The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-10-06
WAR INDEMNIIlES.
The Penalties Inp"sed by Nations Upon
Their Conquered Toes.

imposed by a conqueror upon his de-
feated foe were those to which Ger
many subjected France in 1871, at
the close of the historic conflict that
eliminated in the capitulation of Paris.
They consisted of the cession of the
major portion of Alsace and of Lor-
raine, including the great fortresscs of
Strasburg and of Metz, and the pay
ment of war indemnity amounting to
the colossal sum of 81 200, 100000. The
entire civilized world was startled by
the magnitude of the sum, and very
widespread doubts were expressed as
to whether poor France, which was
believed to be crushed beyond recov-
cry. would ever be able to pay. But
these apprehensions proved to be un-
founded, and the billion of dollars was
paid with such rapidity and with so
little apparent effort that Prince Bis
marck and the German authorities,
past and present, have never ceased
to lament ever since that they did not
stipulate for double the amount. This
indemnity is worthy of especial no
tice, for the reason that 1t greatly ex-
ceeded the actual expense to which
Germany was put by the war, and
was therefore punitive or moral
and intellectual damage" indemnity,
to some extent, such as "Oom" Paul
Kruger wanted to collect from Eng
land for the Jameson raid. In the war
Of 1901. the time was twenty-eight
weeks from the entrance of German
troops into French territory to the
surrender of Belfort. The German
troops engaged may be taken, for
practical purposes. as an even million,
the official figures of the active forces
being ISL ZOO at the commencement of
the war and $4,000 at its close. The
total German losses are placed ut 12S.-
600, the killed alone numbering 29,-
600.
Germany therefore received In cash
$35 a week for each mans services, or
$4,000 for each man lost; on the whole
pretty good pay. But Germany-or
Prussia-has habit that way. Only
four years before the war with France
she took S41, ,750. 900 from Austria and
her allies, beside $3.750.ooO requisi-
toned during the campaign. This war
lasted only q month. Prussia had
437, 200 men In the field. and lost H.
600. The indemnity gave her S25 a
week for each mans services or $4,-
250 for each man lost. However. 1t
was an enormously expensive war for
Prussia, costing her some s115,OOO,-
900, so that the indemnity did not
mako her balance good.
1t is thanks to the Intervention Of
Russia that Japan was prevented from
exacting an indemnity of analogous
proportions at the close Of her war
with China. She was forced to con-
tent herself with a mere bagatel!e of
S1S5 100000, receiving in addition
thereto the island of Formosa and the
Pescadores. neither of which had ever
been Of any use, either financial or
political, to China, and which will
make necessary the expenditure of
much treasure and life before Japan
can derive any profit therefrom. The
war lasted about nine months and S0,-
600 troops We're engaged ON Japan's
side. The indemnity paid. therefore,
$50 a week for each man.
The Turko-R Russian war of 1877
came to a close with the treaty of San
Stefano. the terms of which were re-
vised in 1873 by the congress of Ber-
lin. They comprised, among other
things, the surrender of the sultan's
protectorate over Roumania and Ser.
via, the practical abandonment to Aus.
tria of Herzegovina and Bosnia, the
grant Of independence to Bulgaria and
Of autonomy to Rumelia, the Prince of
Bulgaria remaining, however, subject
to the suzerainty Of the sultan. The
treaty likewise provided for the ces-
sion of a strip of Turkish territory to
Greece, but this clause was never en-
forced. and finally the Sublime Porte
was compelled to pay war indemnity
to Russia amounting to the sum OF
$160. 100000. Russia demanded a much
larger Indemnity than that, however.
For costs of the war she demanded
$3.50, ,00S, 900. and for losses to Russian
subjects and Russian commerce $751;
100000, a total of SOL 100000. The
indemnity finally awarded to her in
cash and land amounts to $6.25 week
for each soldier engaged in the war.
Great Britain has received two In
IDENTITIES of considerable amount from
China. The first was one OF $20,000.00
altogether. but part of it went to COM
pensate merchants for opium deliv-
cred up to the Chinese government.
nd the portion specifically claimed on
account of the expenses of the expe-
dition just equalled the vote Of credit.
The second Indemnity, of 1860. was
about $10.000.000. or less than one
third Of the vote of credit for the war.
The settlement Of Canada's claim for
indemnity for the Fenian raids from
this country is noteworthy. By the
frst raid Canada lost six men killed
and thlrty-one wounded; she had 10
call 10000 volunteers to arms; she had
to guard the frontier with 1900 reg.
ulars and volunteers, as well as sew
eral gunboats on the rivers and lakes.
Her farmers lost heavily. as the raid
occurred at a busy time of the year: