Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05
Unwilling to Compromise Over
the TatSu Maru.
TOXIC TALKS CONFIDENTLY
Peking Would Submit Dispute to
Joint Commission.
CHINA WORRIED BY REVOLT
Understood Mikado's Government
Plans to Sell Captured Russian
Arms to the Rebels.

TOXIC, March 5.-The japanese gov.
eminent. while maintaining the firmest
attitude concerning the seizure of the
ship Tatsu by the Chinese at Macao Feb
ruary I, entertains no idea OF resortins to
force for the recovery Of the vessel. Pos
sibly. in the event that China delays
action. Japan will appeal to England or
America to act as intermediary in the
matter.
In view of the agitation against the for
eign office instituted by the opposition
any indication of cession by Japan to
China would be extremely dangerous to
the present cabinet officials. The foreign
office has assured the Associated Press
correspondent that japan never would
declare war on account of such a minor
incident; nevertheless 1t is believed proper
that japanese war vessels should visit the
neishborhood of the imprisoned ship.
Attention Is called to the fact that BTU
ish warships and torpedo boats recently
visited Canton, where British vessei
was attacked and robbed by Chinese
pirates near that city.
China Is Anxious.
ing force to recover the Japanese steamer
Tatsu Maru, which is still retained by
China at Huang Pu, on the St-Kiang, or
West river. This vessel was seized at
Macao February by Chinese customs
cruisers on the charge that the cargo o.
arms and ammunition was Intended for
Chinese revolutionists. although consisned
to a merchant Of that place. The cargo
of the vessel is still on board Chang
Jen-Chun. viceroy OF Canton, before TAX
ing action, IL said to be awaiting proof
be confiscated.
The coercion of China is feared here on
account of the weakness of the govern
ment and because Of the doubtful legality
OF Chang Jen-Chuns action In seizing the
Japanese steamer.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minister
to China, yesterday handed to the Chinese
government Japan's refusal to accept
China's proposal to appoint Joint Japa-
nese and Chinese commission to examine
all the charges. In the meantime .eleas-
Ing the Tatsu Maru under bond Japan's
demands are, first, the unconditional re-
lease Of the steamer. and second, an ar
ransement to protect the shippers from
loss. This. second proviso means that
China must buy the cargo on board the
Tatsu Maru.
Proposed Arbitration.
Today China proposed arbitration by
Vice Admiral Sir Arthur William Moore,
commander-in-chief of the British-china
station, but Japan refused these over
lures also. and has warned the foreign
board that such proposals are unweleome.
She again expressed her desire for the re-
lease of the vessel, failing which she said
she would take the steps necessary to Sc
cure this release.
Japan resents hotly the fact that Chang
Jen-Chun's soldiers boarded the Tatsu
Maru and hauled down the Japanese flag.
when, according to the Japanese, the
steamer was waiting of Macao for a turn
of the tide. The steamers papers show
that she was on her way to Macao. Sub
sequently Chang Jen-Chun. claiming
authority under former treatey between
China and Portugal Macao is Portu-
guese dependency, had the vessel ar
rested in Macao waters. This is accord
ing to the viceroy's statement, but 1t is
questioned whether the steamer was actu-
ally in Macao waters. 1t Is understood
that the Picking authorities would have
released the Tatsu Maru because of the
reasonable doubt as to the legality OF the
viceroy's proceedings. coupled with the
menace Of Japan. provided that Japan
contended here that Chang Jen-Chun pre-
vented this course.
Russian Arms for Sale.
China DelleVcO tIdt SIG NdS IuIiy Go.
tablished her charge of violation OF neu-
trality by reports that have come in here
showing arrests Of other vessels by work
ing contraband cargo in the same waters
where the Tatsu Maru was seized and
over which the maritime customs have
jurisdiction.
I'm to the present time the Chinese
and Japanese authorities have failed to
come to an agreement on even the prin-
cipIes of a settlement of this threatening
question.
The internal situation in the LANG
Kuane district also is threatening. The
government Is coping with a condition
of chronic rebellion which Is being led
by an active trade in contraband rifles
and ammunition. in which foreigners are
taking part.
II is understood here that Japan has
decided to sell the arms and ammunition
captured from the Russians during the
late war and that she has handed over
to shippers for the Chinese market no
less than $4,000 rifles.
Another thing that is distressing the
Picking government is the alleged whole
sale counterfeiting by Japanese OF the
paper currency of China. which has de-
no. tho conner coinage.