Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-04-01
US. ASKS REPORT
ON IAPAN'S DEAL
IN CALIFORNIA
State Department Calls on
American Embassy at
Mexico City for Full Infor-
nation on Transaction
(Bx 1AsE-n1NuEE TELEGRAPH

(BZ LAST-M1NUTE TELEGRAPN)
WASHINGTON, March 31.-The
state department today asked the
American embassy at Mexico City
for full report on the alleged
Mexican concession of land in Lower
California to Japanese interests.
In making this announcement, the
department added it had no official
word from Mexico on the reported
concession, was unable to determine
as yet whether the land was the
same as that to be sold two weeks
ago by the California and Mexican
Land company to Japanese interests,
whether the concession had actually
been made or report of it merely
sent out as a "feeler."
Mexican Ambassador Bonillas has
no advices regarding the reported
negotiations, but has asked Mexico
City for information.
1t is known here that the MeXi-
can view is that the transfer of
property to Japanese citizens or
companies is not in violation of the
Monroe doctrine. The Mexicans
point to the increa sing Japanese in
IGISSL III al oOulu American west
coast countries and particularly to
the recently announced Brazilian
concession to Japan, as grounds for
such action.
Ishii Declines to Talk
Japanese Ambassador Ishii de-
clined to discuss the reported deal
The Japanese, it is learned in dip
lomatic quarters, hold that the Japa-
nese transactions in Latin America
are purely commercial and can be
given no political significance.
Only the lingo press can see
trouble in commercial relations Of
Japan in the Americas" one Japa-
nese diplomat said today.
Reports to the state department
on the recent clash between Ameri-
can and Japanese soldiers at Tien
Tsin Indicated it was brawl orig
mating in an immoral house in the
Japanese concession. A fight occur
red there between two American SOL
diers and two japanese. The next
day larger clash developed be-
tween American and Japanese SOL
diers in the French concession, but
officials have not been able to de-
termine whether the second disturb
ance was result of the original
fight.
The state department declared to-
day that it has heard nothing from
the California and Mexican Land
company, of Los Angeles since it
virtually warned that company
against selling Lower California land
to the Japanese two weeks ago.
Should sale Of this land be con-
summated, despite the state depart
ment warning, it was not stated what
recourse would be taken. Whether
anything other than moral force
would be eXerted is a problem not ia
presente contemplated, it was indicat-
ed today.
The department apparently has no
fear on that score and points out that
TWO years ago when the California
and Mexican Land company was
about to give a long 1term lease to a
Japanese syndicate, the deal was
called off Immediately upon protest of
the department.
While probably purely coincident-
al, nevertheless matters of irritation
between the United States and Japa-
nese governments are beginning 10
accumulate.
Issues involving marked differ
ences of viewpoint on the part of
the respective nations now include:
Points of Friction
THE question of race equality
before the peace conference in Paris.
2-The Tien Tsin clash between
American soldiers and Japanese.
1.-The question Of American CO.
operation with the Japanese in 81
IBERIA against real and alleged Boil
SheYist factions.