The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-09

Japan and China No sooner does
one diplomatic issue appear to
be on the eve of satisfactory
settlement than another crops up to
prolong the agony and keep the Tokyo
Foreign Office and the Chinese Foreign
Board more or less busy. The Kanto,
a boundary, the SIN Min-Tun-F Fakumen
Railway, the North Manchurian GUS
toms and the telegraph questions-all
these have now ceased to excite much
concern In the minds oil those who can
see below the surface of the political
current. but on the other hand. as
though the Chinese themselves were
determined to furnish the Japanese op-
position with its strongest arguments
in favor of more spirited policy re-
garding the Middle Kingdom. Chinese
warships seized Japanese merchant
steamer, the Tatsu Maru. in Chinese
territorial waters, Just outside Maca.
harbor. and escorted her to Canton on
the charge that she was engaged in an
attempt to smuggle arms and anmuni-
tion Into China. To add to their in
suit the Chinese commander hauled
down the Japanese flag en- route and
ran up the Chinese dragon flag instead.
The Japanese foreign Office has de-
manded the immediate release of the
official responsible for her seizure.
Quite irrespective of the merits of the
case, the Japanese minister maintains
that the action of the Chinese authori-
ties in Selling the steamer and hauling
down the Japanese flag was an insult
to Japan.
Facts of the Case.
The facts of the case, as nearly as
can be ascertained from both sides,
appear to be these: The japanese con-
tention is that the vessel left Kobe
on January 26th with ninety-four cases
of rifles end forty cases of ammunition.
consigned by the Ataka Shokai, of
Osaka, to Messrs. Kewong Yo & Co., of
Macao. who are licensed by the Macao
government to deal in arms. It Is as
serted that the Ataka Shokai had OBJ
tained the necessary permit from the
Macao authorities with regard to the
arms and ammunition. and that the
usual customs and police formalities
had been complied with at Kobe. The
fact that the Tatsu Maru anchored
outside Macao harbor is explained by
the statement that her draft was too
great to permit her to enter the har-
Dor in safety. and that the intention
OF the captain and the consignees was
to have their cargo discharged into
lighters. According to the captains
story, the vessel was surrounded by
four Chinese gunboats. and was shortly
afterwards boarded by the Chinese
commander. who declared that although
the steamer was in possession of a
certificate issued by the Portuguese
authorities at Macao, the Chinese gov
ernment was informed that she was
bound for Macao with cargo of 134
cases of arms and ammunition con-
signed TO Chinese, and that he had
been ordered by the Taotai OF Canton
to stop the discharge of this cargo.
Almost a Naval Battle.
Later two customs officials ard
twenty bluejackets boarded the steam
er. The incident created no small ex-
citement among the steamers pas
sengers, some apprehension being en-
tertained that the Japanese cruisers
In Hong Kong harbor might attempt
a rescue, in which event it is deemed
probable that the Chinese gunboats
would have sent the Tatsu Maru to
the bottom without further ceremony.
The fat would then have been In the
fire with vengeance. 1t was to safe
guard the vessel against any attempt
to escape that the Chinese commander
ran up the dragon flag, thus technical
ly placing the vessel under arrest
Further inquiry has ELECTED the infor-
nation that the seizure Of the Tatsu
Ma'u was brought about through a
report sent from Kobe or Osaka to the
Chinese authorities to the effect that
although the rifles and ammunition
We're consigned to a firm in Macao
they We're really to be smuggled int
the hands of insurgents in the in
terror of China. Acting on this as
surance the Chinese authorities tool,
immediate steps to seize the steamer
1t is surmised that the informant OF
the Chinese government may have beer
a Chinese residing in Japan.
In the meantime the situation re-
garding the captive steamer has beer
found impossible OF adjustment, and
yesterday a high otncial of the foreign
office had the following to say witt
regard to Japan's course of action:
Japan will not resort to force ir
connection with the seizure Of this
vessel unless compelled to do so by the
action of China"