Evening star., 1901-04-16
DIFFER AS TO INDEMNITY
MINISTER'S IN PEKIN CANNOT REACH
AGREEMENT.
Strong Sentiment Against Proposal
of United States to Limit SUM
to $500, ,O0O, 900.

A Paris dispatch of yesterday says: 1t Is
learned from a trustworthy source that
the outlook for an early settlement Of the
Chinese indemnity question is less promis-
ing than a week ago. The negotiations be-
tween the powers are bringing out con-
fiicting ideas and interests. and are likely
to be very protraoted. The proposition Of
the United States to limit the total in
demnity to $500. 900, 900 Is the only one under
discussion. and is not regarded with favor
by more than one government, the sum
being considered too small. and they are
disinclined to reduce their claims to the
figures the United States desires. A Wash
ington dispatch, published in London, af-
firming that the United States proposes
that the indemnity be divided between
the powers in proportion to the number
of troops which participated In the actual
relief of the legations at Pekin is regard
ed incorrect. No such proposal has
reached the French government, which con-
siders that the entire expense incurred as
a result of the whole operations carried
out must be taken as the basis for indem-
nifty.
1t is believed that the claims of indi-
viduals will be first presented and paid
This matter will be expedited as much as
possible, in order to allow an early re-
sumption of commerce and work on other
foreign enterprises.
Nothing Is known here of the reported
intention of the emperor to return to Pc
kin without the dowager empress, and no
faith is placed here in the reported hos
tility between Russia and Japan. French
information indicates that conciliatory ne
gotiationS proceeding between those
two countries, with the prospect of a thor
ough understanding regarding the position
of both toward Manchuria and Corea.
A dispatch from Berlin last night says:
1t is officially confirmed here that the
ITrita Sfatn hoe DO nr,cftf ion, 20
the powers to fix the total Chinese indem-
nifty at 10000 900 (S200, 900, 900, coupled
with the condition that the payment be
made Immediately. German officials point
out that the amount named would require
a heavy scaling of the different claims,
but that the proposition is practicable and
open to discussion owing to the clause
requiring cash payment. But If it Is con-
templated to divide the indemnity mechan-
fcally, it Is doubtful whether it will be ac-
ceptable, since Russia says her govern
ment claims alone will amount to Ell ,000,-
900; this is aside from private claims The
f5,000.OOO. whereas the China expedition
has already cost her ft2,000,OO0. The
claims Of Great Britain amount to less
than Is 0O0,000
should be apportioned according to the
expenses borne by the different powers.
The representative of the Associated Press
gets thu impression that Germany is ready
" uIScuSS tne propOSltlOn III cOncll1a-
tory spirit, influenced by the belief that
China is unable to pay all the claims de-
manded.
A dispatch to the Lokal Anzeiger from
Pekin says: "A young Chinaman named
Ho Wan has been arrested for the murder
of Capt. Bartsch. He boasts that he killed
the officer in a moment of anger at the
captains ill-treatment of him. Three other
Cinnamon have been arrested as accom-
plices. One of them was with Ho Wan
and riding Capt. Bartsch's horse"
The German war office has received the
following dispatch from Count Won Wal
dersee: Maj. Won Schoenberg with COM
panies of infantry. mounted infantry, cav
airy and artillery, has been sent from
here to disperse robbers in the mountains
northeast of Chang -Ping-Chau, thirty
kilometers north of Pekin. A company Of
troops from Chang -Ping-Chau will inter-
'cept the retreat of the robbers"