The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-06
JAPS THREATEN
POOR OLD CHINA
Seizure of Steamer TatSu
Maru Causing No End
of Trouble.
ARBITRATION is REFUSED
ALSO THE PROPOSAL TO APP
POINT A JOINT COMMISSION.

Pekin. March 5.-Japan is threaten
ing force to recover the Japanese
steamer Tatsu Maru, which is still re-
tdlned by China at Huangpu, on the
Sl-klang, or West river This vessel
was seized at Macao February Z by
ChlneSe cruisers. on the charge that
the cargo of arms and ammunition was
intended for Chinese revolutionists, al
though consigned to a merchant of that
place
The coercion of China is feared here,
on account of the weakness of the
government, and because of the doubt
Iul legality of Chang Jan Chuns ac-
ton in seizing the Japanese steamer.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minis
ter TO China, yesterday handed TO the
Chlnese government Japan's refusal TO
accept China's proposal to appoint a
JOINT japanese and Chinese commission
TO examine all the charges. in the
meantime releasing the Tatsu Maru I'M
der bond. Japan's demands are, first,
the unconditional release of the steam
e., and, second, an arrangement to pro-
tect the shippers from loss. This sec
ond proVisO means that China must
buy the cargo on board the Tatsu
Maru.
Arbitration Refused.
Today China proposed arbitration by
Nice-Admiral Sir Arthur William
Moore. commander-in-chief of the Brit
ish-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, falling which she
said she would take the steps neces-
Sary TO secure this release.
Japan resents hotly the fact that SOL
diers of the viceroy of Canton board
ed the Tatsu Maru and hauled down
the japanese flag, when, according to
the Japanese. the steamer was waiting
off Macao for a turn of the tide. The
steamers papers show that she was
on her way TO Macao. Subsequently,
the viceroy, Chang Jen-Chun. claiming
authority under "a former treaty be-
tween CHR and Portugal MACAO is
a Portuguese dependency had the yes
sci arrested in Macao waters. This is,
according to the vicerOy's statement,
but ii is questioned whether the
steamer gas actually in Macao wa
tiers.
II is understood that the Pekin au-
thorities would have released the Tatsu
Maru because of the reasonable doubt
as to the legality of the VicerOy's pro-
ceedingS. coupled with the menace of
Japan, provided that Japan would max
no claim for indemnity. 1t is contend
ed here that Chang Jen-Chun prevented
this course.
other Vessels Seized.
China believes that she has fully es-
tablished her charge of violation of
neutrality by reports that have come
in here showing arrests OF other YES
sells by working contra band cargo in
the same waters.
The Chinese and the japanese au-
thorities have thus far failed to agree
on even the principles of a settlement
of this threatening question
The internal situation in the Liang
Kuang district is also threatening. The
government is coping with condition
of chronic rebellion. which is being fed
by an active trade in contraband rifles
and ammunition, in which foreigners
are taking part.
1t is understood here that Japan has
decided to sell the arms and ammuni-
ton captured from the Russians dur
ing the late wars, and that she has
handed over to shippers for the Chinese
market no less than $4,000 rifles.
Another thing that is distressing the
Pekin government is the alleged whole
sale counterfeiting by japanese of the
paper currency of China, which has
debased the copper coinage
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