Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-07
U[T|MATUM BY JAPAN
States Her Final Decision in
Case of Tatsu Maru.
PUTTING IT UP TO CHINA
Foreign Office in Toxic Denies Re-
sponsibility.
NATIONAL PRIDE IS HURT
Demands an Apology Along With an
Adequate ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
No Investigation.
PUTTING IT UP TO CHINA
NATIONAL PRIDE IS HURT
Special Cablesram to The Star.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
PEKING. March THE board of for
eisn affairs is in session. considering the
Japanese ultimatum.
PEKING March 7.-Japan's ultimatum in
the case of the Japanese steamship Tatsu
Maru was presented to the head of the
Chinese foreign board yesterday. and to-
day the board has the matter under con-
sideration The Tatsu Maru was seized
off Macao February by Chinese customs
cruisers on the charge that her cargo
of arms and ammunition was intended for
Chinese reyolutionists. although consign
ed to a merchant of that place. The
steamer is now being held at Whampoa,
on the Canton river.
The rreducible minimum of the Japa-
nese claims is the restoration of the
steamer as we'll as of her cargo and the
payment of a full indemnity. Action is
demanded within a reasonable time
In case of default postponement
Japan, according TO the terms of her ul-
timatum, will take immediate action.
Japan expects a reply by tomorrow.
She will not tolerate China's offer to in
vestigate the case. she insists upon an
apology for the hauling down of the
Japanese flag on the Tatsu Maru. and she
will not accept mediation. affirming that
China is in error ana that the 1acIS are
incontrovertible
Baron Hayashi. the japanese minister
to China, in delivering the ultimatum,
made reference to Japan's sympathy for
China In the matter of the contraband
traffic in arms and explained that China
could not expect mediation so long as she
did not admit the participation of the
Portuguese.
Deprecates Force.
ToEJn Marcb will mot re-
sort to force in connection with the seizure
of the steamer Tatsu unless compelled to
do so by the action of China
This statement was given to the Asso-
eiated Press correspondent today by
high authority in the foreign office. who
continuing. said:
I'VE propose to exercise the utmost pa
tience. and fully understand the difficulty
the central government of China has in
dealing with viceroys who possess ex-
tensive constitutional powers. 1t is quite
apparent that the viceroy of Canton acted
hastily in relying upon information which
stated that the Tatsu was engaged in
smuggling arms. He conceived, there-
fore, that he had a right 10 seize the
vessel when the facts show that the
vessels papers, including a manifest of
arms consigned in regular form TO
firm in Macao. were entirely legal
representative of the firm at Macao board
ed the vessel. accompanied by the Portu-
suese authorities, before her seizure by
a Chinese vessel She was undoubtedly
then in Portuguese territorial waters.
The claim of Japan that this is clear
case of violation of her national rights
and insult to the flag was proved by
the Chinese themselves in offering to
restore the ship, together with further
promise received today to reprimand the
officials who lowered the Japanese flag.
Notwithsta nding this. while We are de-
Iermined not to concede what we believe
iS hiIf ultimately enforce
demands should China refuse to listen to
reason. the world may rest assured that
Japan will not act hastily, but will weigh
her future actions with the utmost de-
liberation
This interview was given after a cab
inet meeting and conferences.
China Offers Terms
Foreign Minister Hayashi said later to
the Associated Press correspondent that
he had reason to believe that it was then
determined not to Immediately reinforce
the cruiser IdZumi now at Canton, but
that the Idzumi. which was used as
training vessel, would remain there few
days longer
Todays advices from Peking 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 granted by the Japanese gov
ernment, and ii is confidently believed
that an agreement will finally be reached
between the viceroy of Canton and the
central government.
The Chinese minister at Toxic held
lengthy conference with Baron Chinda.
vice minister of the foreign office. this
morning. During the session of the cab
met the Chinese minister first contended
that because Portugal held Macao waters
under treaty therefore the waters re-
nained actually under Chinese sover
eighty Later. however, the minister
withdrew this contention when instances
were quoted of ether leases, those of Wei
Hai-Wei and kiao-Chow. The foreign
Once does not expect any further de-
Nelopments for a few days the only
points remaining undecided being the
restoration OF the arms which japan
continues TO demand, also raising the
Japanese flag on the Tatsu with appro-
pirate ceremony.