The Washington herald., 1919-01-09
BLAINE EAGER
TO BUY STRIP
Value of Lower California
to United States Ex-
planned by Holland.

fuIfu a purpose which he had in mind
when he was serving as Secretary OF
State in the administration OF Presi-
dent Garfield then no occasion would
have arisen for the Introduction a DAY
or two ago of a resolution by Senator
Ashurst. Of Arizona, in the Senate
which, il adopted. will prepare the
way for the purchase by the United
States of Lower California, and pos
sibly a part of the State of Sonora IN
Northern Mexico. Mr.. Blaine concen-
trated much of his thought and energy
in the nine months when he served as
Secretary of State not only upon our
relations with Peru but also upon the
proposition that the United States buy.
n Mexico would sell. the peninsula OF
Lower California. He made no state
inent for the public to read of his pur-
poses respecting Lower California. He
did, however, in private and cont1den-
italy. say that while that peninsula
was Of no value, political or economic.
10 Mexico it would be of great value
to the United States both from the
point of view of international politics,
and also for the opportunity which
would open for important mining ex-
ploitation and also for increasing our
Pacific marine service.
Rich in Resources.
Mr.. Blaine said privately that he
was already in communication with
an able man who knew well the re-
sources of Lower California, was IA
miliar with its harbors and who also
was in close touch with the Mexican
authorities. This man informed Mr..
Blaine that some of the resources
we're wonderfully rich, excellent har-
bors were upon both the Pacific and
the Gulf Of California coasts and that
the possession Of the peninsula would
be highly advantageous to the United
States. He continued to say, how
ever, that the great difficulty in car
Iying negotiations to a successful
conclusion, was the dominant passion
% the Mexican people for retaining
all the territory over which the SOW
erignty OF the Mexican republic was
maintained. II was his opinion that
no amount Of money would persuade
Mexico to part with Lower California
although the peninsula was Of little
value to Mexico, excepting that which
represented her sentimental interest
in the territory.
Negotiations Once Begun.
However. Mr.. Blaine instructed this
man to begin tentative negotiations,
for Blaine believed that Mexico coulu
be successfully approached and be
tempted, not merely by the amount
OF money which was offered, but by
other considerations. to part with the
peninsula. Negotiations of this kind
were just under way when Mr.. Blaine
retired from the State Department
nj
huysen, Of New Jersey The new Sec
retary appeared to take no interest
in Blaine's project, if. in fact. any
IntimatiOn were given to him respect
ing IT, Therefore. the negotiations
were dropped. And never again was
the subject considered until the SEN
ator from Arizona introduced his res
oiuuons which. if adopted. will au-
thorize the President to enter negotia-
tiOns for the purpose Of acquiring
lower California.
shut Out Japan.
Undoubtedly one of the reasons
which Senator AshUrst frankly gave
in the formal discussion in the Sem
ate which followed the Introduction
Of the resolution was also one which
Mr.. Blaine when Secretary of State
had in mind. For the Senator pri-
vately asserted that if We acquired
lower California it would not be
possible for Japan to secure Magda-
lena Bay. Blaine caused a careful
study to be made Of the mineral and
other resources in lower California
and he himself gave some time to
an investigation into this matter.
He felt justified therefore in saying
privately that the natural resources
OF lower California were much
greater and much richer than the
United States or even MAxico was
aware OF.
After the United States paid Mex
irD. in the administration of Prrsi-
dent Polk. $4,000. 900 for California.
Nevada. Utah. and part of Arizona.
Colorado. and New Mexico. regret
was expressed that in the terms for
the transferring Of this great terri
tory Lower California was not in
cmded. The reason for this Omis-
zion was never given to the public.
II, in fact, there were any reasons.
The suspicion used to be entertain
I'd that Lower California was over
lObked because both the United
states and Mexico were scarcely
care OF its existence. and If they
did recognize the peninsula while
Studying the map they did not deem
it Of any value.
E Pointing TO south America.
Naturally enough in the world Of
finance and Of industrial activity the
underwriting of an issue OF s25, 600, OOO
Of ibonds for the Anaconda Copper
Mining Company. has been one of the
principal topics since the first Of the
yeaF That New York bankers. one
group representative of the largest
trtist institution in the world and the
Othar OF a corporation allied with the
greatest Of American banks should
have willingly. apparently gladly at
this time underwritten this PROPOSE
tidti' is of itself excellent evidence Of
thsBhigh credit which the company
ha& secured as well as a belief in its
COhfinued prosperity. It is also a
trIhhte to John d. Ryan, who almost
immediately after his service for the
government was ended, puts forth a
proposition OF this kind and at a time
when the presumption has been that
il = important to conserve credit and
move cautiously when financing upon
great scale is under consideration.
south American Investments.
In Europe this transaction is sure
tOs attTact attention. partly because
fIra cOnnpnv- prp1ncpg moro conner