Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-07
PRICES PAID FOR PEACE.
Indcninltics That Have Bccn ExncteL
during the Past Century.

In principle war indemnities may be
regarded as "thc costs Of the action"
i'll practice they are apt to become con-
founded with the object of the quarrel.
Napoleon, says the Daily telegraph cost
Great Britain alone the greater part of
LS3l QUO, 900 before he WIS finally sup
pressed at Waterloo; but under the treaty
of Paris US15), France paid only 42S, OOD 60
to England, Prussia and Russia together
In the impoverished condition of Louis
XVIl1.'s domin'ons. however, it was
thought advisable TO spread even this
comparatively modest reimbursement
over a period of five years. and it was
divided into fifteen instalmcnts of Gl.siO.-
900 EACH one of which fell due every four
months
Coming to more recent tines, We find
in 1871 what is always regarded as the
supreme example of a war indemnity.
Under the treaty of Frankfort dS7D,
France paid ransom of 10000. 100. In
demanding this colossal sum Bismarck
had in his mind two distinct intentions
They were TO replonish Gormany's emp
tied war chest and by gripping her antag-
onst financially TO proven, her from re-
viving to q condition in which she could
have renewed hostiities before time had
soOthed her wounded prdc and assuaged
the desire for Ia revanche." That the
latter purpose might moro completely
be fulfilled. payment in cash. and over
very short period. was imposed. The
first instalmcnt was go 10000. and it
WAS provided by the stipulations Of the
treaty that it should ~ handed over
one month after the Fre.rh government
had obtained possession of Paris from
the commune. a further 100000 was to
bc liGuidated before the nd OF the year.
G2o6O.OW more on Ma! l. 1872, and the
balance Of Gl20 nr0roo on May 2. 1874.
Moreover. interest at the rate of five per
cent. had to be paid until the money
had actually changed hands. The man.
ner in which France discharged this cnor-
nous debt is one of the most remarkable
displays Of the latent well'h of nation
to he found in history. To the astonsh-
ment Of the whole world, the c9O0, 900 OOO
WAS placed ut the disposal of the con-
ql"ror SIX months bofor' the eXpiry of
tho prescribed term.
Another LARGE indemnity Of recent times
was that ENACTED by Russia from Turkey
in 1878. after the Czars armies had
fought their way to tho gates of Con-
stantinople. The terms agreed to Mt San
StcfanO underwent considerable modti-
cation at the subsequent international
congress. but under the treaty of Ber-
lin. Turkey undertook to pay CSC. 100000
It was stipulated however. that the
ottoman government. never very
prompt settler of accounts, should be
allowed long period OF years in which
to find the money Some of it is still
owing.
Japan had precedent of her own in
this matter. an indemnity having formed
an important feature IN the fruits OF her
triumph over China in 1885. Tho amount
demanded was conri1, rahlv increased af-
tor the intervention Of Russia. Germany
and Franco had deprived the victorious
islanders OF fhe I.iao.rung peninsula and
the fortress OF Port Arthur Under tho
eventual treaty OF Shimonoselii, China
paid 200, 900 ON tacis
This would he equivalent to about Go6,-
6o1,oOO in English currency. Turkey was
very anxious to obtain substantial in
dcmnity from Greece in 1897 but n finan-
cial commission appointed by tho pow
ers could not afford to satisfy the Otto
man demand. md e+ofooNo was In the
end fixed on as the outside limit Of tho
pecuniary compensation in this case.
At tho conclusion Of hostilitics between
the United States and Spain was seen
the unusual spectacle of tho victor nav
ing an indemnity. as n kind of cash
change in return for territorial conccs.
sions that seemed rather more than the
circumstance OF the case required.