The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-07-30
JAPANESE
BUYING UP
OIL WELLS
American Interests in Mexico
are Being Gobbled Up
by Oriental Con-
Germs.
Is CRITICAL SITUATION
Senator Phe!an Asks United States to
Protect American Industry
and Prevent
Change.
Is CRITICAL SITUATION
[By Raymond C1apper, United Press

loy ASayALOuu Sidpper, OulLSQ fI6SS
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, July 3O.-Japan is
buying up the oil interests of Ameri-
cans in Mexico who want to leave
their holdings because they feel they
are insufficiently protected, Senator
Phelan, California, declared In an in
terview today.
Phelan made this assertion in urging
this government to take strong
hand to safeguard American rights
south of the Rio Grande.
In view Of the critical oil situation
and establishment of policy by
Great Britain to absorb the oil Of the
world both in the United States and
out, If possible, our government as a
means of natural protection should
take a positive stand in Mexico and
see that American interests are pro
tected in the most emphatic and con-
elusive way" Phelan declared.
Japan is buying claims of discour-
aged Americans in Mexico who do not
hope for any protection. AS soon as
this government vigorously takes an
interest in the matter. Americans in
Mexico would be given renewed en-
couragement and the United States
will be able to make up deficits in its
oil supply.
This is matter of such importance
there should be no delay.
"Phelan's statements follow receipt
Of report from Van H. Manning,
chief of the U. S. bureau of mines and
on investigation Of activity of foreign
governments looking to control Of
world oil fields.
Manning's report while 1t does not
mention Mexico by name declared that
the United States should adopt con-
tinuous, Jealous and effective policy
of protecting the rights, property and
lives of Americans operating in other
countries"
"The department of state has on
more than one occasion made effect
i've repres entations to other govern
ments relative to property rights Of
citizens of the United States" he said.
This alone will do much to en-
courage and give assurance to Ameri-
can nationals to go abroad for n<o-
duction and to protect their rights on
investments in foreign countries"
Those who do not favor American
intervention in Mexico declare that
American oil interests are attempting
to force the government to go into
Mexico to help them in their long fight
against Carranza-
Senator Phe1an also made public
letter. signed jointly by Mark L.
Requa, former director Of the oil di.
vision of the United States fuel ad-
ministration: George Otis Smith, chief
of the U. s. geological survey and
mining, declaring the government
should support big American petrol
cum company organized for world
wide development along the lines Of
the mammoth Royal Dutch Shell COM
pany, said to he partly owned by the
British government.
The letter written confidentially
last February to DR.. III. A. Garfield,
then fuel administrator, stated:
1.-THE United States now commands
the premier position by reason of it's
domestic production. This position Of
our country can and should be safe
guarded and rendered secure by the
government giving moral support to
every proper effort Of American CAPT.
tai to make its circle of activity in oil
production co-extensive with the new
expansion Of American shipping. This
means a worldwide DEVELOPMENT and
petroleum company, financ-
ed with American capital, guided BY
American engineering and supervised
In its international relations by the
United States government In its for
eign expansion American business
needs this governmental partnership
and through it the interests of the pub
lie can best be safeguarded."