The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-11-21
DIsMEMBERMENT PROBABLE.

NEW YORK. nov. 2O-The China ne
gotlations. according to a dispatch to
the Times from Washington. have
reached a most serious stage. The ac-
tions OF the powers are making par
tition almost inevitable The United
States faces the probability that It
VIII either have to take a slice OF China
or 80 without any indemnity. In that
case II is positively asserted by high
authorities that the United States will
go without indemnity.
The United States may succeed in re-
ducing the demands OF other powers
and Is now making every effort to that
end. but with no immediate prospect
Of success.
Every nation has disavowed any in
tentIon Of dismembering China but that
merely relates TO dismemberment as a
punishment for the Boxer outrages. No
nation has pledged itself to avoid TAX
ing a course which will sooner OF later
make dismemberment Inevitable. II is
firmly believed In official circles In
Washington that the powers are pro-
ceeding deliberately with the intention
OF bringing about a situation which will
compel dlsmemberment.
The whole question hinges upon the
amount OF money indemnity to be de-
manded. While the United States has
not officially set a maximum figure for
the indemnity, it is the unofficial opin-
ion OF some OF the highest officers Of
the government that S2OO,OOOOOO is all
that China can pay. The powers are
desirous OF swelling the indemnity to at
least twice that amount
Two courses are considered for the
payment OF this large indemnity. Each
is innocent on its face but both mean
partition. and the American govern
ment is so sure OF It that as soon as the
powers adopt either course this country
win retire from the concert and lose
all but a faint chance Of ever recover
ing any indemnity
One course is to exact territorial
pledges. This is the same thing as par
tltlon. for 1t simply means a mortgage
which is certain to be foreclosed. The
United States will not have anything
to do with the scheme.
The other plan is to have China issue
bonds guaranteed by the powers. This,
in the opinion Of the American govern
ment. means partition Just as surely as
the first scheme. The bondholders
would have recourse TO the guarantors
who would not fulfill their guarantees
except by taking territory Partition
by this means may appear a thing Of
the distant future. but high official of
the government has recently given 1t
as his deliberate opinion that the bond
scheme would bring about partition al
most as soon as the other. The United
States win not guarantee any bonds.
How the United States can collect its
indemnity II it does stay out is mys-
terry. The government officials frankly
give up the conundrum The United
States viii not, Of course, surrender its
claim and give China receipt In full.
1t viii endeavor in every way possible
to get its indemnity, but there is no
way open in the immediate future If the
powers carry out their plans.
The Unltesi States has, therefore, only
one way of getting indemnity. That is
by inducing the other powers to reduce
their demands to an indemnity which
China is able to pay. The administra-
lion is hopeful of success. but so far
IL has made no progress and the
chances seem to be all against it.
The United States spent about go
poo. 900 In going to Pekln and this coun-
Iry's demand for damage to person and
property may range from s1O,0OOOOO to
l2O.OOO,OOO. But the other powers are
actively swelling their expenses as
much as possible.
ENGLISH PRESS IMPATIENT
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