Reuter is authoritatively informed! that there is no truth in the rumour: that the Japanese have sent an ultimatum to the Swatow authority threatening to land marines unless th JChinese Customs ceases trying to collect the special rice tax from Japanese and Formosans.
On the contrary, negotiations for a friendly settlement are said to be Progressing favourably between the japanese Consul and the Swatow Earlier in the day, alarming rumours were in circulation in Chinese circles that an outbreak of trouble was inevitable. It was believéa tha: the Japanese were keeping a close watch an the European situation and might take action "as soon as an opportune moment arrives"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.