The Van Buren press., 1901-07-20
JAPAN NET TIE PROBLEM.
Japan Withdraws Her Request for
an Increase of Her Indem-
nifty From China.
OTHER NATIONS ALSO WANTED MORE.
The Disposition of Manchuria MAY
Re Determined by n Joint Agree
ment of the ePOwers-Proposea III
crease of Chinese Customs u FER
picking Problem.

Washington, July 1s.-ln spirit
which has aroused the keenest ad-
miration of the state department, the
Japanese government has met the
difficulty growing out of the prefer
ence of her request for an increase
of her indemnity loss to Japan. She
asked originally for $23,OOo,oOo' ms
figure was more moderate than any
of the powers which played any prom
inent part in the Chinese campaign,
and represented the barest expense
of the undertaking. 1t was fixed up
on the idea that payment was to be
made in cash by China. Confronted
with the bond payment, the Japanese
government asked that the allotment
be increased to $27, 100000 in bonds to
make good the loss she would suffer
through the sale of the bonds.
The Greed of other Nations.
As soon as some Of the other ma
tions found that the allotment, as
originally fixed, was in danger of be-
ing disturbed, they came in with in
creased demands, and thus it is that
Japan, finding that insistence upon
her demand would blockade the nego'
tiations at this phase, has withdrawn
her request for the present, at least.
It is safe to assume that the United
States government will do what 1t can
to secure compensation for Japan in
some other way in the future.
The Manchurian Question.
It is understood to be the desire OF
some of the great powers that the
disposition of Manchuria should go
before the ministers at Pekin, and be
finally determined by joint agree
ment among the powers. Although
no definite step has been taken in
that direction, it is being discussed by
foreign representatives stationed
here, who fully expect that the plan
will be adopted.
Russia May be Reluctant.
Russia, it is expected, will be re.
luctant to agree to it. Attention has
been directed to the latter by reports
that Russia had resumed negotia-
tions with China concerning Man
churia, and also by Tuesdays cable
gram stating that Russian procla-
nation was about to be issued, estab-
fishing Nuchwang as a Russian port.
Nuchang n Treaty Port.
As to the report that Russia will
proclaim Nuchwang to be n Russian
port, it is pointed out in diplomatic
quarters that Nuchwang is a treaty
port, and as such, open TO the com.
merce of the world under the exist
ing tariff regulations with China and
foreign merchants have the right TO
trade and to conduct establishments
there.
Rights of Trade.
These rights Of trade could not be
diverted, in the opinion of diplomatic
officials, by Russian proclamation,
unless the powers had previously Civ
EN- assent. Thus far, however, there
nus pVNh ~ iNnuNSN lioHi husSlu VI
China for any change in the status of
Nuchwang as one Of the treaty ports.
Chinese Customs.
Mr.. Rockhill, our special commits.
sioner at Pekin, has been instructed
to give the assent of the United
States TO the discussion of the prop.
osition to increase the Chinese Gus.
toms duties in order to provide
means for the payment of the inter.
national indemnity. Our government
is still opposed to this project, and
the instruction is sent only in defer
ence to the universal wish for a
speedy conclusion of the negotiations
at Pckin.
II is learned that the hitch In these
negotiations, the most battling that
has yet occurred Is due entirely 10
the issue raised as TO the increase OF