Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-02
THE FUTURE IN CHINA
Three Far-Reaching Questions to Be
Determined.
REMOVAL OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER
Increase of Customs to Create an
Indemnity Fund.
NEW FOREIGN OFFICE

1t was stated today in quarters well
versed in Chinese affairs that outside of
the questions of indemnity, punishments.
ETC., now under negotiation at Pekin. there
are three more vital and far-reachin ques-
tions to be determined. viz, first, the re-
moval of the empress dowager personally
and through the influence of her advisers
| from all participation in the Chinese gov
eminent; second, the creation of an indem-
nifty fund by the increase of China's Gus
toms revenue. either by the payment of the
duties in gold, instead of appreciated silver,
as at present, or else by doubling the pres
ent silver duties from per cent to 10 per
cent ad valorem; and, third. the establish
ment OF a minister of foreign affairs. in
place OF the old and cumbersome system of
the tsung Ii yamen.
Retirement of the EmDress
The proposed retirement of the empress
dowaser is said to result from the conclu-
sion. now generally accepted. that the i'm
perlal government of China was responsible
lor the Boxer uprising. AS the empress
uo"ager was the ruling authority of the
imperial government during the uprising
mat responsibility is now brought home di-
rectlI 10 Her. There is understood to be no
purpose, however, to visit upon her any
personal punishment or indignty, but mere
~ TO SO form the reconstructed govern
80 " SACiute HeF from all DarticiDa-
ton in it, 1t is deemed advisable for that
reason, that she should remain permanent
~ away from Pekin, and that her advisers
a s,H, should be Kept away from the seat of
government That would restore the al1-
thorlty OF the emperor and place about him
ADVISERS OF broad and enlightened views.
Increase in Chinese Duties.
The plan of doubling China's customs du-
Ties has arisen from the need of finding a
source to pay war tndemnities which the
various powers demand. 1t appears. how
ever, that the increase Of the duties has
heretofore been brought to the attention
OF the United States government by Ii
lung Nnahg. Ihat occurred during his
visit to Washington few years ago At
mat time, accompanied by ex-secretary
roster the Chinese statesman laid the
question OF increased duties before the then
1t was represented that the per cent rate
was fixed in 1858 by treaties with the
United States. Great Britain and other
countries, and was payable in silver At
gold. But with the present change of value
between silver and gold Ii Hung Chang
pointed out that China's 8 per cent duty
IN n silver actually Melted only. about
standard Mr.. aCrlisle is said to have
sympathized with the justice of the Chi
nese proposal The matter was also brought
to the attention of Secretaries Lamont
and Olney. The latter took the view that
the increase of duty would not be expedient
unless through concurrent action by all of
the powers having interests in China. The
matter was not pressed at that time, as
the adherence of the other powers could
not be secured.
At present, however. all of the powers
nave joint interest in giving China suffi
cient revenue to meet the indemnities Her
present customs revenues said to be
already pledged to meet the interest and
principal of Chinese loans, so that it will
require some entirely new source to meet
the indemnities. In case the enlarged du-
ties are determined upon, 1t is understood
that their collection will be placed under
the supervision of representatives of the
powers. at least. until the indemnities are
paid. In support of the increased duties
it is urged that that would give such a
certain medium for meeting the indemnities
as to ohviate the possibility of seizure
of territory for want of other indemnity.
Replacing the TsunE LII Yamen.
The plan of substituting minister of for
egn affairs in place of the tsung Ii va
men has long been in contemplat ton, as
foreign representatives have found 1t very
difficult to deal with that mixed body and
to locate responsibility upon it, particularly
durig the Boxer troubles.