Evening journal., 1901-05-18
NEW SPAPER OPINION

NEW SPAPER OPINION
Chinas Reply TO the Demand of indemnity
From the New York Sun.
We have, at last, an authoritative
account OF the answer made by the
Chinese plenipotentiaries to the de-
mand for an aggregate indemnity of
45O,OO 900 taels, a sum equivalent to
$3l5,O00 600, If the tael be regarded as
equivalent to 40 cents.
China proposes to meet this demand
by an annual payment of $4,000 900
taels (Sl0,5OO,000) for thirty years
beginning with July, 1902. To the
annual payment the salt tax is to con.
tribute ten million taels, the likin, or
inland transit dues, two million. and
the customs duties imposed on natives
In non-treaty ports, three million more.
All the same time, the Chinese pleni-
pOtentiarles point out that the fulfil
ment Of the proposed agreement would
leave their country unable to meet
the current expenses of government.
They request, constantly, that the Gus
toms duties imposed on foreigners in
the treatry ports be increased one
third, the additional receipts to he
given to China for administrative pur-
poses.
Let us compare these figures with
the data set forth in General ]. II.
Wilson's book on China, which, un-
questionably gives the latest trust
worthy account of the fisal condition
Of bhe Middle Kingdom General Will
son rerroduces an estimate prepared
several years before the outbreak of
tine Boxer troubles, which puts the to-
tai expenditure for civil and military
purposes, including the interest on the
public debt, at about 800 900. 900. This
sum is considerably in excess of the
current revenues, which, according to
General Wilson, do not exceed s51 =
100000 in gold. He adds, however.
that the deficit is more apparent than
real, inasmuch as all disbursements.
except for interest on the public debt.
are made in copper cash and in silver.
and if the treasury does not happen
to have the money on hand. the ex.
| penditures are cut down or renowned
/ altogether. From the same authority
We learn that about nine million five
hundred thousand taels are derived
| from the salt tax and lixin on salt;
| as much more from the likin on mis-
cellaneous goods and opium, and five
million taels from native maritime and
inland customs. II, from the total of
twenty-fOur million taels obtainable
from these sources, fifteen millions
have 10 be ear-marked for the annual
a., payment on the Boxer indemnity II is
certain that the Pekin Government
will be unable to defray the cost OF
administration, unless it's fiscal system
.Hf..fsf a
imposed On foreigners. should be radi.
cally reformed
General Wilson thinks, that with q
resurvey and reassessment of the tax.
: able lands, the proceeds of the lanC
tax could be increased from twenty.
seven million taels, the present figure
TO cne hundred and four millions. i
such a reform be practicable. it is OBJ
vious that China could make theannua
indemnity payment from this source
{ of income alone, and still leave a hand
I some surplus for the public treasury
There is no doubt, however, that
considerable amount of time would b.
needed for such a resurvey and reas
S segsment. and. in the meanwhile, tn
d easiest and quickest way of procuring
the additional revenue required q
meet the indemnity demand would b.
to increase the customs duties leviel
on foreigners in the treaty ports. Gen
eral Wilson expresses the opinion tha
e with the increase of importation
q which is steadily going on, and an in
d crease OF duty to say 10 per cent. az
q valorem in gold, to enable the Chimes
government to indemnify the for
c eigners for their less in the Boxe
r war. the customs receipts could be aug
1 mented to one hundred and twent
e million taels In gold at an earl
z date" In view Of this assertion,
q seems but a moderate request on tn
part of the Chinese Commissioners tina
the foreign customs be increased b
y one-third only.
5t Our own State Department ha
t. shown repeatedly a willingness I
10 make the payment of the indemnity q
4. easy as possible for China and W
" learn with satisfaction by a telegraI
II from Berlin that the Chinese prOpOss
l. is regarded with approval. On th
ss other hand, Lord Cranborne, speakin
l. In the House Of Commons on Tlesda,
q said that the British Government II
mained opposed to any increase of Oh
., import tariff in China beyond a raj
III ing of the duty to an actual per cen
I'D ad valorem. payable, we presume,
adj gold, except in connection with
ngl scheme to reform the treatment
n foreign trade" BY the words in qu
tation marks we understand that Lo
Cranborne has in mind the substit