Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-31
GRANTS DICTUM,
As Kindly Expressed In japanese Indem-
niiy-General Capital News.

As Kindly Expressed In japanese Indem-
niiy-0eneral Capital News.
WASHINGTON, July 80. Chairman VIII
liams, of the house committee on foreign
affairs, has the following letter from Gen.
Grant:
"LoNG BRANCH, July "a, 1882.
To Hon. G. G. Williams, Chairman Commit.
tee on Foreign Affairs:
DEAR SIR-Seeiug there is disagree
ment in the conference commit
tee Of the senate and house
as 10 whether the refunding 10 Japan of the
indemnity exacted from that government, i'm
properly as verify believe, and was strongly
confirmed in that belief during my visit tO
by our government on bonds purchased with
the indemnity, or whether only The
principal should be paid, venture to write
you line on the subject.
l am satisfied that the money should
never have been collected. Having been col
lected, it should now be refunded, Justice
seems to me to dictate that the interest az
the house by It's action decided. But the
principle involved is of much more impor
lance TO Japan than all the money
In question, and am satisfied
that Japan would be, much better
pleased with the refunding of money exacted
without any interest than with a gross
amount larger than the original sum, but less
than that with the interest added.
Eastern countries have been so unaccus-
TONED TO stair play" from stronger powers oil
the world that this action Of congress, If con-
suInated, will be stich new departure as will
rebound to our credit, if we receive 20 other
benefit.
/ write therefore TO express the hope thai
the conference committee will agree by one OF
the other OF two branches, one favoring the
payment of the interest in full, the other pay
ing only principal, yielding entirely and moi
compromise on the part of the interest.
hope you will not regard it as an attempt to
interfere with matters of legislation on my
part, but as president took an interest in this
matter. AS traveller since, confirmed my
views previously entertained on the subject.
Expressing sincere hope that this matter
will be finally and creditably settled before
congress adjourns, / am very truly yours
U. 8. GRANT.
Psf any rate of interest should be
agreed upon in lieu of what the government
has actually received from the bonds pur-
chased witb!the idemnity, the principle involved
would be preserved, even If the rate should be
low. But the appropriation of the gross
amount to be returned without the amount
being based on any calculation of what is due
to Japan, could not in my opinion be as well
received as the admission that we hold and
have held for number of years funds actually
the property of that country, and now We
want to return it, and the question is with Oh
without interest? and if with interest at what
rate? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
authoritative on rhe Rirer and Harb0r BiII
WASHINGTON, July 30.-The Post to-mor
row will say, concerning the action of the
president upon the river and harbor bill
"We have positive information it will be re-
turned to the house tomorrow with Presi
dent Arthur's signature. This approval will
be qualified, however, with statement thai
the president will use his discretion in order
ing beginning on the less consequential i'm