Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-03-09
JAPANESE SQUADRON
GOES TO CANTON
China Is Torn Between Fear OF
War Which Will Break Up En-
pire and National PRIDE
Hostility May Only be
Postponed.

Toxic, March g.-Cablegrams re-
ceived here state that the viceroy of
Canton mas resigned over the steam
ship Tatsu incident. This is taken to
indicate that the dispute between
China and japan has reached a
critical stage. China Is willing to re-
lease the steamer and retain possess
sion of the munitions of war which
were seized, but Japan wants all or
nothing. and has so stated. The vice.
roy of Kwangtugn refuses to give up
the ship or anything else, notwith-
standing instructions from Pekin.
1t is said that witnesses have been
found to sustain the contention of
Chinese officials that the arms seized
with the Tatsu were part of a fill
clustering movement and that the
rifles were intended for rebels.
Under no circumstances, II Is
stated, will China stand for interfer-
ence in her domains by Japan. The
encroachments OF Japan have stirred
the government to the depths and the
fact that a movement was In progress
tc arm rebels. whether it began with
private parties or not, VIII not be
overlooked.
no threat OF war, 1t is admitted that
there can be only one outcome of a
refusal to accede to Japan's demands.
Public opinion has been aroused in
Japan. and there is plenty of war
talk over the Tatsu affair. It Is said
that Minister Hayashi, acting under
instructions, has sent the first secre-
tary to the minister of foreign affairs
with the statement that, in view of
the attitude of the Chinese govern
ment, he could proceed only in a
manner that would uphold the dig
nifty of Japan and protect her in
terests
No answer has been made by
China.
Pekin, March 9.--With the Japan
ese southern squadron on its way To
Canton, and the danger of an armed
clash with the mikado growing hour
| ly more imminent. China is walking
between national pride and the fear
of a war which might mean disin-
| tegration OF the empire.
While Japan has been assuring the
Occident that she has no thought of
, fighting over the seizure OF the steam
er Tatsu Maru, she has made II
clear to Pekin, according to informa-
/ ton from high official circles, that
/ force will be used If the Chinese gov
ernment persists in defying or dlsre-
garding the Toxic foreign office de-
! mands.
The word "war" has not appeared
i in the correspondence, but China can
not figure that force" means any
| thing else unless, indeed, she Is TO
submit tamely to the recovery by
japanese squadron of a vessel which
the Chinese officials seized for bring
! ing aid. almostly openly, to malcon-
tents in arms against the govern
! ment
/ China does not want war at pres
! ent. Her military experts are build
| ing up the army as rapidly as pos
sible, but they realize that they are
| still far outclassed by the Japanese.
! Their navy amounts practically To
nothing.
So far as the Tatsu is concerned.
the government might WELD We're 1t
not convinced that Japan is making
an issue Of the matter as a mere
pretext. If the Tatsu Is surrendered,
the Emperor's advisers are satisfied
another cause for trouble will be
found-probably over territorial riv-
alries-and that hostillties will only
be postponed. 1t Is questioned wheth-
er, under the circumstances, anything
is to be gained by compliance in the
present case.