The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-05-25
The Chinese solution.

According to the general opinion ez-
pressed today in the Pe5in dispatches
and the editorial remarks Of leading
European journals, the Chinese indem-
nifty question may be regarded as set
tied after d fashion, and not after
good one
We never have believed in the Admin
istratfon policy Of sentimental Ieniency
toward China. 1t was adopted, Of
course. TO cover the constitutional If
regularity of our proceedings in the war
Of invasion It was utilized TO make
the United States Russia's catspaw-
For that we do not blame Russia in the
least. From the viewpoint Of her inter
ests. the de WcIIant incident and the
Russo-American Cut and scuttle were
simply admirable The general effect
upon American hopes, prestige, and in
fiuence was that Of a haIstoTm on
field of oats. Nevertheless, intrinsi-
cally. the Administration has been right
and wise of late to oppose the exaction
OF an indemnity from China, probably
if not surely beyond her power to pay
What must be subject of deep re
Government ruptUred the harmony Of
the allies in suddenly joining Russia in
precipitate and unexpected line Of &C
ton the persuasive powers of this
country in the Concert Of Ministers,
although we are ana for some time
have been represented in that body By
one of our ablest diplomats. have ap-
-peared to be absolutely nil AS far as
we can recall, not a single proposition
advanced on behalf of the United States
has been accepted. OF considered with
more than perfunctory courtesy But
there seems TO be no room for doubt
that our present position in regard to
the indemnity Is correct, even if il must
be abandoned in the face Of a large
majority against US
As far as has appeared in dispatches.
reports. and statistics Of more or less
value. It Is not easy TO discover any
solid ground for believing that It Is
within the ability of China to pay the
three hundred and thirty-seven million
dollars demanded Of her; or that it
would be were the Empire under a con-
solidated and fairly well administered
Government, which il is not. It is re
ported that China has agreed TO assume
the relatively enormous debt TO be i'm
posed, and to pay it. But that means
little beyond the Celestial idea that the
formal undertaking viii free the
country Of the foreign troops, and then
ways and means may be found to evade
payment Oriental ideas Of finance in
the modern Western sense are extreme
Is nebulous. Ike real point is. what
ever Sir Robert Hart may pretend to
think IN the English interest, is that
excessive indemnity and an excessive
rate Of interest must inevitably lead to
default. and default will quite q in
evitabIy lead TO naval demonstrations
and by way Of security the seizure Of
territory which thereafter viii be very
unlikely ever to pass back into the
hands Of its original owner.
It IS q striking commentary upon the
mutability Of State friendships, that
after all the Administration has done
TO back the Russian play in Manchuria
done UnconscioUsly. we are willing to
admit-Russia has dropped US on the
question Of interest Where so great a
financial operation IS involved it would
seem that the Power which has gained
a fresh empire in Asia il the course Of
the game, should be willing to abate
something Of her money demands in the
premises. The United States and Eng
land by guaranteeing their shares OF
the loan, can, II is true, float them at
par OF three per cent interest basis,
while Russia as well as other nations
probably cannot. But the loss due to
a lower subscription price ought not to
stand n the way in her case. Russia
has been fairly well paid already. How
ever regrets and criticisms are hardly
useful al this stage Of the proceedings.
The Administration viii not consent to
the plan Of an international guarantee.
and, on the whole, perhaps is right in
taking that position. no matter in
what light it may be viewed, the Chi
nese situation presents little encourage
ment for our interests. and especially
10 our main one. which is 10 preserve
and maintain The open door