The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-18
Rights of Foreigners TO Trade There
Cannot BE Ignored without Con-
sent of All the Powers.
INCREASE OF CUSTOMS DUES
STILL THE BONE OF CONTENTION AT
THE CHINESE CAPITAL.
United States VIII Consent to Discuss
the Proposed Increase in Order
to Hasten Settlement.

WASHINGTON. July LIT is under
stood TO be the desire of some of the pow
ers that the disposition of Manchuria
should go before the ministers al Peking
and be determined by a joint agreement
among the powers. Although no definite
step has been taken 1T has been discussed
by foreign representatives here who ex-
pect this plan will be adopted.
Russia, it is expected. will be reluctant
to agree to It, Attention has been directed
to the latter by reports that Russia had
resumed direct negotiations with China con-
cernng Manchuria apd also by yesterdays
cablegram stating that a Russian procla-
nation was about to be issued establishing
Nieu-Chwang a Russian port. As to the
report that Russia will proclaim Nieu-
Chwang to be a Russian port 1t Is pointed
out in diplomatic quarters that Nieu-
'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
there. The rights of trade could not be
divested in the opinion of diplomatic Of
ficials by a Russian proclamation unless
the powers had previously given assent.
Thus far, however. there has been no re-
quest from Russia or China for any change
in the status Of Nieu-Chwang as ore of
the treaty ports.
Mr.. Rockhill, our special commissioner at
Peking, has been instructed TO give the
assent of the United States to the discus
sion of the proposition to increase the
Chinese customs duties in order to provide
for the payment Of the indemities. Our gov
ernment is still opposed to this project
q m
erence to the universal wish for a speedy
conclusion of the negotiations at Peking.
1t is learned that the hitch in these nego-
tiations, 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 orig
inal judgment that a great error was being
made by the ministers in forcing China to
pay the heavy idemnity demanded. 1t was
strongly contended that the indemnity was
far beyond the ability of the Chinese gov
ernment to pay under ordinary conditions.
The United States was overruled, and now
the very powers that took issue with us
have come around 10 the belief that the
Chinese ordinary revenues are not suffi-
cient hence the proposition TO double the
customs duties Great Britain maintains
that as she and the United States send into
China the ggsater part of the commerce
which would thus be doubly taxed, the
proposition amounts TO making those two
countries assume the burden of the Chinese
indemnity.
In spirit which has aroused the keenest
admira ton of the State Department the
Japanese government has met the diff
fculty growing out of the preference of her
request for an increase of her indemnity
by withdra wing that request. The result is
a substantial loss to Japan. She asked
originally for s23.0O0.OoO. This figure was
more moderate than any of the powers
which played any important part in the
Chinese campaign and represented the
barest expense of the undertaking. 1t was
fixed on the idea that the payment was TO
be made In cash by China Confronted by
the bond payment the japanese government
asked that her allotment be increased TO
So, 900 900 in bonds to make good the loss
she would suffer through the sale of the
bonds. AS soon as some of the other ma
tions found that the allotment as original
ly fixed in danger of being disturbed
they came with increased demands and
thus it is that Japan. finding that insistence
upon her demand would blockade the nego-
tiationS of this phase, has withdrawn her
request for the present at least 1t is safe
to assume that the United Safes govern
ment will do what 1t can to secure COM
pensation for japan in some other way in
the future.