The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-06
JAPAN AND CHINA IN DANGER OF
COLLISION OVER SEIZURE OF
STEAMER TATsu.
CHINA PEACABLE.
Celestial Empire is Willing to Arbl-
trate But the Japanese Seem to Be
Bound to Force TroubIe-Hope Ex-
pressed That All Will Be Quietly
Settled Takahira Hopeful.

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
sikiang or West river. This vessel
was seized at ,Makoa February Z by
Chinese cruisers on the charge that
the cargo Of arms and ammunition
was intended for Chinese revolution
lists, although consigned to a merchant
Of that place. sa4s
The coercion Of China is feared here
on account Of the weakness Of the
government and because of the doubt
full legality of Chang Jen Chun's ac-
ton in seizing the Japanese steamer.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese min
lister to China, yesterday handed to
the Chinese government Japans re-
fusal to accept China's proposal to ap-
point joint Japanese and Chinese
commission to examine all the charges
and in the meantime release the sratsu
Maru under bond. Japan's demands
are, first, the unconditional release OF
the steamer, and second an arrange
ment to protect the shippers from loss.
This second provlso means that China
must buy the cargo on board the Tatsu
Maru
& Arbitration PronoaAd.
Today China proposed arbitration by
Vice Admiral Sir Arthur William
Moore, commander-in-chiet Of the Brit
ish China station, but Japan refused
these overtures also and has warned
the foreign board that such proposals
are unwelcome.
She sgain expressed her desire for
the release Of the vessel, failing which
sha said she would take the steps nee
essarv to secure this release.
Japan hotly resents the fact that
soldiers Of the viceroy Of Canton
boarded the Tatsu Maru and hauled
down the Japanese flag, when, accord.
ing to tie Japanese, the steamer was
waiting on Macao for. turn Of the
tido. The steamers papers show that
she was on her way to Macao. Subse.
quently the viceroy, Chang Jen Chun.
claiming authority under a former
treaty between China and Portugal
(Macao is q Portuguese dependency.
had the vessel arrested In Macao VA.
ters. This is according to the viceroy's
statement. but It is said the vessel
was actually In Macao waters.
China believes that she has fully es.
tablished her charge Of violation Of
the neutrality laws by reports that
have come in here showing arrests Of
other vessels carrying contfaband car
SO in the same waters.
No Agreement.
The Chinese and japanese authori.
ties have thus far failed to agree on
even the principles Of settlement Of
this threatening question.
The international situation in the
Lang Kuang district is also threaten.
ing. The government Is coping with
condition Of chronic rebellion. which
ls being fed by an active trade in con.
traband rifles and ammunition in
which foreigners are taking part.
n Il understood here that Ianan has
decided to sell the arms and ammuni.
tion captured from the Russians dur.
ing the late war and that she has
handed over to shippers for the Chi.
nese market no less than $4,000 rifles
Another thing that 10 distressing
the Pedn government is the alleged
Wholesale counterfeiting BY Japanese
Of the paper currency Of China. which
has debased the copper coinage.