The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-31
Past War Indemnities.


| When the United States had conquered
Mexico there was good deal OF talk
about European interference IN the terms
| of the treaty of peace, but the powers
| found their Informal suggestions were re
| ceived eoldly and did not press the mat
ter. This was the first war in which We
got an indemnity, and in fact the only
one. Such an indemnity is required some
times in territory. sometimes in money
and sometimes in both. Compensation
with Mexico was exacted only in territory
because of the poverty of our nelghboT-
ing nation. The cost OF the war had been
about Sle0. 600 600. and we took California
and New Mexico in payment therefor and
gave $1,000 900 10 Mexico. so well were
we satisfied with The bargain.
China has lost much money and more
territory paid out in indemnities. The
three wars with Great Britain of 1910,
1857 and 1850 lost 70 her Hong-kong. cost
on indemnity Of SIS. 90. 600 and opened sew
eral ports TO trade.
The treaty of Prague that marked the
close of the war between Prussia and
Austria in 1856 provided not alone for
the cession of territory by the vanqushed
and the exclusion of Austria from the
German bund. but also an indemnity Of
20. 600. 900 thalers or $50 eo0O 90. a good price
for seven weeks OF war.
France paid the greatest war indemnity
that has been exacIed since the days
when conquest meant the practically alb
solute confiscation of all of the private
property of the enemy's subjects. After
the capture of Paris Emperor William de-
manded the payment OF 6.00o. 900 GO francs
or 81 200 90. GO. by the presumptuous na-
ton that had dared to oppose his armies.
NJ Theirs succeeded in having this re-
duced 10 5000 900 900 francs. or 81. coo GO Cao.
The hardest blow 10 France was the max
ing of Alsace and Lorraine German Ter
ritory.
Russia punished Turkey severely for her
temerity in waging the war OF 1STI. The
treaty of Stefano. signed even months
after the beginning OF the war. provided
that the sultan should pay an indemnity
OF 40. 900. 600 rubles. or $3.50 600 600. About
one-half of this was in payment for the
cost of the war and the other half was
for damage done by Turks 10 citizens of
Russia. The car preferred territory 10
cash. and the sultan. having more of She
former than the latter article. willingly
agreed 10 cede part of his land. The
powers allowed Turkey 10 make such
cessiOn as they approved, and the war
led directly TO the great treaty Of Ber-
lin. which was 10 settle the eastern Ques-
ton, and to everybody's surprise has set
tied IL for twenty years at least.
Japan believes she was dsfrauded Of the
just fruits of her victory over China
Yet the mikado eXGcted from the celestial
emperor a sum amounting 10 nearly 600
600. 900 and added 10 his territory the is
land Of FoTmOsa as a result Of the terms
of the treaty ratified al Chefoo May $,
1885 The island. whose soil is said % be
the richest in the world. was a splendid
prize Its area is as great as that of Mass
achusetts and Connecticut combined and
its population 100000. The recognition Of
the independence Of Corea, for which the
war was waged, also followed
War was losing investment for the
Sultan of Turkey. when he fought Greece
last year. The powers would not let him
extct an indemnity of more than $40
OO0. 600 which was not more than fourth
of what the war actually cost the Grand
Turk But Greece was poor. and the
adding of new debt 10 her already over
whelming obligations would have swamp
ed the nation.