The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-03-12
CHINA AND JAPAN
ARE MARKING time
And Meanwhile Making Prepa-
rations to Be Ready
for War.

Toxic. March II, 1890 a. m.-There
were no developments throughout
Sunday or today in connection with
the Tatsu affair. In the meanwhile
Japan is undoubtedly preparing for
eventualities. The entire decision in
the matter rests with Premier Satonji
and Foreign Minister Hayashi. There
has been no indication of the period
of time hat Japan would await Chi
mas reply. The Associated Press Is
informed at the Japanese foreign Of
flee that it is presumed that the Chi
nese foreign board will require three
or perhaps four days consultation
with the viceroy of Canton in the con-
sideration of the entire matter, on
%sequently no decision may be- reached
before March 10 or IL.
What action Japan will take in the
event she decides Immediately to take
independent action" is a matter OF
speculation In diplomatic circles in
Toxic. 1t is believed that it is entirely
improbable that Japan will make any
effort to retake the Tatsu or send war
ships to Canton waters. While war Is
considered most improbable, the naval
base at Sasebo is extremely active. 1t
Is announced that a part of the first
The armored cruiser Chicavoda sud-
denly left port last night.
Coaling is proceeding rapidly, a
number OF torpedoboat destroyerss
have already coaied. Enormous
supplies in storage at Sasebo are be-
ing hurried aboad the vessels.
At the office of the admiralty it Is
pointed out that the first squadron
expected to start on training maneu-
Ners this week, a fact two
months age, therefore the activity at
Sasebo should not necessarily be con-
tjHarad in connection with the To fS,y
incident.
china's Position.
Pekin, March 9.-The Chinese board
of foreign affairs maintains that the
case cannot be settled without a
thorough inquiry into the facts. China
has successfully temporized for two
days and today a membe Of the board
of foreign affairs and the Japanese
minister, Baron Hayashi, had a lengthy
conference with regard to the DISPOSE
ton of the cargo of the steamer, If it
were restored.
China has proposed that the ship
ment of arms and ammunition on the
TatSu Maru be recalled and that the
permit of such shipment be Cancelled,
and she further asks for pledges from
Japan looking to the suppression of
the traffic in arms and ammunition
to the mainland through Japanese
sources.
EXPLANATION OF CAUSE
OF ALL THE TROUBLE
Toxic, March 11.-Chinese warships
seized a Japanese merchant steamer
the Tatsu Maru-in Chinese territorial
waters, just outside Macao harbor, and
escorted her to Canton on the charge
that she was engaged in an attempt to
smuggle arms n ammunition into
China
To add to the irritation inseparable
r~,x, e,,al, - ,o,,rcn cf nnffr,,L 49, rsl;
nese commander hauled down the
japanese flag en- route and ran up the
Chinese dragon ensign in its stead.
The Japanese foreign office has de-
manded the immediate release of the
Tatsu Maru and the punishment of the
Quite irrespective of the merits of the
case. the Japanese minister maintains
the action of the Chinese authorities in
Selling and hauling down the Japanese
flag was an insult to Japan.
The facts in the case. as nearly as
can be ascertained from both sides, APP
pear to be these:
The Japanese contention is that the
vessel left Kobe on January 26 with "a
cases of rifles and 40 cases of ammuni-
ton consigned by the Ataka Shokai. of
Osaka, to KWong Yo & Co, of Macao,
who are licensed by the Macao govern
ment to deal in arms. 1t is asserted
that the Ataka Shokai a obtained
the necessary permit from the Macoa
authorities with regard to the arms
and ammunition, and that the usua
customs and police formalities had been
complied with at Kobe.
The fact thai the Tatsu Maru an
chored outside Macao harbor is ex-
planned by the statement that her draft
was too large to permit her to enter
the harbor in safety and that the in
tention Of the captain and the con
Signees vas to have the cargo dis
charged into lighters. According to the
captains story the vessel was surround
ed by four hines gunboats and was
shortly afterward boarded by the Chi
nese commander, who declared that al
though the steamer was in possession
of a certificate issued by the Portu-
guese authorities at Macao, the Chi
neSe government was Informed that she
was bound for Macao with a cargo of
1874 cases of arms and ammunition con-
signed to a Chinese firm. and that he
had been ordered by the taotai of Can
ton to stop the discharge of this cargo.
Later two customs officials and 20 blue
jackets boarded the steamer. The in
den created no small excitement
anon the steamers passengers. some
ap~piehensions being entertained that
the Japanese warships in the harbor
might attempt a rescue, in which event
1t is deemed probable the Chinese gun
boats would have sent the Tatsu Maru
TO the DOLlOTn without Iurt1er Cere-
mony. 1t was to safeguard the vessel
against any attempt to escap that the
Chinese commander ran up the dragon
Of China, thus technically placing the
vessel under arrest.
Further inquiry has ELECTED the in
formation that the seizure Of the Tatsu
Maru was brought about through a re-
port sent from Kobe or Osaka to the
Chinese authorities to the effect that
although the rifles and ammunition
were consigned to a firm In Macao.
they were really to be struggled INTO
the hands of insurgents In the interior
of China. Acting on this assurance the
Chinese authorities took immediate
steps to seize h steamer. It Is sur
missed that the information Of the Chi
nese government may have come from
a Chinaman residing In Japan.
WELL KNOWN SURGEON DIES.
Detroit, March 11-Dr. Hal c.. Wyman
widely known as Il and author
OF a We'll known o on abdominal
SJJrtrary died today t.. -#