The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-24
Means the Dissolution Of That
Vast Territory.
UNCLE SAM is MODEST
Thinks Two Hundred Millions
Would Be About Right
But Greedy Europeans Laugh at
Such Trifiing Sum.
Poor Old China to Pay Dearly
For Abusing Missionaries.

New York, Dec. PA special to the
Herald from Washington says;
Two hundred million dollars IS TIE
maximum sum the administration wants
the powers to demand of China as iu-
demnity yet the figures are likely 20 o.
many times that amount. The tnitoa
States army has a deficiency OF $ll,y9l.-
600 for transportation and army supplies
and most Of that is charged against
China.
A determined effort will be made by
the president and Secretary Hay 70 IN
duce the powers to consent TO the arb
tratfon of the indemnity question BY a
court to be appointed in conformity with
the provisions OF The Hague treaty
Article of the agreement, signed by
the foreign ministers In Pelxin requires
the payment by China OF equitable in-
IDENTITIES of a very sweeping chafactt T.
The indemnity to be paid TO the govern
ments is in the nature Of restitution OF
the expenses incurred in dispatching and
maintaining troops in China. ana IL ls
feared may be made to include sums 10
be paid to the heirs of those killed ~ ac-
tion, or to those who received wounds
during the engagements incident 70 the
capture of Pekin.
The total losses OF the allied forces
defending the legations were 81 killed
and 12O wounded and many Chinese ia
the employ Of missionaries and the lega-
tions lost their lives. An idea Of the in-
demnity to be demanded for the eNper-
ses of the several military expeditions
ing the strength Of the allies.
Russia 4S,5OO men, brought from 81
beria
Japan 22,575 men, transported from
Germany $500 men and A guns. all
but a few hundred OF whom. stationed
before the outbreak occurred at kiou
Chou, were brought from Germany.
Great Britain S.746 men. brought from
Hong Kong and india
United States 5.6lS men. dispatched
from the Philippines and the United
States.
France 5.s7s men. sent 20 the north
from Cochin China
Italy 1000 men, transported from l.-
ally.
Austria 2s4 men, landed from her war
ships.
The societies named in the note OF the
powers are the religious bodies which
maintain missionaries in China. many or
whom were killed. They viii not only
want heavy sums to Indemnify the heirs
of those killed but to solace those who
were insulted, and also 20 repair the
damage done in the destruction OF mis-
sion property. Many merchants suffer-
ed losses in consequence OF the outrages.
The American legation IN Peldn was
owned by Colonel Charles DENLY, Mr.
Conger's predecessor, and the other lc-
cations were also owned by foreigners
or foreign governments.
1t will thus be seen that the amount
Of indemnity will assume gigantic nE-
amount demanded should not be more
than $500 00G, 900 and that I'm case Of in
ability to properly distribute the in
demnity the matter should be brought
to the attention Of The Hague court. In
case, however, 1t should develop that IL
is impossible to agree on a reasonable
sum, then this government Will urge the
immediate reference of the whole in
demnity question to a court OF five jur-
lists to be selected from those members
of The Hague tribunal nominated by
countries whose interests were not
largely affected by the Chinese trouble.
It is pointed out that there are 16 ma
tionS signatOry to the The Hague treaty.
ten only Of whom were involved I'm the
Chinese trouble The remaining siA
Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The
Netherlands. Roumania and Portugal.
have appointed or VIII apOpint. III tuc
precedent fixed by the other powers is
followed, their ablest Jurists. so that
there would be no difficulty in the wav
of getting an unbiased court. Claimants
could submit their claims to this court.
which would receive and consider them.
SPANISH MINISTER TO ACT.
Pelxin. Dec. 24-Li Hung Chang. an
swering an inquiry from the foreign en-
voys regarding his health. said he be-
lieved he would be able to attend the
meeting in order to accept, with Prince
Ching. the preliminary joint note
The note will be presented Dy the
Spanish minister, Senor b. ]. De Colo
gan, dean Of the diplomatic corps with
a few words expressive Of a hope OF as
prompt a reply as possible to note
which has been carefully prepared with
every desire to continue the dynasty and
not to be hard toward the nation, and
of further hope that the Chinese pleni-
potentiaries viii urge upon Emperor
Kwang Su the necessity OF immediate
compliance.
IA answer is expected about Thursday.