The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-07-17
Desires Good Offices Of United
States TO Relieve Her Finan-
cial Distress.
PEOPLE GR0AN UNDER TAXES.
If Forced to Pay Boxer Indemnity
on Terms Demanded by Powers
Utter Ruin Will FOllOw-FOr-
eign Commerce in Danger.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Washington. July l6.-Encourdged by the
manner in which Secretary Hay swung the
powers around to the United States len
tent. commOn-sense policy in the restoration
OF Tien-Ts.n. the Chinese Government de-
sires this Government TO extend its good
offices TO prevent China from being COM
PEELED to pay the Boxer indemnity in gold.
WI Ting-fang rode to the State Depart
ment in his automobile to-day. and, after
informing Secretary Hay that he had re-
ceived official notification OF his recall. pre-
sented a long cable from the Niceroys Lu
Kun YIh and Gang Chih Tung-
1t recited China's financial straits. which
will result in ruination II forced TO pay the
indemnity at the terms demanded by some
of the Powers. Prominent in the com
munication Is the significant statement that
China's revenues are SoOpp0Oo taels per year
OF which 50.COOcoo must each year be "p-
piled on the national debt. leaving only
100000 for administrative expenses.
situation Summed Up.
The message opens with the clearest ex-
position Of the attitude OF the Powers yet
made public Here is the text:
The United States is willing to accept
silver; Great Britain is willing 10 accept sii-
yer; Russia and France propose the coIec-
ton OF important duties in gold i: IS also
known Japan Has AfoN e@"S
cIded position.
Attempts to raise revenues from ncv
sources on the part OF the provincial au-
thorlties in many instances, have created
local disturbances. In case heavier taxes
are imposed an uprising Of the people VIII
be the natural result Since the various
payments admit OF no delay on the dates
on which they seVerally fall due, money
has TO be taken from other funds In orcrr
TO meet the pressing demand
1T has already appeared 10 De oeyono
China's ability TO make the payments, even
in silver in accordance with the treaty.
The foreign Powers know full wen me
financial resources Of China When the m
sion the total amount was repeatedly re-
duced.
ITO make indemnity payments in silver
does not, even according TO the present rate
OF gold, entail a great loss upon the FOR
eign Powers. since such loss. II any, is d.
yided among them. Moreover. when II iS
at once decided that the indemnity pay
ments shall be made IN silver. the price OF
gold will doubtless gradually become more
EQUITABLE and the Powers. by exchanging
silver for gold. will not suffer loss
IF payments in gold are required. the
price OF gold will undoubtedly rise TO
shillings 10 the tael. Now all merchants
already suffered great losses II the price
OF gold continues to rise the prices Of for
eign goods will have to rise with It Owing
10 the empty treasury of China and the
will be able to AFFORD to buy foreign goods
at their enhanced prices
Thus, to demand payment IN gold only
impairs the financial power Of China with
out benetiting the financial condition Of the
foreign Governments In any way Only
few bankers will reap all the advantages
and commerce at the same time will re-
ceiye a severe blow.