Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-12

more direct communication with their country
than all the nations OF Europe together.
The Chinese Indemnity Fund.
During the hostilities between the combined
French and English forces aud the Chinese in
the war of 1856, the foreign settlement at Can.
ton was destroyed by The Chinese. The celestials
had the woisI of the fight of course, and as
consequence had some pretty heavy bills to pay.
Among the rest our minister, Mr.. Reed, demand
cd compensation for the losses of American cit
liens. The claims presented by them amounted
10 more than million and quarter Of dollars,
but Mr. Reed, satisfied that many of them were
spurious or exaggerated, offered to accept $685.
600 with a proviso that, if there should be any
remainder after the allowance of all just claims
and interest, the excess should be refunded to
the Chinese government. The Chinese commits
siocers, however, prelerring to make an end OF
the matter at once, proposed TO pay 500 900 as
full indemnity without the proviso.
This offer was accepted and the money
paid. A board of adjudication, estab-
lished by authority of congress, subse-
quently canvassed all the claims aud paid in
full the amounts justly due, leaving surplus
of about $4,000. This business was con-
cludcd in 1860. The money remained in China
until 1867, when it was RENTED to this country
and converted into United States bonds The
fund remains in the custody of the secretary Ct
state, who reported its amount TWO years ago to
be S421,Oo0. 1t must, therefore, by this time be
worth not less than S45O,OOO. During the win
ter Of 1870 a resolution offered in congress to
cover this amount into the treasury for the gen.
eral purposes of the government was referred to
committee which made no report on the sub
ject. This is the history in brief of the "Chi-
nese indemnity fund" which is the subject OF
some discussion just now.
What is the best and most appropriate use fol
it? 1t has been accumulating for twelve years
now, and there is no reason why it should re
main longer unemployed. 1t has been suggest
cd that, as it was paid for a specific purpose
which il was more than suffi cient to accomplish
the surplus should first of all be offered to the
Chinese government This, it is said, has been
done informally, but the proposal was declined
If the surplus were honestly due to the Chinese
perhaps they should have an opportunity to de
cline formal offer, although, as somebody else
suggests, they would rot probably make so good
d use of it as II is in our power to do. But the
money seems to be equitably and morally, as
well as technically, the property Of the United
States. The original bargain was apparently
fair, since our government took the risk that the
valid claims might exceed Mr.. Reeds estimate,
and the proposal to pay round sum, yielding
the right TO receive back the surplus over the
amount Of the claims allowed, came from the
Chinese commissioners. The Chinese govern
ment refused TO receive proposals for its return
on the ground that it was inconsistent with its
honor and dignity 10 receive graGuity from us
or to confess that it had been over-reachcd in a
bargain. Our government, perhaps, need not
be SO scrupulous about retaining the money for
It's ordinary uses; but, as the origin of this fund
has the aspect x an over-payment, there is
some reason of proprety and honor in putting
it TO use, if such can be found, which will be
mutually advantageous TO us and the Chinese.
There is want, which, for our own advan-
tage, should be supplied, and which this fund
will meet by very fitting application of it.
This is provision for the suitable education OF
interpreters for our consular and diplomatic SER
vice in China. Other governments maintaining
dpiomatic relations with that country, make
provision ior lne support oil students in prcpa-
Iatlou LOT such uueies' WINE our officers there
nave pee'i op'l@eu 10 depend upon missionaries,
who have occupations OF their own, and are not
always available, to call in the aid of interpret
ers attached 10 other diplomatic establishments.
or trust TO natlves, whose knowledge OF
foreign tongues is confined to that grotesque
and unsatisfactory medley 'pdgn English
The want Of better facilities OF TINS Kind has