Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-14
CHINA TAKES CHANCES
Pushes the Boycott on Japa-
nese Goods.
BOTH SIDES IN EARNEST
Mikado's Subjects Are Deeply Re-
sentful.
SPARK MAY ROUSE FLAME
Said That Another Ship With Con-
traband Arms Is Sailing for
Chinese Waters.

| HONGkOEG. April 13.-The Chinese
government is informed that another Jap
| anese ship loaded with contraband of war
has sailed from Japan to the aid of the
Chinese rebels This is considered grave
news. because 1t is not only in direct viO-
lation of Japans agreement on the set
Ting of the Tatsu Maru incident. but.
taken with the resentment of Japan over
he Chinese, boycott. makes it look as
though the mikados' government were
fishing for an excuse to fight.
Capt. Woo King Wing. who was degrad-
ed on demand of the Wal WI Pu the
foreign board) because he seized the Tatsu
Maru, has been restored to his former
rank and reappointed to the command of
the cruiser Pau Pin
The Canton Self-GOvernment Society
has. decided to join similar organizations
at Shanghai and elsewhere in memorabilia
ing the throne to create Immediately d
national assembly for China.
The anti-Japanese boycott is apparently
gaining strength daily. 1t is certain that
the principal exporters SvmpathlZe with
the boycott movement because the trans
pacific japanese steamship America Maru
steamed for San Francisco last Saturday
carrying only one small shipment of
Chinese goods.
Government Is Helpless.
The bulk of the cargoes Of these
ships usually comes from HongkOng
Chinese When the Chinese exporters
were asked for shipments for his voy-
age by agents of the Japanese steam
ship company the Chinese MERCHANTS
replied that business was slack and
they had nothing to ship In truth.
they are holding their shipments for
ships flying ther flags than japanese
The biggest silk and rice firms have
served notice on all their agents not to
ship goods by Japanese vessels The
Hongkong native bank is making no
remittances through Japanese banks;
The HOngkong dispensaries have agreed
to impose fine of 500 upon any of their
number selling Japanese goods. The fine
is guaranteed by the guild and all fines SO
imposed will he paid into the treasury Of
the National Disgrace Society.
Peaceful demonstrations continue. me
Hongkong government, acting upon Japa-
nese representations, has warned the Chi
nese newspapers there against agltatlng
the boycott. AS a result. the newspapers
have dropped the word boycott. but
dwell more strongly upon national DIS
grace which all Chinese understand.
Hurt Japanese Pride.
With much ceremony prominent
Queens road firm packed its entire stock
OF japanese goods on sampans and sunk
them in the harbor. Two leading firms
of. the Summing district voluntarily
burned their entire stocks of japanese
goods in a public fire. All the principal
Chinese stores In Hongkong have big pla-
cards reading mo Japanese goods sold
or I'VE have never sold Japanese goods.
These placards add to the popular feel
ing against Japan and they DO not con-
travene any law.
There has been no outbreak OF violence
SO far. The boycott has been quietly and
Systematically conducted. Japan continues
to press the Picking authorities to use
force to stop the boycott.
1t is very possible that Japan will rel! sh
some immediate misunderstanding with
China before Japanese goods suffer too
much as a result of the boycott. japanese
merchants realizing that their wares are
to be affected. will not be averse TO IAN
ming into a fame the smoldering embers
between China and her old enemy.
Chance for Rupture.
1t is known that China is now closely
watching Japanese steamers carrying
arms. and that it will be difficult for any
Japanese vessel to land arms in Chinese
waters without being detected An in
vasion of Chinese waters by Japanese
vessel carrying arms Tor China would be
in all probability direct violation of
Japan's agreement with China when the
Tatsu Maru incident was closed. japan
then promised to supervise all Japanese
arms going into China.
However, 1t is pointed out that if China
restores Capt. Woo King Ying and re-
appoints him in command of the cruiser
Paupir this may readily be considered a
breach of China's bargain, so that the
late agreement between China and Japan
may be practically nullified before the
ink is dry on the official signatures,