New-York tribune., 1902-03-19
BRITISH ACTION IN CHINA.
APPARENT CONCORD WITH AMERICA IN
NEGOTIATIONS

LONDON March 1S.-ConCident with the
OF alarming rebellions in three provinces of
China, the Foreign Office here to-day issued a
Voluminous blue book dealing with the pro-
tracted negotiations between China and the
powers from March IS 1901 TO September Z
lSol' when the final protocol signed In its
20 pages OF diplomatic dispatches edicts and
digests of China's financial capabilities there is
ample evidence that the negotiations formed an
intricate web Of international differences. One
striking quotation. peculiarly apt to the present
Far Eastern situation, can be extracted from a
dispatch OF the British Ambassador at St
Petersburg. Sir Charles S. Scott to Lord Ians-
downe. the British Foreign Secretary in which
Count Lamsdorf. the Russian Foreign Minister
is quoted saying he was pleased at the fact
that the British Government was desIrous OF
Fastening return to normal conditions in
Chino. but he dreaded the possibility of fresh
outburets OF anti-foreign fenaticism.
Through the extended negotiations on the sub
tect OF the amount division and method of pay
ment Of the Chinese Indemnity Grcat Britain
and the United States appear from the blue
book 10 have worked hand in hand. though op-
posed by all the other powers. After learning
OF the adverse attitude Of the Continental powers
toward the American proposition 70 reduce the
indemnity 10 f40.0000O0 Lord Lansdowne in
structed Sir Ernest Satow. the British Minister
at Peking that the figure erred on the side Of
nberalty. though he was ready 10 agree 20 a
more moderate reduction.
Russia and the other powers streuuously held
out for a Joint international guarantee Of the
Chinese loan This appears to have formed the
rock on which the powers almost split. Lord
Lansdowne refused TO hear OF a guarantee and
Sir Ernest Satow sent dispatch $ follows:
international guarantee. Mr.. RoCkhiH (the
United States special commissioner states that
the President is most anxious to bring about
reduction I'm the indemnity. Personally. Mr.
Rockhil Is disposed to abandon the limitation
to forty millions If the powers would agree a
declaration in favor of reducing the amount
In this as in most OF the other cardinal points
Anglo-Amercan diplomacy tr,umphad though
the American proposal TO submit the indemnity
question 20 The Hague Court Of Arbitration
met with a refusal on all sides including Great
Britain
Gerald Lowther Ohen secretary OF the British
Embassy at Washington and now British Min
lister 10 Child sent interesting dispatch 10
Lord Lansdowne on June 10 1901 saying that
Mr.. Hill assistant Secretary OF State had told
him that the Russian and French amba ssa doris
strongly and repeatedly urging the United
States not TO oppose increase in the mari
time customs OF China, and that they were also
using every effort 10 induce tho United States
to agree TO a joint guarantee loan. Mr., Hill.
according 10 Mr. Lowther. said the United States
would not agree TO a general increase OF the
maritime customs. though It might agree to an
increase in the duties certain articles. and he
told the ambassadors of France and Russia that
Congress would never consent 70 the
financial liability OF guaranteeing 4 loan.
The blue book contains only one important
reference to Manchuria. The British Abassador
at ST. Petersburg. writing to Lord Lansdowne.
quotes Count Lamsdorf. April u. 1901 say
ing that the Car adhered unswerviuRly to his
intention, frankly and frequently declared TO
withdraw the Russian troops and restore Man
churia to its former Chinese admnstra ton so
as the normal state of affairs and the
instatement at Peking of a legitimate. inde-
pendent central government. capable Of main
tanning order in the empire. permitted Russian
evacuation.
The British Minister at Peking. on July >
1901. summed UP long series of imperial de-
crees promulgated for the purpose OF reforming
abuses by saying:
They may be regarded as the first step in the
right direction, but the DEGREES by themselves
will not do much to remedy the existing evils.
What lies the root of the present malad-
ministration is the sale of posts and the merely
nominal salaries, which compel the mandarins
to accept irregular sources Of income. II China
succeeds in shaking off this incubus she will
have achieved what other nation afflicted by
a similar curse has ever yet accomplished.
EOR pRJTISJJ wAncuIDS