The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-16

ttOuS- Likely to FUSh bhFoUSh u
Radical Policy in the Matter of
Indemnity Claims Against China
Advices received at the State Depart
ment leave little room for doubt that
Germany controls the diplomatic situa-
tion in Pekin. \ strong combination of
nations has been formed with a certain
ma iority of one in the international CON
cert, whicn makes it practically in1pos-
sibIe for any other than a radical course
to be adopted if the recognition of ma
jority rule continues
The representatives of the Dre1bund at
Pekin are voting together on every prop
ositi0n and it is now apparent that they
have the hearty cooperation OF the min
listers of the three smallest nations en-
gagged in the neEotiations-SDain. Ho!-
land, and Belgium Against this combi-
nation are arrayed only the United States,
England. and Japan. for the position Of
Russia is uncertain and France appears
TO lean toward the German coalition But
even If Russia and France should join
with the United States England, and ia
pan, their combination could not over
come that headed by Germany with five
other nations included in it
Germany and her adherents represent
the radical view on the indemnity ques-
ton, while the American, British and
japanese ENJOYS represent the moderate
view
The amounts of the claims for indem-
nifty of most Of the nations engaged in
the negotiations are now practically fixed
Russia leads the list with S7,5Oo, 900 Ger
many is next with claims nominaily
amounting 10 SO. 900, but actually to a
much greater amount. as she insists that
the Chinese Government shall pay the ex-
penses of the large German military con-
tingent as long as IL remains III China
Her claims will aggregate at least 2So. .0o0,-
coo. Then comes France with S560o0, 200
France had little part in the rescue Of
the occupants Of the legations and the
subsequent restoration of order, but in
sists that she Is entitled to heavy fndem-
nifty on account of the massacres Of
French missionaries and the destruction
Of their places of worship
The American claims aggregate S25, CO.,,
go. England's about so. GO 0oo. and Japan's
between the American and the British ag-
gregates.
The exact figures Of the Austrian, Ital-
ian, Spanish, and Dutch claims are not
obta5nab1e but they are regarded here as
exceedingly unreasonable. It is evident.
officials say, from the fact that these ma
tfons have asked for Indemnities far in
advance Of their losses and the expenses
--,of their neagre military contingents-and
not all Of them sent soldiers sailors or
marines ashor-why they had aligned
themselves with the Dreibund.
Germany wants heavy indemnity. and
controls the policy Of Austria and Italy.
and to secure the big sums they claim the
three minor nations must help the Drei-
bund to get what it wants. Thus a triple
alliance Of European countries that are
not among the great Powers Of the world
may be able to defeat the United States.
England. Japan, Russia, and France as
Stunning that the last two named VIII vote
against the combination led by Germany.
Belgium's claim i 5o.e9oe9o francs, or
100000 washington officials consider il
preposteroUs. A few BelgaH engineers
and missionaries were murdered. and it
is believed that there were no other losses
for which Belgium can rightfuIIy claim
indemnity.
Very little progress is being made in the
negot;-stiors at Pekin, according 10 the
latest advices received at the State De
part1nent England, Japan, and the Unitoc
States are attempting to relieve the sit
nation by urging that additional CONNER
ciaI advantages be accepted from China
in part liquidation of the indemnity and
England's moderate claim is based on the
understanding that these commercial ad-
vantages viii be obtained
TIE rHTNESE TNnFMNTTv