The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-11

I adhered 20 this just principle. with re-
an '' p'0''" '7"e''e'D' 70
QUESTION OF INDEMNITY.
"As regards the third point OF the ne
gotiations, the equitable indemnihcation
OF the various states for the losses and
| expenses Incurred by them i'm China and
| In sending eNpeditionary forces 10 re-
! lieve the legations and foreign residents
I az Peking and restore order, and also
the securing OF indemnities To societies
| companies and individuals for their pri-
Nate losses through the antl-foreign riots
| the government OF the United States adj
vocsted that the sum total of these In.
IDENTITIES should not exceed reasona ble
amount well within the power Of China
10 pay.
After careful inquiry. you reached the
conclusion that with her present re-
sources and liabilities, China could not
pay as indemnities to the Powers more
than two hundred millions OF dollars
ana that the exactlon of any larger
amount would not only entail permanent
financial embarrassment on the country
hut might possibly result I'm either inter-
national financial control or even loss
OF territory. The representative Of the
United States was instructed accordingly
and he was further told that i'm the opin-
ION of our government the amount should
be asked or china by the Powers Jointly,
without detail or explanation and after
ward divided among them according 10
their losses and disbursements
You also stated that every facility OF
payment should be accorded China ami
That the debt should be paid by bonds
Is .ue1 at par and bearing three per cent.
interest and running for 30 or 10 vents
h.a
tracted discussion i'm the conference. TO
accept the proposition Of the other pow
ers To demand OF China the sum total
or their losses and disbursements reach
Ing tho enormous sum OF s329 600 600 our
insistence I'm pressing for a much lower
sum ana The weight Of the arguments ad-
uuced IN favor OF such policy resulted
IN closing the indemnities at the above
lump sum. when they bid fair TO go on
swelling indefinitely
VAST sum SAVED.
This and the acceptance OF YOUR sur
Resuon that the indennities be paid In
ponds issued at par and bearing a low
rate or interest q per cent was finally
agreed upon) and running for forty years,
resulted I'm saving vast sum TO China.
naSltned the evacuation OF the country
Dy the expeditionary forces and the re-
stoiatlon OF order and of normal relations
Win the Chinese government
IN connection with the question OF the |
indemnity ! should particularly mention |
powers I'm their search for revenues an |
plicahle TO the service of the indemnify |
dsDt mat the existing nominal 3 per cent |
ad Valorem customs tariff on foreign inn |
ports should be made an Effective 5 ner !
cent ad valorem. the United states mind |
ful of the furtherance of lawful com |
ineree In china IN the interests OF the |
world. and believing that no opportunity |
shoulu be lost tO secure To foreign trade |
All the facilities its vast Importance en-
titles u to and that any additional tax |
Ia. n. -
compensa tions ON the part of China of |
equal valae declined 10 consent to the
above Increase OF the customs tariff on /
imports unless: First all the treaty |
powers and China agreed 60 cooperate i'm
the long desired Improvement of the wa
ter approaches 20 Shanghai aud Tien Tsin
be substituted FOR The present ad vaInrem
ones IN the tariff on foreign tmports
Both of these conditions were ultimately
agreed upon.
NO DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS.
NO divergence OF views existed for
lunatelN between the representatives. OF
,'he pnwers on the question OF improving
Lhs ehaiinelS- of direct Communities tlat- h.
,Meen them and the Chinese government. |
ne long -veNtd question OF the cere- /
monlal 40 be observed In the public au-
iiences granted hv the emperor or China
To foreign representatives was finally |
settled by the plenipotcntiaries on lines !
perfectly satisfactory TO all parties 10 the
The Tsung ~ Yamen or bureau Of for
'lgn affairs. which the experience of forty
years had shown Chinese and foreigners
ii'ke was unwieldy aud Incapable of dis
charging the duties deVolVing upon A
was altered in the wav suggested nv the
,,3,,n,,t,eIence; changed into responsible
ministry ot foreign affairs. and organized
~ ines similar 60 those adopted I'm every
ither country OF the world
such, IN brief has been the role dis
llhNed BY the United states in the con
erehce or Pekn. While We maintained
'omplete independence. We were able to
'ct harmoniOuslN iu the concert of now
Fs. the existence OF which was SO essen
lal 10 prompt and peaceful settlement
y the situation. We retained the friend
'hlp OF all the negotiating powers. exert
'd salutary influence In the cause of
humanity and Justice sc-
.ured adequate reraratinn for wrongs
ione our citizens, guarantees for their
utlre protection and labortd success.
uily w tho interests Of the whole world
W the cause of equal and impartial trade
With All parts of The Chinese empire"