The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-21
Jap Syndicate Is After
100000 Acres on Cali
fornia Border.
FOR COLONIZATION
Acquisition Would Vic
late Monroe Doctrine.
United States MAY
Protest.

Washington, March 20.--NegotiA-
lions said to have been undertaken by
the California and Mexican Land
company to sell to Japanese syndi-
cate 100000 acres of land in Mexico
fronting upon the California border.
have been ordered investigated by the
state department.
The information concerning the
proposed deal which is in possession
Of thte department indicates that the
sale of the land would be a distinct
violation of the Monroe Doctrine. It
would also be in contravention of the
Lodge resolution which the senate
adopted two years ago. This resolu-
ton. although it does not have the
force Of statute, warns foreign gov
ernments against making purchases of
land on this continent.
The facts in the case were sent to
the state department from California
by Senator James d. Pbelan, who rep
resented to the department that the
deal was practically concluded and
that tine Japanese syndicate had been
organized to take over the land for
colonization purposes. The senator
requested the state department TO
take immediate steps 10 prevent the
deal from being contaminated.
Acting Secretary Polk received Sem
ator Pheian's protest today and at
once telegraphed to the senator to
the effect that an investigation viii
he made at once. II was announced
at the state department that the gov
eminent will 90 to the bottom of the
matter and will ascertain If there is
any connection between the syndicate
and the government OF Japan.
II il should be established that the
japanese government is in any way
associated with the syndicate. the duty
of the United states in the matter
swould plainly be to register a formal
protest through diplomatic channels
against the acquisition of the land.
INQUIRY GO DEEP.
In view of the friendly relations. as
stated by Senator Pheian, that exist
betwe cen Japan and the United States.
there is no disposition on the part of
government officials TO make COM
ment on the facts disclosed by Sem
ator Phelan. One official. however.
said that it was absolutely certain
that because of the existence of the
Lodge resolution. the inquiry by the
government wcszla &c very deep and
would probably involve investigation
in Japan This latter step would be
necessary to ascertain whether the
Japanese syndicate had any govern
ment sanction.
1t is believed that in view of the
wide discussion of the rights OF foreign
syudicates at the tirse of the Magda-
lena affair. which provoked the Lodge
resolution. a Japanese syndicate would
/ not attempt to force deal which was
barred by the resolution. 1t was a
matter OF surprise to officials that
either American or Japanese interests
should have so soon forgotten the at
titude of all political parties against
| foreign colonization schemes.
| There is one consideration, how
ever. which was discussed by officials
| to the effect that II Japan, as is sus-
pected. Is behind the scheme. she can
sonly deal in three ways:
| First, she can challenge the Mon
roe Doctrine and the Lodge resolution
as affecting her citizens in Mexico
| Second. she can answer the United
States that IL there be question al
all for international discussion 1t must
be between Mexico and Japan.
| May Not Admit Right.
! Third. Japan may not admit the
fright OF the United States to take Is
/ sue with its citizens who own land In
Mexico to sell to japanese citizens and
| il the deal is to he broken off it must
/ be by mandate OF the United States "a
her own citizens to abide by the Mon
ROE Doctrine and the Lodge rcsolu-
ton.
! 1t is generally believed that 1t will
be shown ultimately that the syndicate
In operating for some branch or the
Japanese government. Japan has
sought for at least twenty years har-
( Dor concession by private syndicates
somewhere on the Mexican or Lower
Californian coast Developments al
this moment in the Far East lend
great color to the belief that IL Japan
! il to carry out schemes which II Is
known she entertains. she must find q
port. OF her own on the coast north oil
the Papana canal.
/ It is thought, under these circuni-
| stances. that IL it be shown that tbs
Japanese government Is interested In
| the present deal directly or remotely
she will take new attitude and ar
i que that times have changed since the
passage Of the Lodge resolution which
| was drasticaily opposed to even ths
/ most indirect subterfuge to concca
! colonization.
Another important phase of thu
situation is not overlooked here In ths
event that Japan takes new grounc
! and stands by her syndicate. It Il
/ doubtful IL Carranxa would permit tht
j transfer OF large section OF land will
| full title or even under long lease Il
a foreign organization whose occupa'
ton OF the lands would be contrar,
to the Monroe Doctrine