The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-04-01
MEXICAN LAND
FOR JAPANESE
Excitement Labeled as Jingo
Attempts to Create III Feel
ing Between Two
Nations.
MAY BE UNIMPORTANT
While Awaiting Official Word, SONG
Officials Become Greatly Work. M
ed Up Over the
Question.
MAY BE UNIMPoRTANT
UNITED Press Leased Wire sery


awaiting official word from Mexis
garding the reported land conc
in lower California to Japanese
terests, diplomats, officials and mem
hers of congress today discussed the
situation at length.
Mexican and Japanese diplomats
continued to minimize the importance
OF the alleged movements of Japanese
interests, while members of congress
saw in the action serious danger. Some
of the latter who are opposing the
proposed league of nations say that
the situation proves conclusively the
necessity of adhering to the Monroe
doctrine in whatever league may be
,, formed.
Mexican Ambassador Bonillas, in an
interview with the United Press today
labelled the lingo attempts" to create
ill-feeling between the United States
and Mexico through the Japanese
bugaboo" as groundless and malicious.
Regarding the report that Mexican
!, land is being confiscated by the gov
ernment and sold to the Japanese,
! Bonillas said:
1.-THE exploitation Of lands in Mexico
by Japan can only be effected through
lengthy official procedure after its
owners have refused to make a sale.
"The negotiations would go through
local, state and federal channels and
would become publicly known. Much
American land in Lower California has
been much untenanted by its owners
in the past few years Permission to
till all vacant lands has been given
residents of the state by executive
order This order in no way affects
the title or ownership to the land.
but some evidently believe that it
means confiscation The Mexican en-
bassv has received no confirmation OF
the Mexico City announcement of ne
gotiations of Japanese corn corpora
tons for agricultural concessions In
Lower California"
Ambassador Bonillas says there is no
menace to the Monroe doctrine or de-
fiance to the United States in such
proposals. He pointed out that the
Mexican constitution permits Japanese
immigrants to become citizens and
own property as do all the other Latin
American republics.
AS showing how groundless fears of
Japanese fQothold in lower Califor-
mia may be, he recalled the Magdalena
Bay incident in which Japan was re-
ported to have attempted to obtain
coaling station in Mexican Pacific
waters. This report he declared had
no other basis in fact than the en-
ployment of Japanese fishermen by a
Mexican fishing corporation.
Meantime senate league Of nations
opponents today declared If the new
meager reports that these sales or
concessions are actually granted or
under way, are borne out, the fact
will be used as one Of the main argu-
ments against the league of nations
covenant as submitted by President
Wilson.
Senators were. wary about COM
Imenting for direct quotation pointing
out that news from Mexico in the past
has often proven uncertain on closer
investigation. The argument that is
tentatively prepared, however, runs
along the lines that the Monroe doc
trine as now in existence is the only
sure way of combating such "peace-
full aggressions," on the American
continent.
Under international law Senator
Borah, of Idaho, pointed out Japanese
have right to buy and Mexico has a
right to sell lands in Lower California
or anywhere else in Mexico.
Under the league Of nations cove
nant he added any complaint OF the
United States would have to go to
the leagues executive council or
whatever body was set up to decide
disputes and without the special res
ervation of the Monroe doctrine there
would be absolutely nothing to pre-
vent the council deciding adversely
to us.
Situation Looks Brighter.
LOS ANGELES, Calf, April l.
Announcement by President Harry
Chandler, of the California Mexican
Land and Cattle Company that his
company's 500, 900 acres of Lower Cali
fornia land will not be sold to jap
anese interests without the approval
of the state department. was looked
upon here today as somewhat clarity
ing the situation caused by reports