT. ne
explained that he regarded the Car
rama government as the de facto gov.
ernment of Mexico, and that the usual
relations with Gen. Carranza were
being maintained.
Mexican Minister Arrives.
Japan's interests in Mexico. he said.
were in charge of Secretary Ohta, for
merly attached to the Japanese embas-
sy at Washington. He said he had re-
ceiyed no advices from Secretary Onta
in regard to the present situation. COL
Manuel Romero. recently appointed
minister to Japan by Gen. Carranza,
has reached this country, but has not
had an audience with the emperor, ana
the baron said it was Impossible 20
audience. Any idea that the Japanese
government was interfering in the
Mexican situation. he declared, was as
absurd as the idea that munitions were
being supplied.
an interview with the Associated Press,
asserted emphatically that the Mexican
government had ordered no arms ana
munitions in Japan and that no neeo-
tiations for such supplies were under
Senior Teller said he believed All
available Japanese arms had been sold
to Russia.
Huerta Purchase in 1918.
The last Mexican transaction in
Japan, he continued, was made be-
tween Gen. Huerta and the Mitsui
Company in 1913. 1t called for $4,000
rifles. for which Gen. Huerta advanced
part payment. Only 1900 were de-
livered 10 him and the remainder were
sold to Russia at the outbreak of the
war. A satisfactory financial settle
ment was made by Mdxico in october,
1913. In regard to Gdn. lturbe, Senior
Tellez heard recently that he had gone
to Spain on a military mission.
The report that the general was COM
ing to Japan reached Genor Teller ana
he cabled to his Government ABOUT IL
He was informed in reply that the re-
port was groundlG>s.
AS for Col Romero. Senior Teller said
he arrived in Toxic fortnight ago, an
that he came in the capacity
of Mexican minister and was living at
the Mexican legation. He had visited
Baron Ishii and requested an audience
with the emperor. 1t was he who ne
eotiated the purchase of arms for Gen.
Huerta in 1918.
Where Mexico Gets Munitions.
To a question where Gen. carransa
will obtain munitions. Senior Teller re-
piled:
I'VE make them in Mexico and. like
villa. have imported them from the
United States"
The Oriental Steamship liner seiyo
south American ports, is due at San
Francisco tomorrow and at Salina Cruz.
Mexico, nine days later. Manager
Asano said today that she carried no
AIMS or munitions and that the only
freight shipment to Salina Cruz con-
sisted of two cases of camphor con-
signed to Foo Khing-Tai. Chinaman.
He stated that the steamships of his
line carried no munitions at any time
and would refuse to transport cargo
of them.
The Nippon Yusen Kaisha Japan
Mail Steamship Company inaugurated
Ia at month a service TO New York via
Panama with the steamship Tsushima
Maru Her cargo Of $4,000 tons includes
black lead and copper.
Cargo Consigned to New York.
representative of the Nippon Yusen
Kaisha said:
"rhe cargo of the Tsushima Maru is
to New York. The vessel
,rerely Goals at San Francisco and does
not stop in Mexico. I can say in the
rnost emphatic manner that the Tsu-
china Maru transports no munitions.
Our steamers never carry munitions to
TN. agents of the British steamship
rrdrakuala, which sailed for Boston
Iune 2l by way OF San Francisco, state
that she carries a general cargo. has
a. any Mexican port.
The press makes no mention of Mex
Ian claims that munitions are pro-
-.hi. in Japan but the Nichi Nichi