The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-07
That Is if China Does Every
thing Japan Demands.
MikadO Is Disposed to Allow
Her Plenty Of Time.
MILD BUT INSISTENT
Is the Policy That Is Being
Pursued at Toxic.
Flag That Was Hauled Down
Must Be Put Up Again.

oio, Marcn Japan Will not re-
sort to force in connection with the
seizure ofthe steamer Tatsu unless COM
PEELED to do SO by the action of China. -
Thls statement was given to the AS
soclated Press correspondent today by
high authority in the foreign office,
who continuing said:
we propose to use the utmost pa
thence and fully understand the diff
Guilty the central government of China
has in dealing with viceroys who pos
sess extensive constitutional powers.
1t is quite apparent that the victory
or canton acted hastily in relying on
information which stated that the
Tatsu was engaged in smuggling arms.
He conceived therefore that he had a
right TO seize the vessel when the facts
show that the vessels papers includ-
ing manifest of arms consigned In
regular form to a firm in Macao were
entirely legal A representative of the
firm at Macao boarded the vessel ac-
companied by the Portuguese authori-
ties before her seizure by a Chinese
vessel She was undoubtedly then in
Portuguese territorial waters The
claim of Japan that this Is a clear case
of violation of her national rights and
an insult to the flag was proved by the
Chinese themselves in Offering to re-
store the ship together with a further
promise received today to reprimand
the officials who lowered the. japanese
flag. Notwithstanding this, while we
are determined to concede what we be-
ieve is proper, but to ultimately en-
force our demands, should China re-
fuse to listen to reason, the world may
rest assured that Japan will not act
hastily, but will weigh her future &C
lions with the utmost deliberations
This interview was given after a cabi-
net meeting and conferences. Foreign
Minister Hayashi said later to the AS
ISOLATED Press correspondent that he
had reason to believe that it was then
determined not to Immediately rein
force the cruiser Idzuni now at Can
ton, but that the Idzuni, which was
used as a training vessel would re-
/ main there a few days longer.
Today's advices from Pekin contain
an offer to punish officials connected
with the seizure and also a statement
from Yuan-Shi-Kai that he desired
further time for consideration of the
Japanese demands. This will be grant
ed by the japan government and is
confidently believed that an agreement
| will be reached between the viceroy OF
Canton and the central government
The Chinese minister at Toxic held 6
lengthy conference with Baron Chinda
vice minister of foreign affairs this
morning. During the session of the cab
met the Chinese minister first contend
ed that because Portugal held Macao
waters under treaty. therefore the wa
| tiers remained actually under Chinese
sovereignty. Later, however, the min
| lister abandoned this contention wher
instances were quoted of other leases
| those of Wei-Hai-Wei and Kaio-Chow
elsewhere cited. The foreign Office does
| not expect any further developments
| for a few days, the only points remain
| ing undecided being the restoration Of
| the arms, which Japan continues to de-
| mand also raising the Japanese flag
| on the Tatsu with appropriate cere-
| mony.
| Japan's Ultimatum.
Pekin, March 7.-Japans ultimatun
| in the case of the Japanese steamship
| Tatsu Maru was presented to the head
of the Chinese foreign board yesterday
| and today the board has the matter
under consideration. The Tatsu Mari
| by Chinese customs cruisers on the
| charge that her cargo of arms and am
munition was intended for Chinese
revolutionists, although consigned to E
| merchant of that place. The steamer
| is now being held at Whampoa, on the
Canton river.
| The irreducible minimum of the Jap.
! anese claims is the restoration of the
| steamer as well as of her cargo and
the payment of a full indemnity. Ac
| ton is demanded Within reasonable
| time"
| In case of default or postponement
Japan, according to the terms of hel
ultimatum, will take immediate &C.
| ton"
Japan expects reply by tomorrow
| She will not tolerate China's offer tt
! investigate the case; she insists upon al
| apology for the hauling down of the
Japanese flag on the Tatsu Maru ant
| she will not accept mediation, affirming
| that China is in error and that the
| facts are incontrovertible.
Baron Hsyashi, the Japanese minis
| ter to China, in delivering the ultima
| tu1n made reference to Japans sym
pathy for China in the matter of con
! traband traffic in arms and explained
/ that China could not expect mediations
| SO long as she did not admit the par.
| ticfpation of the Portuguese.