The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-03-02
MEXICANS IN JAPAN SEEKING
FRIENDS AND MUNITIONS
FOR CARRANZA
By. Ralph H. Turner
Omitted Press Correspondent

TOXIC, Jan. II. (By MaiD-An in
ternational affair centering around
three Mexicans and their mysterious
movements in attempts to buy amnuni-
ton and arms, has just finished it's
first act in Japan. Today the attention
in diplomatic circles here is directed
toward conjecture as to just what the
Mexicans were at in their mission for
the Carranza government.
The Mexicans' efforts met with sue
cess, but their activities have been so
intent as to arouse daily watchfulaess
on the part Of officials connected with
both the American and British EN-
bassies here, the latter fearing that at
tempts were being made to aid the
Germans.
While future developments are ex-
pected to heighten the sensational char
acter of the Carranza mission, it is now
known as a certainty that the Next
cans, assisted by two japanese, Dutch
adventurer, and a Welshman DISCHARGED
from the British Army for conduct un-
becoming an officer, succeeded in char
tering the Kotchira Maru, a Japanese
vessel of 400 tons. After loading
| cargo, this boat left Yokohoma during
the night of January 4, and proceeded
to Muroran, where it coaled and sailed
direct for Salina Cruz, Mexico.
According to the manifest, the ship
monts consisted Of 403 tons but it is
known that this steamer OF over 1000
tons did not sail direct for Salina Cruz
with a Cargo Of only 400 tons, listed as
machinery. 1t is also known that the
Kotchira N[aru carried twenty seven
) Japanese gun experts
It is believed that the Mexicans,
handicapped in their operations by the
; alortness of the Japanese government,
were offered only inferior material, of
old pattern and lacking in uniformity,
q so the trio finally resolved to add to
their small arms purchase a quantity
), Of machinery for the manufacture of
f guns and ammunition
a pic, B. Vargas and Guitterz Astrega
They arrived in Yokohama November
%. They are all Carranza men. Car
pic was chief of staff under Genera
III Obregon, Carranza s War Minister.
1e The Mexicans had money-all kind
Of it. They had credits issued by New
York banks totaling more than $4,000
= 900 gold. This money is generall
known to haye been deposited in tn
Chartered Bank, the First Bank 0
Japan and the Mitsui Bank In add
"a ton to these credits there is larg
81 sum Of money deposited in a powerf,
ri bank here, the remnant of sum place
M here by General Huerta when tina
s# bandit was supreme across the Ri
81 crande
81 During their stay here the Mexican
d were frequently seen in company wit
s. two smooth well looking. wcll-dresse
q Fiipinos, but while the movements O
q those Filipinos arc being CONSTANT
81 watched, as yet their connection wit
q the Mexicans has not been established
8 The two Japanese aiding the Mex
s. cans were 7. Sudzuki, former principa
q of the Toxic Marine College and N
q Nakashima, who has been active
81 Mexican interests for years. Nakasl
81 ina sailed for Mexico on the Kotochir
III Maru. He lived in Mexico for nearl
81 ten years.
The Mexicans made frequent calls :
or the Mexican legation and were ofte
n seen in the company with Colonel Ror
-. ero, Carranza 8 minister here. The la
~ ter claims however, that his countr
n men only came to Japan in quest
new trade markets for Mexican pro
ucts.