Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-02
GOMEZ
AND BARON OTORI
REPLY TO u. S.
Mexican Minister and Japan
ese Ambassador Deny Grant
of Lands in California

Mexico City. April 2.-salvador
Gomez, chief of staff of the depart
ment of agriculture and develop
ment, officially denied last night re-,
ports that Japanese subjects have
bought lands in Lower California.
His statement was issued on behalf
of the department in the absence of
Pastor Rouaix, the secretary OF COM
merce, labor and agriculture. 1t
reads as follows:
"I can say that up to the present
there has been no sale of lands in
Lower California to Japanese sub
jects; neither has the department
of development authorized anything
giving foreigners rights to large eX-
tensions of lands in that section.
Constitution Forbids
Moreover, since our constitution
prohibits the sale of national lands.
this department, in accord with
President Carranza, is giving special
attention to all matters referring to
Lower California. Concessions of ter
ritory in that part of the republic
which have been authorized, have
been for n reduced number of hec-
tares, and to residents of various
small villages of that territory, fol-
lowing the policy of creating small
land holdings with the object OF ia
voring the natives"
Baron Fugitaro Otori. Japanese
minister to Mexico, tonight issued
the following statement regarding
the discussion over alleged attempts
by Japanese to purchase lands in
Lower California:
Jan Sees Politics in Move
"A tempest in a tea pot has been
created and I think the importance
the American press has given this
question is due to some political
Vancouver. caused by the nearness
of the next presidential campaign. 1t
may he declared that there are no
concessions in Lower California that
frvor the interests of my country.
Only near the town of Mexicali ex-
lists a small Japanese agricultural
colony that cultivates rice but this
is absolutely lacking in importance.
Forecasts Yankee Answer
The only paying exploitation that
can be made in that part of Mexico
IS for the development OF mineral
deposits. and this is bevond the mod
est resources OF the only Japanese
colony located in that region. I am
sure that If the American Depart
ment of State has asked its embassy
here for information. the embassy
must declare that there are no con.
cessions in Lower California favor
ing Japanese interests"
Miss Emmeline Kennedy and her
small brother, George D. Kennedy.
are visiting relatives here on the
way home to Baltimore from Phila-
delphia and New York
Mrs. Edgar Lawrence and twin
sons. Harold Lawrence and Anson
Lawrence. of jersey City, are guests
of Mr.. and Mrs. David Carlisle, of
Green street, for a fortnight.
Mrs. Arthur Ball and Mrs. Rich
ard V. Ball, of Pittsburgh, are stop
ping for while with their relatives,
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel c. Irwin, of
Penn street.
Mrs. Henry B. Bent and son, Jack
Bent, are guests of Major and Mrs.
Carl Brandes Ely in Washington.
Mr.. and Mrs. John c. Jessup, Jr..
have moved from 2002 North Third
street, to 1901 North Front street.
formerly occupied by the Visiting
Nurse Association.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arch c. Millar and
family removed to-day to their new
home, $3.50 North Second street,
from Second and Emerald streets, |
recently purchased by J. Grant
Schwarz, who will occupy it this
week.