The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-03-09
JAPAN HAS A CHIP
ON HER SHOULDER
rs READY AND ANXIOUS TO
FIGHT CHINA.
THE SEIZURE OF A STEAMER
Carrying Arms and Ammunition In
tended for Use by Chinese
Rebels is Considered as
an Insult to Japan.

Toxic, March 9.--There were no de.
velopments Sunday in connection
with the Tatsu Maru affair Meantime
Japan is undoubtedly preparing for
eventualities The entire decision i'm
the case rests with Premier Saionii
and Foreign Minister Hayashi. There
has been no indication Of the period
of time that Japan will await Chnas
reply. The Associated Press Is in
formed at the Japanese foreign office
that is presumed that Yuan Shat Kai
will require three or perhaps four days
OF consultation with the viceroy of
Canton in the consideration Of the en-
tire affair Consequently a decision
may not be reached before March 10
or II.
What action Japan will take in the
event that she decides Immediately
to take Independent action" is a mat
ter of speculation in diplomatic cir
cles in Toxic. It is probable that
Japan will make an effort TO retake
the Tatsu or send warships to Canton
waters. While war is regarded as
most improbable, the naval base at
Sasebo is extremely active.
II is announced that a part of the
squadron will leave port on March H.
The armored cruiser ChiyOda sudden
ly left port Saturday night. Coalng
is proceeding rapidly and a number of
torpedo boat destrOyers have already
coaled. Enormous supplies in storage
at Sasebo are being hurried aboard
the vessels.
At the offices Of the admiralty IL is
pointed out that the first squadron eN-
pected to start on training maneuvers
this week, a fact announced two
months ago: therefore the activity at
Sasebo should not necessarily be con-
sidered in connection with Chiua
The Japanese foreign office demand
ed the release of the Tatsu Maru and
the punishment of the officials respon-
sible for her seizure. The Japanese
minister mainta4 I'd that the actions
of the Chinese in seizing the steamer
and hauling down the Japanese flag
was an insult to Japan.
The facts of the case appear to be |
these:
The Japanese contention is that the |
vessel left Kobe on January 2G with |
"a cases of rifles and 40 cases of am |
munition consigned by the Ataka Sbo- |
kai of Osaka to Messrs. Kwong Yo & |
Macao government to deal i'm arms. It
is asserted that the Ataka Shokai had |
obtained the necessary permit from !
the Macao authorities with regard 10 |
the arms and ammunition and that the |
usual customs and police formalites |
had been complied with at Kobe The |
fact that the Tatsu Mau anchored
outside Macao harbor is explained by
the statement that her draught was
too great to permit her to enter the |
harbor in safety and that the inten-
tion of the captain and the consgnees
was to have the cargo discharged into
lighters.
According TO the captains story
the vessel was surrounded by four
Chinese gunboats and was shortly
boarded by the Chinese |
commander. who declared that al.
though the steamer was in possession
of certificate issued by the Portu.
guese authorities at Macao, the Chin
ese government was informed that
she was bound for Macao with n |
cargo of l34 cases of arms and am
consigned to Chnaman
and that he had been ordered by the
taotai of Canton TO stop the discharge
of this cargo. Later two customs Off
cials and 20 blue jackets boarded the
stea 'eT
The incident created excitement
among the steamers passengers, some
apprehensiOns being entertained that
the Japanese cruisers in Hong Kong
harbor might attempt a rescue, in
which event it is probable that the
Chinese gunboats would have sent the
Tatsu Maru TO the bottom without
further ceremony. Tho fat would then
have been in the fire with a venge.
ance II was TO safeguard the vessel
against any attempt to escape that tho
Chinese commander ran up the dragon
flag, thus technically placing the yes
sui under arrest
Further inquiry has ELECTED the in
that the seizure OF the Tat
su MaTu was brought about through a
report sent from Kobe or Osaka 10 the
Chinese authorities that although the
rifles and ammunition were consigned
10 a firm in Macao, they We're really
% be smuggled into the hands of in
I'm the interior Of China