The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-04-03
State Department Starts Probe
OF Purchase In Lower Cali
fornia-Causes Of Irritation
With Japan Accumulate.
BY United Press.

""PaHeSS interests ana Qlu no. know
whether the concession had actually
oeen made or report of it merely sent
out as a 'feeler."
Mexican Ambassador Bonillas has
no advices regarding the reported ne
EQUATIONS. but has asked Mexico City
Tor information. 1t Is known here that
the Mexican 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 increasing Japanese interest in
all South American west coast coun-
tries, and particularly to the recent an
nounced Brazilian concession to Japan,
as grounds for such action.
Refuse Discussion.
Japanese Ambassador Ishii declined
to discuss the reported deal. The Jap
anese. it is learned in diplomatic uar
tiers, hold hat the Japanese transac-
tions in Latin-America are purely COM
mercial and can be given no political
Significance.
only the lingo press can see trouble
in commercial relations Of Japan and
the Americas one Japanese diplomat
said today.
The state department declared today
that it has heard nothing from the
California & Mexican Land Company,
of Los Angeles. since it virtually
warned that company against selling
Lower California land to the Japanese
two weeks ago..
Course Not Clear.
Should sale of this land be consum-
mated, despite the state department
warning, it was not stated what re-
course would be taken. Whether any
thing other than moral force would be
exerted is a problem not at present
contemplated, 1t was indicated today.
The department apparently has no
fear on that score and points out that
two years ago, when the California &
Mexican Land Company was about to
give a long term lease to a Japanese
syndicate, the lea was called off i'm
mediately upon protest of the depart
ment.
Disputes Multiply.
While probably purely coincidental,
nevertheless matters Of i~rration be-
tween the United States and Japanese
governments are beginning to accu-
mulate
Issues involving marked difference in
viewpoint on the part of the respective
nations now include:
1. The question of race equality be-
fore the peace conference in Paris.
2. The Tien Tsin clash between
American soldiers and Japanese.
8. The question of American CO.
operation with the japanese in Siberia
against real and alleged bo!shevist fac
tons.
a. Efforts of Japanese to get a foot
hold in lower California.
"Showdown imminent
The situation as regards the Jap
anese claims for race equality as an
article Of the league Of nations is
clothed in secrecy at Paris but is con-
spicuous for the silence surrounding it
there and the fireworks attending the
issue both in the United States and
Japan. The two other issues are grow
ing more and more prominent and
there is likelihood of a shoWdown-tn
friendly diplomatic fashion-on all
three.
Mexico Jusnps In.
Mexico has suddenly injected her
self into the situation. according to
advices here, by granting concessions
to a Japanese corn corporation to eX-
plot agriculture lands in Lower Cali
fornia. The land in question is under
stood to be the property, by concession
in 1884, Of the Mexican and Com
pany. But the Mexican government
saws this concession is now void and
the property belongs to the govern
ment. The state department started
it's inquiry into the reported deal to-
day. Two weeks ago. when 1t was re-
ported that japanese interests were
trying to acquire a tract of land in
T uta TaIifnrpia from the California
& Mexican land Company, of Los
geles. the state department indicated
such a purchase by thu japanese would
not he viewed without concern. and
this was taken to be friendly notice to
Mexican and Japanese interests. BY
forwarding and publishing the Senate
resolution Of 1912. opposing the sale Of
any property by Americans to any ma
ton which might use the property as
a base from which to attack the United
States, the state department Is believed
to have acted not merely to keep clear
the skirts of American citizens.
This government Is trusting to he
moderation and good Judgment or the
present Japanese ministry to prevent
n stralning OF existing amicable re-
lations. It can be stated authoritatively
today.
Jap Jingoes Busy.
Meantime the lingo press Of Japan,
a few headstrong military leaders and
other extremists outside the Toxic gov
eminent have tried to magnify n
stimulate some little friction. particu-
Early in Siberia. Cable dispatches to-
day reported the Japanese war min
lister, announced In the diet that Amer
lean troops in Siberia had refused TO
fight with the Japanese against the
b~oishevlsts. owing TO an apparent dlr-
ference In the respective Yankee n
Japanese viewpoint as to what consti-
tI.ed n boisheylst.
This difficulty. not regarded as Sc
rious here. is understood 10 nave rs
Inception Ia the refusal OF Gensrai