C
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
566
C.O.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[12738]
No. 1.
60
Rece (RAD 26 MAY 08
[April 13.]
SECTION 2.
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received April 13.)
(No. 67.) Sir,
Tokió, March 18, 1908. IN continuation of my despatch No. 59 of yesterday's date I have the honour to report that the terms of the settlement of the "Tatsu Maru" case were published in this morning's paper. Baron Chinda, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, waited upon me and gave me a correct version of these terms, a translation of which I have the honour to inclose. It will be observed that the terms are practically those which Count Hayashi mentioned to me on the 12th instant, and which I telegraphed to you and to Sir John Jordan on that day; the only difference being that the Chinese officials guilty of improper conduct are to be reprimanded by the Viceroy of Canton; and if after investigation, presumably by the Chinese, certain officials are found to be responsible in connection with the detention of the "Tatsu Maru,” action is to be taken also by the Chinese authorities. I pointed this discrepancy out to Baron Chinda and he said that the addition had been inserted to placate the Japanese public, for it went without saying that no officials would be reprimanded, neither would any action be taken by the Chinese authorities, so that the terms arrived at were practically those mentioned to me by Count Hayashi. Baron Chinda on leaving said that he had been deputed by Count Hayashi to express to me on behalf of himself and the Japanese Government their sincere thanks to His Majesty's Government for their mediation and kindly offices in this incident and also their gratitude and appreciation of the excellent services which Sir John Jordan had rendered in assisting to bring about a satisfactory solution.
23.66
I beg to inclose the comments of some of the more important Japanese papers,* from which it would appear that on the whole the Japanese people are satisfied with the settlement arrived at.
(Translation.)
I have, &c.
(Signed) CLAUDE M. MacDONALD.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Terms of the "Tatsu Maru" Settlement.
1. THE Viceroy to be caused to reprimand and (or) punish the officials guilty of improper conduct in regard to the lowering of the flag, and the Chinese Government to cause a war-ship to fire a salute, in the presence of the Japanese Consul near the "Tatsu Maru's" place of anchorage.
2. The "Tatsu Maru" to be at once released.
3. The arms and ammunition to be bought by the Chinese Government.
4. Action to be taken, after investigation of the facts, in regard to the officials held to be responsible in connection with the detention of the "Tatsu Maru."
5. Compensation to be made for losses caused by the detention of the "Tatsu Maru," the amount to be agreed upon by the Viceroy of Canton and the Japanese Consul.
* Not printed.
[2921]
-2]