Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-05-17
is WILLING TO PAY.
Further Details of China's Reply
to the Ministers.
PUTS UP PLEA Of lMPOvERISHMENT.
Agrees to Liqufdate Indemnity Claims
by Payment of 15,OOO,OOO Taels
Annually for the Next
30 Years.

Picking, May 1.-THE answer of
China to the statement of the minis
ters of the foreign powers as to the
losses sustained by nations and indi-
viduals in China has been received.
The answer commences with an ap-
peal to mercy, saying that the coun-
try is impoverished. The answer eX-
plains that the utmost China can offer
| is 100000 taels annually for the next
30 years. This amount will be derived
as follows: From salt, 100000 taels;
from the likin tax, 100000, and from
native customs, 100000. The com
munication further asserts that We're
this done it would leave the country
unable to meet the expenses of gov
eminent without assistance. 1t re-
quested that the foreign customs be
increased one-third and the receipts
therefrom to be given to China for
the purpose of government. The min
listers refuse to discuss this answer
until it has been considered by them
in meeting.
The Chinese reply is long, and it
may be said. on first reading, proves
more satisfactory to the majority of
the ministers than they had expected.
The first paragraph states that China
has not the slightest intention of try
ing to escape from the payment of her
just obligations; that she is pledged
to pay all the legitimate expenses Of
the allies and all damages actually in
Cured by foreigners during the recent
troubles, and will do so.
Satisfies Germany.
Berlin, May Is. The news that
China agrees to the payment of the
indemnities demanded is received here
with general approval, both in Off
cial circles and privately, insomueh
that all Germany desires is to wind
up the China campaign. 1t is UNDER
stood that the proposal to extend the
payments over period of 30 years
meets with qualified assent.
Roclkhill Sends News,
Washington, May ia cablegram
from Mr.. Rockhill, our special COM
missioner at Picking. received at the
state department Tuesday, mentions
the receipt by the ministers of the re-
spouse of the Chinese ENJOYS to the
ministers demands for indemnity.
The dispatch indicates briefly that the
Chinese represent that an annual pay
ment of $10,O0O,0o0 is the full extent
of their power to pay on indemnity
account. 1t will take 80 years to dis
charge the debt at that rate, without
interest. Mr.. Rockhill makes no men
ton OF the subject of interest. nor
does he touch upon the means by
which the money is to be raised by
China, or say who is to guarantee a
loan necessary to be made. It ap-
pears that the Chinese feel themselves
obliged to submit to the powers in
this question of indemnity, as In all
other things. and though realizing
their own inability to assume this in
debtedness of 450,Oo0,OOO taels, they
feel obliged to make the effort. Mr..
RockhiI has been instructed to con-
tinue his efforts to secure an abate-
ment of the total indemnity, but in
the present disposition of the powers
but little hope of success is enter
tanned.
The First Payment.
Berlin, May ia dispatch received
here from Picking says the note of the
Chinese peace plenipotentiaries ac-
cepting the amount of indemnity de-
manded by the powers proposes to pay
the first of the 30 annual installments
of 100000 taels in July, 1902.
China Can Easily Pay.
St. Petersburg, May 15.-The Viede-
mosti publishes an article extending
over three columns, written by Prince
Ouchtomsky, who has just returned
from China. The substance of the ar
ticle is that China can easily pay the
sum demanded of her by means OF in
creased taxation on exports and i'm
ports. So great is the volume of trade
that taxation might be doubled or
trebled without commerce being af-
fected.
TuDEE COTIDcEC nDEN