Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-08
JAPAN HAS WAR CHIP
ON HER SHOULDER
FIoHsPg Kingdom Evidently Anxious
10 Resent Tia Seizure Of a
ship by China.
ISSUES THREATENING uLTIRATUA
win Not Give China an Opportunity
to Investigate the Case, and Insists
Upon an Immediate Apolosy-wilI
Not Consider Any Plan to A bitrstc
the Case.
(py Associated prcss,

PEklN, March 7-Japan's ultima
tnm in the case OF the japanese
steamship Tatsu Maiu, was presented
10 the hcal Chinese foreign board and
the board has the matter under con-
sideration. The Taisu AInru was
seized off Maco on February BY Chi
hesc customs cruisers on the charge
that her cargo of arms and ammuni-
ton WAS Intended for Chinese rcvo-
iutionis's, although consigned to a
merchant of that place. The steamer
IS now being held at Whampo, on the
Canton river
Tho minimum of the Janancsc
claim Is restoration OF the steamer as
wen rs her ca'go and the paymcn, oil
iuii indemnity. Action is demanded
within reasonable time
In case of default or postponcmcnt
Japan. according to the terms of her
nl,imatum, will take immediate ac
ton"
Japan expects u roply tomorrow.
SHE viii not tolerate Cnina's offer TO
investigate Che case. but insists unon
an apology for the hauling down OF
'nc Japanese flag on the Tatsu Marl
aud she VIII not accept mediation. az
hrlning that China is in error and that
me facts are incontrovertible.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese min
istcr. In delivering the ultimatum made
reference to Japan's sympathy for
China in the matter of the coniraband
'raihc in arms and explained that Chi
ma could not expect mediation so long
as she did not admit the participation
of the Portuguese in the matter.
Position of Japanese.
Japan will not resort to force in
connection with the seizure of The
steamer Tatsn Maru. unless compelled
TO do SO by the action OF China"
rms statement was given to the
Associated Press correspondent TODAY
by high official, who continuing said.
we propose to exercise the utmost
patience and fuzzy understand tho diff
hculty the central government of Chi
ma has in dealing with viceroys who
possess unlimited power. 1t is unite
apparent that the viocroy of Canton
acted hastily in relying upon infor-
nation which stated that tho. Tatsu
was engaged in smuggling arms. He
conceived therefore that he had
right 10 seize the vessel when the facts
SHOW that the vessels papers includ-
Ing a manifest of arms consigned in
regular form to firm in Macao. were
entirely legal A representative of tho
hrrn boarded tho vessel. accompanied
by the Portuguese authorities before
her scizuIe by Chinese vessel.
She was undoubtedly in Portuguese
territorial waters. The claim of Ian
mn that this Is clear case OF viola
ton Of her nat ional rights and an in
SUIT to the flag was prevented by the
Chinese themselves in Offering TO re-
store the ship. together with a iurth-
or promise received today to reprj-
inand of the officials who lowered tho
Jhnanesc flag. notwithstanding This.
whllo we are instructed not TO con-
cede what We believe Is proper. but
TO ultimately enforce our demands,
shonld China refuse to listen to rca-
son. The world may rest assured that
Japan VIII not act hastily. nj will
weigh her future actions with The ut
most dclibcraiion."