Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-26
Settlement in InstallmentS Has Been
Proposed.
MOST OF THE POWERS WANT CASH
The Empress Dowager Delegates
Her Powers.
APPOINTMENT OF A BOARD

The following cablegram has been re-
ceived at the State Department from Mr.,
Squiers. the United States charge at Pekin.
dated today:
The empress dowager has appointed n
board OF national administration to relieve
her of her public functions. They en-
brace three members of the cabinet now
with the empress at Siang-Fu. and Prince
Ching. Niceroy Ii and Prince Kung. who
are now in Pekin."
This news is regarded as of import ance.
indicating as it does the REIMBURSEMENT by
the empress dowager of the arbitrary DOW
ers she has heretofore exercised IL Is
also apparent that she has placed herself
in position to avoid direct responsibility
to the foreigners for whatever may happen
In the future. From now on the board
VIII have to bear the brunt of any COM
plafnt. Still IL is felt that the apnoint-
ment Of this board will make il much
easier for the foreign ministers TO transact
business with the Chinese government and
en- the whole IT Is regarded distinctly as
an advance.
There is nominal suggestion however. i'm
the statement that the board includes the
three members Of the cabinet now at Slang
Fu. These members include the notorious
Jung-Lu, who was one of the most active
In the outbreak against the foreigners last
summer. One Of the other members of this
council is seventy years old. and is said
W Dc greatly dominated from the effects
of opium. The third member has been at
least lukewarm toward foreign interests.
The choice of these three is looked upon as
likely to complicate the good which Ii
Hung Chang and the others may accom-.
plish.
Probable Amount of Indemnity.
The foreign establishments here are re-
ceiving a number of important dispatc tches
relating to the question of indemnity ana
how 1T shall be N iced hA Chinese
loan or to each of the powers individually.
One Of the dispatches coming through a
European foreign office SAYS that Sir Rob-
ert Hart has concluded that China can pay
a total Of S2oo,000,oo0, and the impression
is conveyed that this will be the amount
agreed upon, the various claims being
scaled down to this limit.
Another dispatch comes from one Of the
most prominent Chinese officials and
plenipotentlary In the peace negotiations.
He makes suggestion, which is I'm effect
a proposition, substantially follows: lr
the amount of indemnity is agreed upon It
will he greatly to the interests of China as
we'll as to the powers il the amount payable
to each power can be met by installments
and not by a gross payment outright. In
that case China would not be obliged to ne
gotiate a large loan al an interest of about
per cent, but would deal directly with
each of the powers, meeting the INSTALL
ments as they arose: In case the total OF
all indemnities must be met I'm gross at
once China would be obliged to make a
loan at disadvantageous terms. owing TO
her present difficulties.
The Powers Want Cash.
This proposition is looked upon as quite
fair. although 1t is doubted whether all the
powers could be brought to an acceptance
of 1t. The negotiations have indicated that
most OF the powers require cash pay
ment outright. and are not disposed TO take
China's word for payment by installments-
Moreover, II the installment plan were ac-
cepted some of the powers doubtless would
seek to hold territory and maintain a large
force of troops until the last installment
was paid. Altogether the view prevails
among officials that while the proposition
is fair II is not practical and there is little
idea that ii will be favorably entertained.
Other dispatches which have passed with
in the last few days revive the idea of hav-
ing the Hague tribunal administer the in
IDENTITIES after the total is once agreed
upon. This has developed the singular fact
that some Of the officials in China ap-
parently unconscious OF the Hague tribu-
NAL and inquiries have been made TO
where it located and who were its
members. The point is yet open. however.
as to whether there shall be reference OF
the subject to the Hague.