Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-23
MEXICO MUST STOP
| DEAL OF JAPANESE
/ FOR HUGE ACREAGE
State Department Believes
Land Purchase Has
Been Scotched.
SATISFIED HARBOR RIGHTS
WERE OBJECT OF BUYING
Indications Point to the Oricn-
tai Government Being
Involved.
SUSPECT COMMERCIAL WAR
disclosures in Siberia Within Recent
Days Are Considered Clue
to Real Motive.
SATISFIED HARBOR RIGHTS
WERE OBJECT OF BUYING
SUSPECT COMMERCIAL WA
disclosures in Siberia Within Recent
Days Are Considered Clue
to Real Motive.

AsH1NGTON March 22-The re-
ported plan OF the Mexican Land Com
many Of Los Angeles, Cal. to convey
nearly 100000 acres in Lower Cali
'ornsa TO Japanese syndicate in clear
violation OF the principle of the Mon
roc Doctrine. is regarded by State De-
partment officials as ALREADY effectively
scotched, II not actually killed. Mex
'co' it is learned today. II appealed
o. would be Obliged under her own
constitution 10 stop the deal.
1T Is plain. say officials. that the ul-
s ,iraIe object OF the syndicate under
- 10 acquire tracts OF land under tn,
snlsc OF agriculture, but with the true.
,nIeht OF getting harbor rights either
from 'S MnY;an or military purposes
.ahnoi iully carry out her scheme
mnich mas been exposed in Siberia only.
within the last few days. of making
An aggressive commercial war ur.inst
America and Americans unless she hag
some pivot on the Pacific Coast. how
ever, innocently the design may be
CONSTITUTIONAL CLAUSE
II Is not at all doubted here tina,
beforc the agents OF the STATE Dc
,pirtmcnt finish their Investigation. /,
VIII De SHOWN that there is ground
wv btiitI lndt Inc Japanese
"!gate PROJECT goes much beyond the
ambition OF Il few commercial gentle.
men from Japan. In that event the
so'etnmeni OF Mexico. if it does not
act o, lis own accord, would naturally
be advised OF the attitude OF this gov
cfnment and its attention called 10
ITS own constitution.
me law OF Mexico which bears di-
rcctly on the scheme. officin,s said Co
Gay, is found in the twenty seventh
article OF Carrapza's constitution Sec.
tion ], OF which says:
only NcSicans by birth or ua,urat-
ISatlon ana Mexican companies have
Inc right TO acquire ownership IN
lands, waters and their appurtenances
or 10 obtain concessions 10 develop
mines: waters or mineral fuels In the
republic of Mexico. The nations may
Grant the same right to foreigners
partmcnt OF Foreign Affairs 10 be con-
adercd McNlcans In respect TO such
property and accordingly not TO in
ments IN respect to tho same under
penalty, in case OF breach OF forfci-
turc TO the nation Of property so ac-
meters from the frontiers and OF hfty
nilometers from tho sea coast no
foreigner under any conditions may
acquire direct ownership OF land and
water.
Members OF the House of Repre-
Sscntaiives: especially those from The
over the reported effort OF the Jap
ancsc syndicate 10 secure Il foothold in
Lower California. Announcement OF
the state Department that thorough
investigation had been ordered was
read with much interest.
REPRESENTATIVE FLOOD
OPPOSES THE SCHEME
II the affair has not been disposed
OF 10 the entire satisfaction Of the
government before the extra session is
convened. some form Of positive action
by Congress certainly will be pro-
posed.
Representative Henry 4. Flood, OF
Virginia, chairman of the Foreign At
fairs Committee in the last House, to-
day expressed strong opposition to the
proposed settlement Of Japanese on
This continent. lie said:
THE state Department should do all
within its power 10 prevent the settle
men, OF Japanese in Lower California.
whether backed By the Japanese gov
,rnmcnt or not.
II believe they Will find some way
Ia.