The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-18
JAPAN CALLS QUITS
WITHDRAWs HER DEMAND FOR AN
INCREASE IN INDEMNITY
FROM CHINA
WHO IS TO PAY THE PIPER
ROckhiII Is Instructed to Discuss
Question of Increasing Customs
Duties With Representatives
of Other Powers.

WASHINGTON, July lin a spirit
which has aroused the keenest admiration
Of the state department, the Japanese
government has met the difficulty grow
ing out of the preference of her request
for an increase of her indemnity by with
drawing the request. The result is a
substantial loss to Japan. She asked
originally for $23,OOO,C0O This figure was
more moderate than amy of the powers
which played any prominent part in the
Chinese campaign, and represented the
barest expense of the undertaking. 1t
was fixed upon the idea that the pay
ment was to be made in cash by China
Confronted with the bond payment, the
Japanese government asked that her al
lotment be increased to $27,000,GOO in bonds
to make good the loss she would suffer
through the sale of the bonds.
AS soon as some of the other nations
found that the allotment originally fixed
was in danger of being disturbed, they
came in with increased demands, and
thus it is that Japan, finding that in
sistence upon her demand will blockade
the negotiations at this phase, has With
drawn her request, for the present at
least. 1t is safe to assume that the
United States government will do what
it can to secure compensation for Japan,
in some other way in the future.
INCREASE OF CUSIOMS.
Mr.. Rockhll, our special commissioner
at Pekin, has been instructed to give the
assent of the United states to the dis
cussion of the proposition to increase the
Chinese customs duties, in order to pro-
vide means for the payment of the inter
national indemnity. Our government is
still opposed to this project, and the in
struction is sent only in Difference to the
universal wish for speedy conclusion
of the negotiations at Pekin. 1t is
learned that the hitch in these negotia-
tons, the most battling that has yet oc-
CURED, Is due entirely to the issue raised
as to the increase of customs.
The United States government feels
that this issue has completely justified
it's original judgment, that great error
was being made by the ministers in fore
ing China to pay the heavy indemnity
demanded It was strongly contended
chat the indemnity was far beyond the
ability of the Chinese government to pay
under ordinary conditions The United
States was overruled, and now the very
powers that took issue with us have come
around to the belief that the Chinese
ordinary revenues are not sufficient;
hence the propositiCh to double the GUS
toms duties. Great Britain maintains
that as she and the United States send
into China the greater part of the COM
merce which would thus be doubly taxed
the proposition amounts to making these
two countries assume the burden of the
! Chinese indemnity
FUTURE OF MANCHURIA.
It is understood to be the desire of
some of the great powers that the dis
position of Manchuria shall go before
the ministers at Pekin and be finally
determined by a joint agreement among
the powers Although no definite step
has been taken in that direction, it is
being discussed by foreign representatives
stationed here who fully expect that the
plan will be adopted.
Russia, it is expected will be reluctant
to agree to it. Attention has been di-
rected to the latter by reports that Rus
STA had resumed direct negotiations with
China concerning Manchuria and also
by yesterdays cablegram stating that a
Russian proclamation was about to be
issued making New Chwang a Rus
sian port.
AS to the report that Russia will pro-
IN New Chwang to be a Russian port,
it is pointed out in diplomatic quarters
that New ChWang is a treaty port, and, as
SUCH open to the commerce of the world,
under the existing tariff regulations with
| China and foreign merchants have the
right to trade and conduct terms there
| These rights of trade cannot be diverted
in the opinion of diplomatic officials by
a Russian proclamation, unless the pow
ers previously give consent. Thus far
however, there has been no request from
Russia or China for any change in the
status of New Chwang as one of the
treaty ports.
DISORDER AT PEKIN
PEKIN, July 17.-Disorder and lawless-
ness have greatly increased in Pek,n
since the policing of city was restored to
the Chinese authorities. There are nightly
burglaries by large bands of depredators,
while Chinese in the employ of Euro
peans are frequently beaten and robbed
The German military authorities here
! have arranged for the withdrawal of all
German troops in Pekin, except the per-
manent establishment early in August