The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-07-18
PLAN PAYMENT OF
CHINESE INDEMNITY
Proposition of Powers to IN
crease Customs Duties.
UNITED STATES OPPOSES
AMERICA AND ENGLAND WOULD
BEAR BURDEN OF TAX.

! Washington. July lit is understood
to be the desire of some of the great
| powers that the disposition Of Manchuria
should 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 lis being discussed by for
| eign representatives stationed here. who
I Iully expect that the plan will be adopted.
Russia. it is believed, Will be reluctant
to agree to it Attention has been di-
rected to the latter by reports that Rus
Sld mad resumed direct negotiations with
CHINA concerning Manchuria and also by
yesterdays cablegram stating that a
RUSSIAN proclamation was about to be is
| sued, prOclaiming New ChWang as a Rus
SIN port.
As to the report that Russia will pro-
claim New ChWang to be a Russian port
! Il is pointed out in diplomatic quarters
Tnat New Chwang IS treaty port and
world, under the existing tariff regula-
tons with China. and foreign merchants
nave the right TO trade and to conduct
establishments there These rights Of
trade could not be diverted in the oDiu-
ion of diplomatic officials, by a Russian
proclamation unless the powers had pre-
vlOuSly given assent. Thus far. how
ever there mas been no request from Rus
STA or China for any change in the status
OF New Chwang as one OF the treaty
ports.
Mr.. Rockhul. our special commissioner
at Pekin, 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 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 a speedy conclusion
of the negotiations at PelIin. Tt is learned
that the hitch in these negotiations. the
most battling that has yet occurred, is
due entirely to the issue raised as to the
increase of customs.
Japan Withdraws Claim.
In a spirit which aroused the keenest
admiration of the state department. the
Japanese government has met the diff
Guilty growing out Of the preference OF her
request Tor an increase OF her indemnity
from China by withdrawing that request.
The result Is a. substantial loss to Japan.
She asked originally for S25,00o.C00- This
flgure was more moderate than any OF
the powers which played any prominent
part al the Chinese cam aIgn and repre-
scented the barest expense of the under
taking. 1t was fixed upon the idea that
payment was TO be made in cash by
China. Confronted with the bond pay
ment; the, japanese government asked
that her allotment be increased to 81, OO9.-
053 in bonds, to make good the loss she
would suffer through the sale OF the
bonds
A. soon as some of the other nations
found that the allotment As originally
fixed was in danger OF being disJurbeS.
IneN came IN win increased demands ana
thus it is that Japan. finding that IN
Sistenc5 upon her demand would block
the negotiations at this phase has with
drawn her claim, for the present at least
It Is safe to assume that the United
States government Will do what Il can 10
secure comp 5nsati for Japan in some
other wa Tor the future.
The United States government takes the
position that this country is completely
justified in its original judgment that d
great error was bang made by the min
50 d 10 "A Y
Indemnity demanded. 1t was strongly
cOutended that the indemnity was Iar
beyond the ability of the Chinese govern
I-rut to pay under ordinary conditions.
The United States was overruled and
row the very powers that took issue
with us have come around to the belief
that the Chinese ordinary revenues are
not sufficient: hence the proposition to
double the customs duties. Great Brit
ain mamt3ins that as she and the United
States send into China the greater part
OF he commerce which would thus be
doubled in tax, the proposition amounts
TO make these two countries assume The
burden of the Chinese indemnity.