The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-09
BLAINE'S PLAN FOR
 LOWER CALIFORNIA
By HOLLAND.


 he was serving as Secretary of State in the administration of President Garfield, then no occasion would have arisen for the introduction day or two ago of resolution by Senator Ashhurst of Ari- zona in the Senate which, if adopted, will prepare the way for the purchase by the United States of lower California and possibly part of the State of Sono- ra in northern Mexico.
 Mir. Blaine concentrated 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, if Mexico would sell the peninsular of lower California. He made no statement for the public to read of his purposes respecting lower Cali fornia- He did, however, in private and ccBfidentially say that while that penin- suta was of no great value, political Of economic, to Mexico, it would be of great value to the United States both from the point Of view of international pol- tics and also for the opportunity which would open for important mining exploi. tation and also for increasing our Pa. CHIC Hldrlne service.
 MT Blaine said privately that he was already in communication with an abls man who knew well the resources of lower California, was familiar with it's harborS and who also was in close touch with the Mexican authorities This man informed MT. Blaine that some of the re- sources were wonderfully rich, excellent harbors were upon both the Pacific and the Gulf of California coasts and that the nn %f th4 highly advantageous to the United States He continued to say, however, that the great difficulty in carrying negotiations U successful conclusion was the dom- nant passion of the Mexican people for retaining all the territory over which the sovereignty of the Mexican republic was maintained It was his opinion that no amount of money would persuade Mexico to part with lower California all though the peninsula was of little value to Mexico, excepting that which repre- serted her sentimental interest in the territory.
 However, MT Blaine instructed this man to begin tentative negotiations, for Blaine believed that Mexico could be successfully approached and be tempted, not merely by the amount of money which was offered but by other consid- erations, to part with the peninsula. Me- gotiations of this kind were just under way when MT. Blaine retired from the state department and was succeeded by MT Frelinghuysen of New Jersey The new secretary appeared to take no inter- est in Blaines project, if, in fact, any lntimation was given to him respecting It Therefore the negotiations were dropped And never again was the pro- ject considered until the senator from Arizona introduced his resolutions which II adopted will authorize the President to enter into negotiations for the pur- pose of acquiring lower California.
 Undoubtedly one of the reasons which Senator Ashhurst frankly gave in the for nal discussion in the Senate which fol- lowed the introduction of the resolution was also one which MT Blaine. when Secretary of State, had in mind. For the senator privately asserted that if we ac- quire lower California then it would not be possible for Japan to secure Mazda lene bay. Blaine caused a careful study to be made of the mineral and other resources in lower California and he him. self gave some time to an investigation into this matter. He felt justified, there fore, in saying privately that the natu- ral resources of lower California were much greater and much richer than the United States or even Mexico was aware of
 After the United States paid Mexico,
 
 $l5, 000000 for California and a part of Arizona and New. Mexico, regret was expressed that in the terms for the trans ferring of this great lower territory low CT California was not included. The req son for this omission was never given to the public, if, in fact, there was any reasons. The suspicion used to be en- tertained that lower California was over looked because both the United States a of existence and if they did recognize the peninsula while studying the map they did not deem it of any value.
 POINTING TO SOUTH AMERICA
 Naturally enough in the world of fi- nance and of industrial activity the un- derwriting of an issue of $25, 100000 Of bonds for the Anaconda Copper Mining company, has been one of the principal topics since the first of the year. That New York bankers, one group representa- tive of the largest trust institution in the world and the other of a corporation allied with the greatest of American banks. should have willingly, apparently gladly, at this time underwrtten this proposition is of itself excellent evidence of the high credit which the company has secured as well a belief in it's continued prosperity. It is also a tribute to John D. Ryan, who almost immediate " after his service for the government was ended, puts forth a proposition of this kind at a time when the presump- ton has been that it is important to conserve credit and to move cautiously when financing upon great scale is under consideration.
 In Europe this transaction is sure to attract attention, partly because the company produces more copper and also more silver every year than any other corporation engaged in like industry does.
 But to American industry and to those far-seeing industrial leaders who are now locking ahead so that our prosperity may be maintained and increased and who are also giving special heed to opportunities for investment of American capital in South America this successful under writing of s25. .000, GOO of Anaconda Copper company's bonds will be very gratifying For MT. Ryan, in explanation of the req son why financing of this kind is worth while, states that the funds which will be obtained by the marketing of these bonds are to be used for the equipment of certain copper properties in South America which the Anaconda company owns.
 Apparently now that the war is ended and American industrial leaders can turn their thoughts in new directions, the pre- diction made some years ago that Amer ican capital amounting in all to many millions would be invested in South American copper properties is about to be fulfilled. Already two very rich cop per properties, one in Chil and one in Peru. are controlled and operated by American capital Three or four years ouo DauieI Jackling with few