The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-12-31

between himself and the Chinese gov
ernment regarding the precautions to
be taken by foreigners travelling In
the inland districts of China to en-
sure personal safety. In accordance
with treaty provisions, travellers in the
interior and away from the vicinity
of treaty ports, should always be pro
vided with passports. 1t is further
desired that travellers give the local
authorities notice in advance of their
intention to go further, in order that
authorities Of the province toward
which they are travelling may be no.
titled and n suitable guard be dis
patched with them to protect them
from harm.
Representative f. G. Newlands Of
Nevada recently gave dinner to the
western Senators and Representatives
who, since the commencement of the
session, have been engaged in the prep
aration of an irrigation bill for sub
mission to Congress. Mr.. Newlands
has served as secretary of the commit
tee charged with the duty Of framing
the bill and has been one of its most
energetic and faithful members. In
common with other western members
he is pleased with the bill framed by
the committee, and the dinner was
given to signalize its completion and
prospective passage. Among the guests
were Senators Warren Dubois, Gibson
and Hansbrough and Representatives
Shafroth, Bell, Mondell, Sutherland,
Ctishman, Martin and Reeder and Pro
fessor Elwood Mead.
The preliminary report of the Inter
state Commerce Commission on the in
come accounts of railways in the
United States for the year ended June
Both, 1901, shows returns of railway
companies operating 192, 1913 miles of
line. The passenger earnings of these
railways were $4269O9,210 and t.,
freight earnings $1,114, ,74O,77O. The
total aross earnings We're $1,578, 1,H.-
2O5, or SS.211 per mile of line, against
81, ,147, ,O44 ,S14 in 1900. Operating e.
penses amounted to 81, ,023, 156, ,2S1, or
S5,323 per mile of line, making net
eutiiings of S555, ,007 ,924, or S35 5,5.t.2lS
In excess of the fiscal year 1900. The
amount of dividends declared during
the year We're $121, ,1OS,6 ,637, or S13,OOO,-
600 more than for the same roads in
1900 The surplus from operations was
S7i,544, ,735. The complete report for
the preceding year showed surplus of
$S7 ,657, 1888. The preliminary report Is
confined to returns of operating roads.
The dividends paid by the operating
and leased lines annually include about
S30,O00,0O paid on the part of leased
lines.
China will be relieved of the pay
ment of S1S,O0O,000 of the $50, 100000
demanded by the United States as in
demnity for the outrages perpetrated
upon American citizens during the
boxer revolt. The administration, af-
ter consideration of all claims filed by
Americans who suffered injury, or
whose property was damaged, and of
the expenses incurred by the army and
navy, has concluded that $7,OO0O0O
will cover the American bill. Presi-
dent Roosevelt submitted to Congress
few days ago a recommendation that
an appropriation of S2OOO,000 be made
to enable the satisfaction of claims for
injuries received by Americans. The
naval and military expenses were less
than S5,0OO,OOO. In justice to China,
therefore, the administration believes
she should be relieved of the payment
of the remainder, or that it should be
restored after the United States re-
ceives its share of the bonds to be is
sued to the powers. At the same time
the authorities have no intention Of
permitting other powers to grab the
sum the United States will refuse to
accept out of the payment of the bonds
issued by the Chinese government in
settlement of the indemnity. The pay
ments are to extend over forty years.
1t is, of course, not advisable to wait
that time before restoring the money
to China, and some other way must be
devised.
The Chinese exclusion bill intro
duced by Congressman Kahn of Cali
fornia is now in the hands of the
House committee, and with such
slight changes as may be made, will
be introduced as n committee meas
ure and as coming from the Bureau
of Immigration. The first section of
this bill is a Chinese exclusion act in
itself and establishes in unmistakable
language, the limits of Chinese inter-
course with the United States. The
other forty-eight sections of the bill
are nothing more or less than the
rules and regulations heretofore en-
forced merely by the arbitrary power
Of the treasury department, with such
additions as are deemed necessary,
but which have been impossible Of ex-
ercise owing to legal restrictions. The
entire measure is drastic in the ex-
treme. Under the present treaty with
China, which expires in 1904, there
are certain favored classes which
must be admitted 10 the United
States. These are Chinese govern
ment officials, travellers for pleasure,
or information, students, teachers and
merchants, and those who have left
this country and are authorized to re-
turn. Each one of these particular
classes, however, under the proposed
bill, is rigidly defined, and every pos
sble measure taken to guard against
imposition upon American officials
stationed at ports of entry. Some idea
of the character of this bill may be
gathered from the requirements to be
met by even those of the favored