Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-27
SENATOR MORGAN
Says United States Must Take No Chi
nese Territory.

Washington, Nov. Ex-senator Nor
gan Of Alabama, the ranking Demo-
cratic member of the committee on for
eign relations. has observed the devel-
opment of affairs in the Orient with
much care. ana his views upon the sit
uation there are both clear ana en-
phatic. His declarations on the parti-
lion of the Chinese empire are especial
~ vigorous.
The United States" he said. must
nave no part in the taking Of Chinese
territory, no matter what other ma
tons may do"
But suppose the indemnity asked is
greater than China can pay" was
suggested.
The premise that China cannot pay
III" indemnity asked is q false ono 10
begin with was the reply. In our
own case | venture the assertion
based upon Investigations which have
made. that all the claims for damages
from American missionaries. me chants
and everyone else who can lcgitimately
ask for recompense. will not exceed
81, 600 600. | believe if We ask lump
sum of that amount from China and
capable intelligent men to award
damages. we will find that 81 100000 will
be sufficient. I know that in the case
of the TAPPING rebellion. | think il was
when we received quite large sum
in damages from China. an investiga-
ton showed that We We're able TO re-
turn about half of the amount.
We'll. then. / think 5000. 600 will
cover our claims. Germany cannot ask
over $101, 600. 0n0. England should re-
ceive $50. 900 coo. and all other nations
about $50, coo 600. From my point Of
view 100000 900 ought to cover all that
China ought to be asked to pay. and
China can raise that amount in some
specified time
You have not mentioned Russia ?"
Il have already intiinated." replied
Senator Morgan. that the seizure of
land in China by foreign powers. /
think. however. that Russia might take
Manchura. RusSia'S position IN the
Orient is different from that Of other
nations. but she had built a wonderful
transcontnental railroad. and she had
some claim i'll the province OF Man
churia. in order to protect her railroad
into the east.
AT the same time, if Russia take5
Manchuria. she ought to also assume
responsibility for the debt of 500, 000.-
800 which falls upon China by reason
Of the foreign demands. She could
well afford TO do this. because Man
cIluria is worth twice or three times
that amount. | do not look with any
anxiety upon Russia's occupation of
Nanchuria nor do | see in the Siberian
railroad any menace TO American in
terestS.
'.On the contrary. ii seems TO me
that Russia's development OF her side
OF the Pacific means more business for
us on our side We will buy more of
her. ana she will buy more Of US. 1t
presents to me a bright commercial
prospect"
But suppose that the partition of
China proves to be a fact
If that partition comes, and | DO
not think ii will come. because | be-
lieve that Russia, Japan and the United
States will prevent any concert of ac-
ton, | still insist that We must not he
n marty to it. l do not believe that
participation will jeopardize our
interests in the least, because we Will
serve notice upon the powers mat IN"
rights and privileges which we now en-
iCv must be preserved, and that de
nand will be respected Should there
hammer to be a war between the pow
ere as the outcome Of the effort at
Spoiiation, we Will occupy position OF
armed neutrality"