Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-05
JAPS THREATEN
Are Bound 10 Recover That
Steamer II II Takes Force
To Do II.
CARGO STILL ONBOARD

Pekin, March 5.--Japan is threat
ening force to recover the japanese
steamer Tatsu Maru which is still re-
tanned by China at Huang Pu on the
Si-Kiang or West river. This vessel
was seized at Macao, February Z by
Chinese customs cruisers on the
charge that the cargo of arms and
ammunition was intended for Chin
ese revolutionists although consigned
| to merchant of that place. The
| cargo is still on board Chang Jen-
Chun, viceroy of Canton before TAX
| ing action is said to be awaiting proof
that the vessel and its cargo should
| not be confiscated.
The coercion of China is feared
here on account of the weakness of
the government and because of the
doubtful legality Of Chang Jen-
Chun's action in seizing the Japanese
steamer
Baron Hayshi, the japanese min
lister to China, yesterday handed to
! the Chinese government Japan's re-
fusal to accept China's proposal to
appoint joint Japanese and Chinese
commission to examine all the
charges in the meantime releasing
the Tatsu Maru under bonds. Japan's
demands are the unconditional re-
| lease of the steamer and an arrange
ment to protect the shippers from
| loss The latter proyiso means that
China must buy the cargo on board
| the Tatsu Maru To-day China pro-
posed arbitration by Vive-Admiral Sir
Arthur William Moore, commander in
chief of the British-China station but
| Japan refused these overtures also
and has warned the foreign board
that such proposals are unwelcome.
She again expressed her desire for
the release of the vessel failing which
she said she would take the steps
necessary to secure this release.
Japan resents hotly the fact that
Chang Ien-Chun's soldiers boarded
the Tatsu Maru and hauled down the
Japanese flag when according to the
Japanese the steamer was waiting for
turn of the tide. The steamers pa
pers show that she was on her way
to Macao. Subsequently Chang Jen-
Chun claiming authority under a
former treaty between China and
Portugal, Macao is Portuguese de-
pendency) had the vessel arrested in
Macao waters This is according 20
the yiceroy's statement, but whether
the steamer was actually in Macao
waters or not is doubtful.
1t is understood that the Pekin au-
thorities would have released the
Tatsu Maru because of the reasonable
doubt as to the legality of the vice.
roy's proceeding provided Japan
would make no claim for indemnity.
IL is contended here strongly that
Chang Jen-Chun prevented this
course. China believes that she has
fully established her charge Of viola
tion OF neutrality by reports that have
come in here showing arrests of other
vessels by working contrabaud cargo
In the same waters where the Tatsu
Maru was seized and over which the
maritime customs have Jurisdiction.
Up to the present time the Chinese
and the Japanese authorities have
failed utterly TO come to agreement
OH even the principles Of settle
ment of this threatening question. The
internal situation i'm the Iiang Kuang
district also is threatening. The gov
ernment is coping with condition of
chronic rebellion which is being fed
by an active trade in contraband rifles
and ammunition in which various for
cigners pre- taking part. 1t Is under
stood here that Japan has decided TO
sell the arms and ammunition cap
tured from the RusSons during the
late war and that she has handed
over to shippers for the Chinese mar
ket no less than $1,000 rifles.
Another thing that is distressing
the Pekin government is the alleged
wholesale counterfeiting by japanese
Of the paper currency Of China which
has debased the copper coinage.
Toxic. March j.-The japanese gov
ernment, while maintaining a firm at
titude concerning the seizure Of the
ship Tatsu by the Chinese at Macao
on February Z. entertains no idea Of
resorting to fore for the recovery Of
the vessel. Possibly. in the event that
China delays action Japan win ap-
peal to England or America to act as
intermediary in the matter.
The foreign Office has assured the
Associated Press correspondent that
Japan never would declare war on
account of such a minor incident.
nevertheless IL is believed proper
that Japanese war vessels should
visit the neighboThood of the impris-
oned ship.
Attention i called to the fact that
British warships aud torpedo boats
recently visited Canton where = Brit