Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-09
JAPAN GETTING BUSY
Preparing Navy For Possible
 Trouble With China.
LOWERING FLAG AN INSULT.
Foreign Minister Hayashi Says Haul ing Down of Mikado's Ensign on Tatsu Maru Was Serious Affront. Other Matters In Dispute.

Other Matters In Dispute. } Tokyo, March 9.-While there are few developments in connection with the Tatsu affair Japan is undoubtedly preparing for eventuallties. The en- tire decision in the case rests with Premier Saionji and Foreign Minister Hayashi. There has been no indica- tion of the period of time that Japan will await China's reply. At the Jap anese foreign office it is presumed that Yuan Shi Kai. the Chinese statesman whose influence is believed to be pre- dominant at the present time, will re- quire three or perhaps four days of consultation with the viceroy of Can ton in the consideration of the entire affaiS Consequently a decision may not be reached before tomorrow or Wednesday.
 What action Japan will take in the event that she decides immediately to take independent action" is a matter of speculation in diplomatic circles in
 
 improbable that Japan will make any effort to retake the Tatsu or send war ships to Canton waters. While war is regarded as most improbable, the na- val base at Sasebo is extremely active.
 Ut is announced that q part of the first squadron will leave port on March 14. The armOred cruiser Chi- yoda has left port. Coaling Is proceed ing rapidly, and number of torpedo boat destroyers have already cOaled. Enormous supplies in storage at Sase- bo are hurrying aboard the vessls.
 At the office of the admiralty it is pointed out that the first squadron eX- pected to start on training maneuvers this week, fact announced two months ago; therefore the activity at Sasebo should not necessarily be con sidered in connection with the Tatsu incident
 One serious phase of the situation which not even the restoration of the Tatsu Maru's cargo will remedy is the assertion of Baron Hayashi. the Japanese minister of foreign affairs. that the hauling down of the Japanese flag on the Tatsu Maru and the raising of the Chinese flag was an insult to Japan, even though caused by mis- understanding.
 Other matters which have caused strained relations between Japan and China-a boundary dispute, the Tsin- mintun railway. the north Manchurlan customs. the telegraph question-are by no means settled.
 Added to these is the aggressive at titude of Japan in regard to the postal privileges of China and Manchuria. In her position in this Japan is backed by Russia. as result of secret com pact made within the past year.
 Japan has raised the standard of her postal officials and increased the effec- tiveness of her system. She refuses to accord China privileges over the South Manchurian railways to which China Is entitled and has committed sundry overt acts in breaking open Chinese mail bags. secretly cOnfiscat- ing one bag and its contents. Besides, she conducts parcels post over her railways. but refuses to carry the par cels of the Chinese post.
 When China discovered the postal agreement between Japan and Russia, which practically froze her out of Man churia, she notified the International Postal Union that she would come in at the next meeting. That will not be held until 1911. however. and mean while China must fight for her rights in Manchuria against both Japan and Russia.
 Japan wants enacted into permanent rights certain privileges over the Chi nese Imperial railways in Manchuria and China proper. which she has held by grace since the Boxer troubles. If Japan's demands are granted 1t will open q way for similar exactions by other powers.
 Ii is interesting to note the present Japanese naval strength as compared with her strength before the war with Russia. Al the outbreak of the war Japan had I51 hattleships. cruisers. de stroyers and torpedo boats. with an aggregate tonnage of 2S}1;2 tons. Ky building and acquisition during anI since the war she has increased her strength until she now has 20I vessels. aggregating 5l5.0S2 tons. Of the ad- ditional vessels four hattleships and completed. and some are captured Russian cruisers and destroy FITS. which have been retitted and re- named.