The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-22
QUESTION.
Another Proposition Advanced by the
United States Goxernment.

WASHINGTON. March 2l.-To-day's adj
vices from Mr.. Rockhill, our special COM
missioner at Picking. are OF a more hopeful
tone than those Immediately preceding. for
they indicate thai the subject of indem-
mites is being discussed with an appar-
ent disposition to reach a unanimous con-
clusion. The United States proposition,
looking to the agreement of the powers on
a lump sun for indemnities, fixed by the
ability of the Chinese 70 pay without de-
stroying the government, seems to be grow
ing in favor. But the difficulty is that
while perhaps the majority of the powers,
even all Of them, might be induced to ac-
cept the principle of thus gauging the bur
den to the strength of China, they are
far from unanimous as to the method Of
distribution of this money among them
selves. So far, although no less than three
schemes of valuation have been considered
at Picking, it has not been possible to Sc
cure the adoption of any one. Without dis
placing the pending proposition. the United
States government has advanced another
and radically different proposition-name-
ly, to divide the total indemnity collected,
say $500. 000. 900. into eight parts, of which
the United States would receive one. 1t
Is true that ten powers are represented at
Feking. but at least two of them had no
foundation for a claim for an indemnity
A number of foreign representatives
called at the state department lD-UdN, all
interested in China and all keenly aroused
over the progress of negotiations concern
ing indemnities. Among them was the
British ambassador. Lord Pauncefote; the
Russian ambassador, Count Cassini; the
German ambassador, DIR. Won Holleben: the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon; the jap
anese minister, Mr.. Takahira, and the Bel
gian minister, Count Lichtervelde. Each
had separate and rather long conferences
with Secretary Hay. Aside from these the
ambassadors and ministers gathered IN
groups in the ante-room leading to the Dip
lomatic chamber and discussed with ami
nation the progress of events in the far
East. The Russian view as to indemnities
appears TO coincide with that Of the United
States, being favorable TO keeping the
amount down TO a sum which there is some
prospect that China can pay. instead Of
placing ii so high that China's inability
TO pay will result in a territorial scramble.
mized the troubles at Tien-Tsin, and il was
not brought up in the conference with Mr.
Hay, except by one of the continental rep
resentatives, who pointed out that the clash
between the soldiers did not refer TO the
trained soldiers of the several powers, but
TO the native cOntingents from India and
Cochin-China.
The idea of a gross indemnity of $780,
600, 900, to be divided into eight equal parts,
does not seem to meet with approval in
diplomatic quarters, as ii is pointed out
that some countries have been put TO far
more expense than others, especially i'm the
matter of moving troops. 1t is felt by the
foreign representatives that there are spe-
cial considerations that will interfere with
an equal sharing between all the powers.