The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-05
= Settling Boxer Damages.

1t Is reported from washington tnat tne
state department will begin the distribu-
ton Of the first installment Of the Chinese
indemnity funds at once, although the
amount received is only 100000, while the
claims commission has passed upon sixty
claims amounting to 100000. The aggre--
gate of the claims Of missionary societies
and individuals in this country for the
damages incurred by the Boxer outbreak
is stated in Washington dispatch to
amount to $2,5Oo,000, apparently meaning
that such amount Is the sum total OF
these claims. AS the original claim of
our government amounted to 100000, 1t
is evident that this was greatly in excess
of legitimate demands, but it was an
nounced from Washington that our gov
eminent would waive the payment of
$4,000, 900 of the claim. This has pre-
sumably been done. Great Britain modi-
fed her claim a little, while Germany,
Russia and France stuck to very unrea-
sonable figures, Russia putting in bill
for s9o,0Oo,00o for war expenses alone.
The United States and Great Britain
sought to modify the burden imposed upon
China, but were not able to accomplish
much, and, when the question came up
whether the aggregate indemnity of 45O,-
O00 900 taels should be paid on the gold Or
the silver basis, our government continued
it's good offices for China by proposing
that China be allowed to collect her GUS
toms dues in gold instead of silver, SO
that she would be able to pay the indem-
nifty in gold, as required This was not ac
coded to. - = q
Our government has since tried too get
the powers to recall the determination
to force China to pay in gold and permit
her to pay the $50, 900, 600 Haikwan .taels
at the value set forth in the protocol
when it was signed, which was IS cents
teal, suggesting the taking into con-
sideration the heavy depreciation of sill
yer since the protocol was signed. This
would make a difference of from $50 ,OOO,-
600 to $75,000,0 900 to China. The injustice
of forcing. that country to pay. 1897 500, =
900 In gold when she collects her revenue
in silver, especially under existing con-
dit1ons when it is very desirable, for COM
mercial reasons, to say the least, for the
western nations to maintain China's good
will, is easily recognizable. But not a ma
ton but ours has urged a modification of
the terms of indemnity payment on the
ground of the depreciation of silver, or on
any other ground
Sufficient information as to the negotia-
ton Of the new commercial treaties with
China IS wanting as yet, but it Is strongly
affirmed that China has proposed the
| abolition Of the present system of inland
| taxation, under which foreign goods in
| transit are heavily levied upon by the
| Chinese tax gatherers, who exact enough
to line their own pockets and make some
kind of return to the imperial treasury
MIR. Rockhill, who is entitled to speak with
authority on the subject of Chinese at
fairs, says that the root Of Chinas ma.
tional peril is the abominable dishonesty
Of her system Of internal revenue collec
ton, and that her disruption, if it comes
will be due to that cause, for that preda
tory process is a bar to commercial prog
ress and an obstruction to industrial de
velopment. Only onetenth of what is ex
torted by the revenue collectors eve
reaches the provincial or the imperia
| treasures.