The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-04-30
GOVERNMENT NOT PLAYING
sHYLocK IN CHINA.
SURPRISED AT REPROACHES
Officials Unable to Account for
Ill Will of United
States.

Berlin, April 27.-Cable dispatches
from America, especially those re-
printed in England imputing to Ger
many Shylock-like tendencies in in
sisting OH the pound of flesh in China
and also representing Germany's in
demnity as higher than the facts war
rant, have created here, both officially
and privately a d~isagreeable surprise.
Officially it was pointed out to the
correspondent of the Associated Press
that the figures all along quoted in
the American press were wrong. The
correct indemnity figures are those
the correspondent here of the Associ-
ated Press cabled to the Associated
Press April IS, showing the Russian
demand of 600, OOO,O 0 marks, French
26O, 600, 900, Germany 4 100000. the
United States 100, 900. 900. Germany's
official figures presented to the reich
stag show that Germany has already
spent more than she asks.
The above figures certainly do not
ll1SlluC liz p1AsoSO ~ ~
by the various powers. How large
those will be nobody yet knows be-
cause they are uncollated and unpre-
scented. Papers here question whetn-
er the United States spent 100, OOO, 900
marks. 1ney also point out that the
transport of the German troops such
a long distance was expensive; refer
to the muruer of Won Ketteler, and say
that the fact that Count Won Valdez
see was appointed commandments
of the allied forces rendered it neces-
sary for Germany to send a proper
tional contingent.
The view prevails here that the
American reproaches and intimations
against Germany are unjust. Official
circles here say they are unable to
account for the systematic i'll will in
the war shown by the United States
press.
While it is true that everybody
here is tired of the China business,
the newspapers point out that Ger
many cannot withdraw her troops
until the Chinese court has given evil
dence by more than words of it's readi-
ness to fulfill the conditions of peace
imposed by the concert of the powers.
The Cologne Volks Zeitung says:
Judging from the latest news it is
plain that the boxer murder system
against missionaries and Europeans
will Immediately break loose on the
retirement of the allied forces
The correspondent of the Associat-
ed Press learns positively that the ne
gotiations for a renewal and modifi-
cation of the dreibund, which expires
in May. 1903, will be conducted dur
ing the second half of 1901, and the
whole of 1902.
1t is reported here and confirmed
from Warsaw that Count Tolstoi is to
be banished from Russia and take up
his residence IN Paris.
The correspondent of the Associat-
ed Press has interviewed a high off
cial who said nothing was known here
officially in regard to the alleged COM
binatlon of the United States, France
n Russia to compel Germany to re-
duce her claim in China. 1.-THE whole
story is absurd he said. IF the
cams must be scaled, Russia should
pc the first to begin. as she made
the largest claim. Germany can veri-
ny the correctness of hers mark by
mark"
Discussing the source of China's
borrowing, the official referred to said:
The United States authorities have
been informed that many rich private
Chinese and French investors will do
SO, and perhaps English and German
money will be forthcoming. There
can be no question Of one nation TAX
ing advantage of another lending
money to China"