Omaha daily bee., 1908-03-06
JAPAN REsENTs cHlNA's ACT
seiHure of Tatsu Maru f. Likely 70
Cause Complications - Orien-
tails would Arbitrate.


tails would Arbitrate.
ToKK1o. March S.--The Japanese govern
ment while maintaining the firmest attl-
tude concerning the seizure Of the steam
ship Tatsu by the Chinese at Macaoon Feb
ruary Z. entertains no idea of resorting TO
force for the recovery Of the vessel.
Possibly in the event that China delays
action Japan win appeal to England or
America to act as Intermediary in tho
matter
PBGING, March 5.--Japan ls threatening
force to recover the Japanese steamer,
Tatsu Maru, which is still retained by
China at Haungpu on the Si-Kiang or West
river. This vessel was seized at Macao
February by Chinese customs cruisers on
the ground that the cargo Of arms and am
munition was intended for Chinese revolu-
tionists although consigned to a merchant
Of that place.
The coercion OF China lie feared here on
account OF the weakness OF the government
and because of the doubtful legality of
Chang-Jan-Chun action IS 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 a joint Japa-
nese and Chinese commission to examine
all the charges, IN the meantime releasing
the Tatsu Mar1 under bond
Japan's demands. are first. the unoondi-
tional release of the steamer and second.
an arrangement to protect the shippers
from loss. This second proviso means that
Tatsu Maru.
Arbitration Proposed.
Today China proposed arbitration by Vice
Admiral Sir Arthur william Moore, com
mander in chief Of the British China sta
tion, but Japan refused these overtures and
has warned the foreign board that such
proposals are unwelcome. 1t again ex-
pressed it's desire for the release Of the
vessel, failing which 4 would take the
steps necessary to secure release.
Japan resents hotiy the fact that the vice
roy of Canton boarded the Tatsu Maru and
hauled down the Japanese flag. when ao-
cording to the Japanese the steamer was
awaiting for a turn in the tide.
The steamers papers show that It was
on its way to Macao. Subsequently the
viceroy, Chang Jan -Chun claiming author
ity under a former treaty between China
and Portugal. Macao Is q Portuguese de-
pendency), had the vessel arrested in
Macao waters. This is according to the
viceroy's statement. but II is questioned
whether the steamer was actually in Macao
waters.
It Is understood that the Pelsing authori-
ties would have released the Tatsu Mar1i
because of the reasonable doubt as to the
legality of the svicegoy's proceedings,
coupled with the menace of Japan, pro-
vided Japan would make no claim for in
demnity. 1t Is contended here that Chang
Jan-Chun prevented this course.
China believes it has fully established
it's charge OF violation OF neutrality by
reports that have come IN here showing
arrests of other vessels working contra
band cargoes in the same waters.
The Chinese End the Japanese authorities
have thus far failed TO agree on even the
principles OF settlement
The intetnsl seaat On ife Isang
Kuang district also isfthreatening.- - The
government Is coping with condition OF
chronic rebellion. which is being fed by an
active trade In contraband rifles and am
munition captured from the Russians dur
ing the late war, and that it has handed
over to shippers from the Chinese market
more than 5000 Of these What is dis
tressing the Picking government is the al
of the paper currency of China, which has
debased the copper coinage. @
Hostuittess Not Expeeted.
WASHINGTON, March 81 think the
good sense of China will result in a salts
factory settlement within day or So"
This was Baron Takahiras comment to-
day when asked regarding the recent
seizure BY China of the Japanese steam
ship Tatsu with cargo of small arms
aboard. The statement was made at
between the baron and Secretary Root.
No serious trouble, he repeated, was an
ticipated between his country and China in
consequence of the incident.
Asked whether he had taken up with the
American government the question of al
legged protests regarding Japanese COM
mercial activity in Manchuria, the ambassa-
dor replied that he had not, ''but," he
added, II understand Minister WI has
made some statement on that subject. He
will be here shortly"
Information has reached here of the alb
solute accuracy of the statements which
have appeared that China proposed to sub
init to mixed court the question of her
right to seize the Japanese vessel Tatsu.
Japan peremptorily declined to agree to any
such proposition and insisted on her de-
mands for the surrender OF the ship Thus
the case stands at present. 1t is not un-
derstood that Japan has in any sense pre-
sented an ultimatum to China.
The opinion In Washington is that II the
statement of facts as stated by Japan are
correct, then that country had a perfect
right to demand the return OF the vessel.