The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-03-26
AMERICAN GENEROSITY.

The changes that are taking place in
the east are SO many and constant that
it is almost impossible to keep track of
the movements of the powers. One
day the dispatches are loaded with
news %portentous of wal and unlimited
bloodshed, while the next brings the
information of a settlement of the
difficulties and that all is serene once
more. For a few days it looked as if
England and Russia could not possibly
restrain themselves from flying at one
another's throat. Now they seem to
be the same good friends they were
before, and Japan is taking the place
of the Britons as the one seemingly
determined to risk the chances of a
war with the Muscovite. Meanwhile
the United States is hewing along the
line it marked out for itself at the be-
ginning and is exerting every power
at its. command to bring about a settle
men of the question of indemnities.
Since the English and the Russians
have ceased their hostile demonstra-
tions toward each other the admins
tration at Washington is taking a more
hopeful view of the situation and
seems to think a settlement of the
vexatious question is nearer at hand,
as we'll as the other matter, the adjust
ment Of the points remaining undis-
posed of and contained in the articles
to which China subscribed as the basis
for the joint meeting at Pekin.
This government seems disposed to
consider 5000, 600, 900 as the maximum
of the indemnities which the powers
should demand of China, as it is con-
sldered to be about all she can pay.
This figure does not represent the ag-
gregate of the indemnities demanded.
The sum for which some of the powers
have been holding out is far greater.
II settlement on the basis stated is
agreed to this county viii. ask as it's
share $25, 600, 600, although it is we'll
known at Washington that this amount
will provide for only a certain per-
centage of the claims the nation just
~ has against the Chinese. It is not
the intention to divide the $500, OO0,-
900 into equal parts, n for each ma
ton presenting a claim, but to SO pro-
portion the whole amount as to COM
pensate the powers in accordance with
their outlay in suppressing the boxer
troubles. This government is even
credited with the willingness to abate
the $40, 900, 900 claim if the other
powers would reduce their claims in
the same proportion, even to the extent
of reducing the total estimate to $780,
900, 600, if by SO doing the Chinese
government could be relieved by hav-
ing the tax adjusted to it's ability to
pay. Although grave doubt seems to
exist if the Chinese can raise more
than the last sum mentioned, our gov
eminent feels itself bound to secure
compensation for it's citizens and itself
to the same extent as is secured Ly the
other powers. It is especially resolved
to do this because of the conviction
that a total abandonment of our
claims, Dr. Y 81 heavy reduction, with
out corresponding action on the part
OF the other powers would injure,
rather than help China, as such ac-
ton would be destructive of whatever
restraining influence the state depart
ment may be able to exert upon the
less sympathetic powers interested in
the matter.
The Fergus County Argus calls at