STAND TOGETHER.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14051, 24 May 1911, Page 6

STAND TOGETHER.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SCHEME.

TO RESIST THE ASIATIC ADVANCE.

"ANGLO-SAXON CO-OPERATION."

(FROM OCR OW COKRESrOKDEST.) SAN FRANCISCO, April 19

"Anglo-Saxon co-operation" was the means advocated by Sir Joseph Ward in an interview at New York last Sunday to preserve the lauds of white men on the shores of the Pacific from Asiatic invasion. The interviow wa s telegraphed throughout America, and probably was given world-wide circulation. "In the British oversea Dominions adjacent to the Pacific," he told the newspaperman, "it is recognised that one of the most important questions with which wo have to deal is that of preserving our territory for the British race, and doing every thing in our power to prevent Asiatic immigration to any greai extent. This problem also closely concerns the United States, and in my judgment some well-thought-out plan of Anglo-Saxon co-operation is necessary to preserve all of the countries to which I have alluded from Asiatic invasion. The relations between Great Britain and the United States constitute the real key to. the situation in preserving the peace of the world." It was a timely talk, coming at the height of the discussion on the proposed treaty for universal arbitration between Britain and America, and at a time when rumors were rife that the Japanese had recently made quiet but important moves-with the object of gaining a foothold in Mexico. New Zealand's Premier had probably read of these rumors, and he must have realised that, if true, they conveyed a warning to every white nation on the Pacific circle to watch Japan. If it was trite that a Japanese syndicate had tried to buy 1,500,000 acres fronting on Mag-rla-lena Ba.v. one of the best harbours on the Pacific coast of Central America, there was; plainly reason for white men to seek the real motive. WHERE WILL JAPAN STOP? It will be remembered that at the time President Taft ordered the mobilisation of 200,000. American troops at tho Mexican border, a rumour came i from Washington that Japan was the real cause of this move. Then came the report that Japan had sought to establish a coaling station on Magdalena Bay. These stories are still regarded officially as rumours, but half-authentic confirmation has.conic from so many quarters, that newspaper readers have -been compelled to imagine some real truth underneath 1 . From Taconia, in the north, came the nous that E. P. Savage, former Governor of Nebraska, a member of the syndicate owning the tract, admitted that he had been approached by men "who claimed to be representatives of Japan," with a view to a sale. He said that his syndicate had refused to negotiate with these men on account of tho Monroe Doctrine. From Seattle, also in the north, the Hearst news service brings a report for which no definite authority is quoted, to the effect that an option !on the Jaml liad actually been given to a Japanese syndicate—ostensibly a colonising syndicate simply, without any mission from the Japanese Government. The only thing that prevented the sale, according to this story, was tho opposition of J. Pierpont Morgan, who held a mortgage on the land and who had other plans tor its disposal. A STRANGE STORY. The- strangest stoi" of all comes from Mexico City in a special despatch to the "New York Sun." In brief, it is as follows:—'.''..., ■ Henry L. Wilson, United States Ambassador .to..Mexico, in. the latter.part of February, obtained for a few hours from, the Mexican, archives the.original of a secret treaty between Japan and Mexico. He kept it long enough to have a photograph made of it. Tiiis treaty gave Japan a lease of ajcpaling station and manoeuvre privileges : .\i Magdalena Bay,' with the alternative of a station in somo other port on the western coast. There was diplomatic reference to Japan's keen interest m protecting Mexico against aggression. Ambassador Wilson, it is reported, rushed to Washington with his .newfound information. The whole "story was officially denied at Mexico City and at Washington. Whether there is any truth in these rumours or not, it cannot be doubted, that Japan would jrreatly strengthen her position in .the.Pacifio by the acquisition of a coaling station in Mexico. K-cpcrts declare that tho opening .if tho Panama Canal, giving the American .fleet easy access to the Pacific, will go far toward. breaking the power of Japan, and it follows that Japan's first counter move must needs be to obtain a base of action in some proximity to the canal. . Jt is also a fact .that Japan has a great many more men of fighting age ;n Hawaii, than has America; that she is credited with the ability to take these islands as well as the Philippines and Guam whenever she pleases; and that, of late there has been a large influx of Japanese to Mexico, and also to the French of Tahiti. T\\£ steamer Mariposa on her last voyage from here to Tahiti took many of them airong her passengers. in all these things some r>eople see new evidences, oi yellow peril.