The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-22
Demands Explanation
From Land Owners
Reported Proposal to Sell 500, 900
Acres in Mexico Fronting on Cali
fornia Border to Jap Syndicate
Brings Quick Action on Part of
State Department.

6tatG DG4ssAStIs5nt-
Washington. March af.--The
state department today demanded
oil the California and Mexican
Land Company. OF Los Angeles,
Calf, u full explanation of its re-
ported proposal to sell to Ja-
panese syndicate 100000 acres of
Land in Mexico fronting upon tho
California border.
Attention of the land company was
called to two senate documents whica
carry warnings to foreign govern
rnents against making land purchase
on this continent These documents
are entitled Lands on Magdalena
Bay and Purchase of land on Mag
dalena Bay They were adopted by
the senate at the time OF the Mad
daiena affair.
Several additional kilograms from
further information on the plan to al
low Japan a foothold in lower Call
fornia. have been received by the state
department. This information, with
other adydces the department has,
confirms the departments belief that
acquisition OF the large track Of Ian
in Mexico by japanese interests would
be a plain violation OF the Monroe
Doctrine There ia no longer any
doubt that contamination of the
scheme would also be in contraven-
ton of the Lodge resolution setting
forth the policy OF the senate with re-
gard TO foreign colonization in the
Americas.
ORDER THOROUGH PROBE
Representatives of the state depart
ment had been ordered to make a
thorough Investigation OF the proposed
deal. The department ~ chiefly con-
cerned over. the question of whether
or not Tie Japanese government il
back of the syndicate. Should IL ap-
pear however that there Is no visible
connection between the Japanese
government and the syndicate, II is
certain that contamination of the
transaction will not be permitted.
The state departments determined
action to avert the serious situation
which would arise from completion Of
the purchase is based on the Lodge
resolution which was ratified by the
senate August 2. 1912. 1t follows:
Resolved, that when any harbor
or other place In the American con-
tinent is so situated that the occnpa-
ton thereof for naval or military pur-
poses might threaten the communica-
tons or the safety OF the United
States. the government of the United
States could not SEQ, without grave
concern, .the possession of such har-
Dor or other place by any corporation
or association which has such rela-
ton to another government not
American, as to give that govern
for naval or military purposes
ESTATE OF GENERAL OTIS.
The holdings which are involved In
tho deal are owned by the estate Of
General Harrison Gray Otis. late
owner Of the Los Angeles Times. and
his son-in-iaw. Harry Chandler. The
land was acquired a number Of years
ago and consists Of one million acres
in all. a portion of which lis on the
California side Of the Colorado river
and the balance on the Mexican side.
1t Is the 500, acres on the Mexican
side which 1t Is said the owners 1T
the land company are willing to sell
to, Japenese interests.
Among senator's who are familiar
with Pacific coast affairs and with the
Japanese ambitions with respect to
gaining a foothold on this continent,
the revelations OF the projected sale
Of lands aroused great resentment
They expressed surprise not only that
Japan should seek to establish a
colony on Mexican soil in defiance OF
the plain language OF the Lodge reso-
luton and the Monroe Doctrine, but
that American citizens should be will
Mexico, for such a purpose.
Senator Poindexter, OF Washington.
who win be chairman Of the naval at
fairs committee In the next senate,
was particularly interested because IA
chairman Of that committee. he will
Jurisdiction over all measures for
the Improvement Of American naval
bases He looks upon. American in
terests with a Jealous eye and Is ex-
fraouaiv hostile IN aNv nrONONal that
might lead to the establishment Of =
naval or military base on this con-
|. tinent by any power,
Violation Monroe Doctrine.
The senator said today:
''As far as ! have been abie to
Judge, the proposed acquisition of
land by Japanese in Mexico would be
distinct violation Of the spirit Of
the Monroe Doctrine. 7 cannot I'M
derstand why American citizens
| shodid be willing to sen land to ia
II