The sun., 1901-04-16
WI ON NEGOTIATIONS.
Chinese Minister Worried by the Long
Delay at Peking.
SAYS 1T HURTS ALL NATIONS
Speaking on the Indemnity Question
He Declares That China's Mone-
tary Loss Is About Twice
That of the Allies.

Washington, April 1o.-The Chinese
minister has returned from Atlantic
City and was at the state department
in conference with Secretary Hay on
he status of negotiations mt Peking.
The minister is somewhat concerned
over the delay i'll bringing about final
adjustment and also on the current re-
ports that the indemnities reach very
large figure, which. he fears, will be
beyond the ability of China to meet.
When seen at the legation during the
day, Minister WI said in response to
inquiries on these subjects:
1--WE have been accustomed to hear
that China was very slow. but in this
ease many weeks and months are GO
| ing by without any delay attributable
| to China. so far as | have heard. ana
| vet without definite prospects of bring
| ing the negotiations TO Il close. This
unsettled condition is very injurious to
| china, but it also is an injury which
affects the whole world. Take, for in
stance. the cotton industry of the south.
| The shipments to China are very large,
but they have been falling off owing to
The unsettled condition of affairs, and
he trade is seriously menaced. Tie
ame may he said of many other
branches of trade. and. in fact. the
commerce. OF all the commercial ma
lions of Europe as well as America is
. iniuriously affected by the present I'M
certainty of conditions in the east.
What we need ana what the CONNER.
rial world needs is stability and some
definite understanding of what condi-
lions are to be-
"As to the question Of indcmnities,
, receive little direct information. But
: have regretted TO see from some of tho
Z published reports that the total of in
I IDENTITIES is reaching Il very large sum
1t should be horne in mind that China
herself has suffered great losses through
the recent disturbances. losses whicl
will amount to many millions and TO
u which she cannot hope TO receive III
: demnity.
:, what China Has Lost.
;, IF the claims of the powers aggre
\ cate S314,OOoOu0, rs | see stated,
!. would probably not be an undcrcSti
mate to say that China'S own loSSr
ii will reach twice that amount. say $500
mOUOO. In the aggregate. therefore
t'hina will he shouldering Il burden q
colossal proportions, ana this will com
after the country has passed through
= most trying experience.
II note that Il number of suggestion
T. are made that the indemnity should j
!. along the lines Of commercial Adval
tages ana improvements rather than
money. How far this is feasible ! cili
not say, but the principle involve
# seems to me good one. II has III
i'm merit of being unSeliish. As undr
". stand it. the indemnities thus far aSke
q. are based entirely on the interests (
Mt the various powers. Rut the intercS
r.. Of China are worth considering in th
- matter, for, after all, the interests
T. China will have much to do in the el
with the interest of all those natiol
having relations with her ana who II
carrying on extensive trade with 4
Wy east
NV Nv There is Il splendid opportunity iu
- now for such an object lesson 70 I
.o,. Chinese people as would oblilcratc
ada antiforcign sentiment and would sht
them that the interest taken by f.
.or eign powers in China had sonlethi
,ul- 10 do with the development and pr
lich rcSs Of China as we'll rs he pcrSUl
hist interest of foreign nations. our p
was pie might he shown tho benefits 60
ing inc from conSiderate foreign treatme
,afl and they would hc grateful 10 see G
ign. 4, rostnrea II /, condition, ~ nros,,
!. ty. As to details, il is not for me
Il suggest what the powers could do
China ana for their mutual inter,
an hut | am quite confident that if Il
yare only put their heads together "
ling. much could he accomplished in the
ar tcrests Of all concerned
Several suggestions llave been mi
10 the Chinese minister concerning
ndviSability of establishing peIman
As legation quarters in Washington, ;
cklN hc has given some consideration 10
heN matter OF late. The British. Grrl
pcei' and many other foreign embassies
legations own their own quarters II
lii ease Il building is put up il don
loss will be a unique addition 10
i 'i"i architecture of the capital.