The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-14
JAP SQUADRON
AWAITS SECRET
MISSION ORDER
Steam Up and Sea Fighters Are
Ready to Leave Port at
Moments Notice.
SEES SEIZED VESSEL
INCIDENT AT BOTTOM
Toxic Charges That China Is Re-
lying on Sympathy of
Certain Powers.

HONG KONG. March 14.-Informa-
nlosa that the first Japanese naval
squadron will sail toy on secret serv-
ice. The cruisers YShumo, Akitsushi-
ma, Asama and a flotilla of small ves-
sells have been coaled ready to sail at
minutes notice since March Z. At
Sasebo, the naval station, everything is
exceedingly busy. The Tatsu affair
has caused a sensation in the navy, and
some action in this department is sur
miseds
a dispatch under date March 8 from
Toxic announced that part of the
first Japanese naval squadron was to
leave port on March IA. Coaling and
other preparations for departure were
proceeding rapidly. AZ the Office of the
Admiralty In Toxic it was declared that
the squadron was about to begin a
series OF mancuvres. 1t was pointed
out further that this fact was an
nounced two months ago and that
therefore the activity at Sasebo should
not necessarily be considered in con-
nection with the difficulty with China
1it3Sltf3 AIOiii AiN lilSa Wal lHNl1NliAs
PEKIN, March l4.-The negotiations
looking to a settlement of the difficulty
between China and Japan, growing out
Of the seizure by China of the Japanese
steamer Tatsu Maru, are making faz
vorable progress. The Chinese Foreign
Board today approved the draft of a
document in which China accepts the
IC hx. To 81 aX
China will pay Japan q, 400 yen tabout
$40, ,700) and retain the arms that form
the cargo OF the Tatsu Marlt and she
Will pay also about 10000 taels de-
nurrage on the steamer II is ex-
pected that the Tatsu Maru will be re-
leased March 16 In addition Japan
agrees to adopt and enforce strict reg
ulations to prevent future traffic In
arms and ammunition from Japan into
China. but she refuses to include the
territory of Macao in this limitation.
China will soon take up negotiations
with Portugal regarding the contra
band traffic at Macao. She hopes that
an accurate delimitation of Portuguese
waters at Macao now will be secured,
and that the gambling, for which
Macao Is notorious, as well as the
SDluSSHIlS uDHG lHIbu6h liie1L polNt may
be materially restricted.
There was further conference here
yesterday between Baron Hayashi, the
Japanese Minister to China, and Ma
tung and Yuan Shih I<ai, representing
the Pekin government, over the Jap
anese steamship Tatsu Maru. No final
understanding was reached, however,
and the discussion of the matter is to
be continued.
Baron Hayashi proposed that China
pay the purchase price. something over
$4,000. of the arms on board the Tatsu
Maru. if she insisted upon their reten-
ton, as well as demurrage for the time
The vessel has been in the hands of the
Chinese authorities. He insisted. how
ever. that China release the steamship
and that Chinese warships fire salute
to her flag in the presence of the Jap
anese consul In consideration of this
Japan would reinduish her claim for
payment for the arms and leave the
rnatter of the punishment of the Of
ficials who are responsible for the
lowering of the Japanese flag on the
Tatsu Maru TO the discretion Of China.
To these proposals China replied that
she was willing to restore the vessel
and incorporate an apology for the flag
incident in the final settlement.
China has presented her side of the
case to the diplomatic representatives
lin Pekin of the several powersa