New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-10
CHINA SEEKS DAMAGES.
MAY GO TO HAGUE COURT.
Claims 4 gainst Russia and Japan for
Losses an Mdnchuria.

Washington Sept. 9.-The spectacle of China
appealing to Russia and Japan to submit to the
arbitrament of the Hague Tribunal the validity
end amount Of her claims against these nations
promises to constitute the next act in the great
drama of civilization which is being enacted IN
the Far East It is learned at the Chinese Le-
CATION that almost simultaneously with the ex-
elusive announcement contained in these dis
patches of July % that China was preparing to
demand of Russia and Japan the reimbursement
of her citizens in Manchuria for the losses they
had suffered as result Of the hostilites in that
province the diplomatic representatives of both
belligerents in Pekng received formal notice
that their countries would be held responsible
for the losses inflicted.
Following this formal notice the Chinese gov
ernment has taken the preliminary steps for
the organization of court courts of claims
modelled after the Spanish Treaty Claims Com
mission sitting in washington. To this
court of claims will be confided the duty of as
certaining beyond all doubt the precise amount
of damage suffered by Chinese citizens in Man
churia, and the reports of this court will be
based the specific demands for reimbursement
hereafter to be made. 1t is fully appreciated
that it will require considerable time to ascer-
tain the precise character and amount of the
damages which the Chinese residents of Man
churia have suffered, and the nation which was
actually reSpOnSlDIe the LOSSES
There is evidently considerable doubt on the
part of the Chinese government regarding the
prornptness with which the validity and ac-
curacy of the claims presented will be recog-
nized by the beigerents. Chinese officials
already suggest that ultimate settlement may
be reached only as the result Of arbitra proceed
ings brought before the Hague Tribunal. With
regard to the validity of the principle involved,
| however they decline to admit that there is the
slightest doubt.
Back and forth over the hills and plains of
Nanchuria have surged the conflicting armies.
with disastrous results to great quantities of
private property. Homes have been destroyed.
stores have been burned and crops have been
ruined The property which thus devas-
tated in almost every instance belonged to pri-
vate invididuals, citizens of a non-combatant
nation, which itself remained neutral and whose
citizens pursued a similar course Under these
circumstances, the Chinese officials say, there
can be no question regarding the validity of the
principle or the equity of the demand for re-
endorsement, and the only chance for dispute
lies in the settlement of the actual amount of
damage involved.
If they say, China should be unable to reach
an agreement with regard to the amount in
voIved with either or both belligerents then the
Hague Tribunal will furnish q complete means
of adjusting the matter and China hopes that
1t will not be rejected by the defendants In what
so closely resembles international suit for
damages.
So far as Is known here. the concessions
granted to Russia for the construction of the
trans -Manchurian and the Chinese railroads in
volved no monetary consideration. and for that
reason it is not likely that China will make any
demand on Japan for rent or other compensa-
ton for the leaseholds which have passed into
| bar iS aHH however hat tha
policy of the Chinese government with regard
to granting railroad concessions has recently
undergone a radical change and that there is a
strong sentiment among the influential classes
in China in favor of government ownership Of
railroads This was exhibited in the efforts OF
the government to repurchase the concession
granted for the Canton-Hankow Railroad,
which has just been brought to a successful
conclusion and there is every indication that
no further railroad concessions will be granted
to private persons. either foreigners or Chinese
cf