Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-22
Powers Agreed as to Import Duties
in China.
SCHEME TO RAISE INDEMNITY
Gen. WaIdersee Demands an Inn
periaI Interview Before Leaving.
GREAT BRITAIN'S POSITION

BERLIN, May 22.-It is authoritatively
announced that the powers Will agree to
require the present Chinese import duties
to be paid in gold, which is equivalent to
doubling the duties. The same payment
will also probably be required in the case
OF the salt and opium tax.
Germany is apparently averse to inter-
ferinG with the likin dues, since they are
too complicated, requiring too much ad-
minstrative machinery and too much mix
ing in the internal affairs of China.
Officials here admit the powers are likely
to divide into two groups upon the method
OF settlement, some following Great Brit
ain in favor of loan and others support
ing payment through increased revenues.
1t is not expected. however, that dis
agreement will dist urb the present harmo-
nious action.
WaIdersee Wants Emperor to Return.
SHANGHAI, May 22-Reports have been
received from Pellin to the effect that Field
Marshal Count Won Waldersee has inform
ed the Chinese that his troops will not
leave Pekin until the court returns and he
himself is received in imperial audience.
The French have Withdrawn from the
Shan-si expedition and the English have re-
fused to take any part in it. 1t is probable,
PEELED to go alone. In spite of constant
and threatening difficulties. Count Won
Waldersee, single-handed, continues to
maintain the prestige of foreigners in this
part of China.
In answer to interpretations in the British
house of commons Yesterday, Lord Cram
borne proceeded to make a general. state
ment on the China question, saying the
governments chief concern at present was
to moderate, so far as possible, the de-
mandS for indemnity, and see they did not
infringe on commercial interests. The gov
eminent, therefore, was unalterably op-
posed to raising the import duties to 10 per
cent as security for the payment of the in
demnity, and, in reply to all such sugges-
tions. had signified that Great Britain
would only consent to such rise in duties
in connection with commercial improve
ments in the Chinese fiscal system, such a
the abolition of the li6in taxes.
AS to moderating the total indemnity,
there Were more ways than one of aCh.eV
ing that object, and China's burden might
be perceptibly lehtCned by the method of
eXacting payment. In regard to the pro-
poSal that the indemnity be betrayed by
loan guaranteed by concert of the powers,
undoubtedly Chinas obligation to pay the
indemnity was under an obligation, and,
although We hoped il would not be neces-
sary, If such loan was guaranteed, IL
would have to be by the joint force of all
the powers.
The objection to joint guarantee row.
ever, was so obvious that the government
would have nothing to do with it. Con-
sidering that British credit stood higher
than that of any other power, while Great
Britain only claimed small portion of
the indemnity, 1t would be nothing short of
insanity to agree to jointly guarantee the
loan.
Lord Cranborne concluded by saying that
on the whole the affairs of China were en-
tering on a more pacific phase and that
the government hoped to soon withdraw a
large portion of the British troops from
that country.
Lord Lansdowne. the foreign secretary
made a statement in the house of lords
similar to the one made by Lord Cranborne
in the house of commons He said the gov
ernment desired to avoid an arrangement
for the payment of the indemnity by which
China would be compelled to contract sepa-
rate obligations, and could not agree to q
joint guarantee of the loan.