The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-13
CHlNA'S CLAIMS
THE OLD CELESTIAL EMPIRE MUST
 BE RECKONED WITH.
The Jap-Russiau War Was Fought on Her Territory and Her Peo-
 ple Were the Suf-
 fererR, t
Washington Special.

Washington Special. l China is preparing to inject herself | into the Russian Japanese settlement. Both of the late belligerents will be | called on to pay large sums to China, | on account of damages sustained by Chinese subjects in the war zone. China will also take her time in rati- flying the transfer from Russia to Ja- pan of the leases on Port Arthur, Dalny .and the Lioa Tung peninsula. and will not approve of the change un- l til she has received assurances from l both powers that Chinese rights in the territory involved shall be fully guard ed.
 The above facts were secured at the Chinese legation here today It was stated without reservation that China must be taken into account by Russia and Japan in the settlement of the war expenses. A member of the Chinese legation said that the claims against the belligerents would amount to a large sum of money. The war has lasted for nearly two years.' he said. and was confined almost entirely to Chinese territory. The Chinese people had to bear the real brunt of the hard ships. Their farms were denudea of crops and their stores confiscated by the two armies. Their business was interrupted and commerce destroyed. For eighteen months all commercial activities were paralyzed over a large area. The belligerents must pay for the damage. I do not think there will be any trouble over this feature, for it Is an accepted principle that armies op- erating in the field must reimburse the innocent for the destruction of private property. Much of the damage in- ficted was on property owned by the Chinese government, but Chinese sub jects were the greatest sufferers"
 It is also stated at tho Chinese em- bassy that the Emperor of China will proceed slowly in executing the trans fer of the leases on Port Arthur. Dalny and the Liao Tung peninsula. These leases were secured several years ago by Russia and are to run for twenty five years. One of the peace terms provided for the handing over of these privileges to Japan. Of course 1t is necessary that the consent of the Chi nese government shall be secured to this arrangement. Neither Russia nor Japan thinks that any serious hitch will occur by reason of the obstinacy of the Chinese government in this mat ter.
 China is not in a position to inter- fere with the peace arrangements, and in the end will ratify the transfer of the leases beyond any doubt. Inquiry dh LHe SdlHCbS cllbhSGy hNTe lHdlCdtGS that Japan will not be required to pay to China any cash consideration for the leasing privileges.
 It seems that the turning over of the Liao Tung peninsula to Russia was provided for in a secret treaty of the kind alleged to have been recently en- tered into by the Mikado and the Cxar. It Is stated that less than half dozen Chinese officials have seen this secret treaty. Apparently China got nothing in return for the valuable concession. It is understood that China is to make an effort to guarantee the surrender of the Liao Tung peninsula to her sov- ereignty after the expiration of the present lease. The lease will run for about twenty years more. It Is con sidered very doubtful that Japan will let this property slip out of her fin- gers. She certainly proposes to hold Port Arthur in her perpetuity, although she will merely acquire 1t by virtue of lease, The Mikado spent too many lives in capturing the stronghold to hand 1t back to Chinese government at the end of the present lease.
 It S also learned that China will ex- anime closely into the cessioH of sthe Russian railroad from Port Arthur to Kuangedtze, as provided in the Ports mouth treaty. This road traverses Chinese territory and the Chinese gov ernment has certain rights to protect here.
 It Is becoming more and more ap- parent that China proposes to pursue an aggressive policy from now on. Ev- idences of this fact are encountered every day As before stated, strong representations are to be made to Rus sta and Japan regarding the reimburse- ment of Chinese subjects for losses sus- tained in the war, while China proposes to see that her rights in the leased territory are properly safeguarded The United States has felt the influence of the Chinese policy in the boycott of our goods throughout the empire It is admitted at the legation here that Chinese diplomacy In the future will differ widely from that of the past. It will be marked by progress and ag- gresslveness. a'.-