Evening star., 1901-07-17
CHINESE INDEMNITY
Proposed Increase of Customs
Duties.
INSTRUCTION sent TO Mr.. R0CKHILL
May Agree to Discussion Of the
Measure.
JAPAN WITHDRAWS REQUEST

Mr.. Rockhill, our special commissioner at
Pekin, has been instructed to give the as
sent of the United States to the discussion
of the proposition to increase the Chinese
customs dues. in order to provide means
for the payment of the international in
demnity. 1t Is made clear that by this in
struction Mr.. Rockhill is not committed to
the support OF the measure. On the con-
trary, the United States government in its
present light. Is entirely opposed to that
project, and the instruction is sert only in
Difference to the universal wish for Il speedy
conclusion Of the negotiations at Pckin.
Proposed Increase Opposed.
1t Is learned that the hitch in these nego-
tiations, the most battling that has yet oc-
CURED, is due entirely to the issue raised
as to the increase of customs The United
States government feels that this issue has
completely justified it's original Judgment
that a great error was being made by the
ministers in forcing China to pay the heavy
indemnity demanded 1t was strongly con-
tended that the indemnity was far beyond
the ability Of the Chinese government to
pay under ordinary conditions. The United
States was overruled, and now the very
powers that took issue with us have come
around to the belief that the Chinese or
dinary revenues are not sufficient; hence
the proposition to double the customs du-
ties. Great Britain maintains that as she
and the United States send into China the
greater part Of the articles Of commerce
which would be thus doubly taxed, the
proposition amounts to making these two
countries assume the burden of the Chinese
indemnity. However, the British govern
ment has consented to discuss the matter;
hence this instruction to Mr.. Rockhill to
assume similar attitude.
Japan's Request Withdrawn.
In spirit which has aroused the keenest
admiration Of the Department Of State, the
Japanese government has met the difficult
ty growing out Of the preference of her re-
quest for an increase Of her indemnity by
withdrawing that request The result Is a
substantial loss to Japan. She asked orig
| inally for $23,0OOOoO That figure was more
moderate than that of any Of the powers
which played any prominent part in the
Chinese campaign, and represented the
barest expense Of the undertaking. 1t was
fixed upon the idea that payment was to
be made In cash by China. Some of the
other powers did not make this mistake,
but placed their indemnity claims far
enough above their actual outlaws to more
than guarantee them against any loss
through the issue Of bonds, which is to be
the method of payment. Confronted with
the bond payment the Japanese govern
ment asked that her allotment be Increased
to S2l. 100000 in bonds to make good the
loss she would suffer through the sale Of
the bonds: Special Commissioner Rockhill
reported that making due allowance for all
proper claims presented, the total indem-
nifty Of 450,0OO.OOO yen which was to be
taken from China, would leave a surplus
sufficient to meet the Japanese request
Other Claims Increased.
But as soon some Of the other ma
tions found that the allotment as originally
fixed would be disturbed they came in with
Increased demands and thus it is Japan.
finding that insistence upon her demand
would block the negotiations at this stage.
she has withdrawn her request for the
present at least. 1t is safe to assume that
the United States government will do what
she can to secure compensa ton for Japan
in some other way in the future.