New-York tribune., 1901-04-13
INDEMNITY FROM CHINA.
THE UNITED STATES PROPOSES THAT
DEMANDS OF THE POWERS BE
CUT DOWN ONE-HALF.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE
Washington, April 12.-The United States mas
set an example to the ten other powers taking
part in the conference at Peking by instructions
to Commissioner Rockhill to announce the reaoi-
ness OF this government to cut its indemnity III
half if the other nations will make similar re-
ductions, in order to bring the aggregate hle
which China must pay within the reasonape
limits of Chinese resources. While all the
formal demands have not been presented, II 10
already clear from the discussion that they VIII
approximate S4OOOG0O00 The consensus of eN-
pert opinion being that China. under the most
favorable administration. cannot pay more thah
half that amount. this government in erect
proposes uniform scaling down of the claims
TO practicable figures The American claims as
promptly presented to the conference. amounted
to S23,OO0,000. including the payment tor III
juries to American property and citizens anu
the expense incurred by this government !"
sending the relief force to Pebing. 1t tnVolVes
no pride money" damages on account oA
disrespect for the American Government ana ltS
representatives and the items account OF
Americans murdered in the Boxer movement u1u
not exceed lust remuneration to their families
such as the United States is accustomed 10 pay
as an act of grace when foreigners are the VIC
Tins Of disorder In this country. To orin6 l"e
apgreFate demand OF the powers for reparallo"
within reason the United States proposal 10
tantamount to representations to all the par'l0i-
pants to withhold their claims for milltaiS
penses which SAVIOR strongly or extorIhs "~'
indemnity with vast sums for whoiiy puH''''
damages. and for the present. at least 10 coi'-
fine the demand to actual injuries sustalle' "
foreigners and their property.
IF the proposition is not received with favor
in Europe. there is, apparently no nope Oh e.
fectIng a settlement which Will not result ~
dismemberment OF the empire
Japan AND AMERICA IN ACCORD.
japan is understood to be in complete accord
with the United States on the indemnity ques-
ton, and it is remarked that these two govern
ments are the first to exhibit charitable ana
magnan!mous spirit to n PROSTATE ana heipieSS
country while the European powers are un-
moved by such considerations.
The American and Japanese claims are definite
itemized and reasonable. The others. so far as
they have been presented have no such charac-
teristics The Russian claim which is by far
the largest exceeds $150,000oo0, and that OF
Germany Is calculated to be fully equal to so''-
600 600 although both these involve sldlhg
scale arrangement depending on future contin-
gences. such as compensation for the continuing
the EXPENSE Of maintaining forces at Peking
and in other parts Of China, and guarantees
against similar expense should these nations
determine to send additional troops INTO thlild
Russia includes in her demand. besides repair
alton for the trouble she has been put TO IN
Manchuria variable sum to remunerate her
for maintaining order for a protracted period
In the future which may never be terminated
and which may easily exceed all the revenues or
that important province.
The elasticity of these propositions, providing
for vast sums in the future, over and above the
large punitive and actual damages cxacted in
a lump at the outset, disheartening TO the
southern viceroys, whom the burden Of the
debt will fall and their fears are reflected in
the United States and in Japan
Great Britain is understood to be making up a
definite claim based on the principle adopted by
the United States She has furnished no figures
known not TO exceed $4,000 600, and is to stop
at that, with continuing damages. Belgium.
which went TO no expense whatever for the res
cue Of the legations. and has given assistance
in the restoration OF order, demands .2300000O
francs, without taking the trouble TO itemiZe
any of the damages the sum is required to meet.
Spain, Austria Hungary, Italy and the Meth
erlands have not yet announced exactly what
they will take, but they regarded being
clearly within the Belgian category, and will
probably have to be satisfied with the crumbs
If there any crumbs.
Definite information about the French claim
is also lacking.