The Washington herald., 1907-06-20
THURSDAY. JUNE %. 1901.
An Act of Justice to China.

President Roosevelt steps into the ORR
entail situation at the psychological mo-
ment with a square deal for China-the
REIMBURSEMENT Of that portion of the
Boxer indemnity which stands for puni-
tive damages as distinguished from actual
claims for personal injuries, property
losses. and cost OF military operations
We can well afford To cancel the balance
OF indemnity cue after settling private
claims and reimbursing the Treasury for
expenses on account of the expedition
10 Pekin for the relief Of the legations.
and so wash our hands entirely Of all
part or lot in the disgraceful loot Of the
Chinese enforced upon that people by Eu-
TOpean powers. During the negotiations
subsequent 20 the Boxer troubles, the
United States government Counseled mod
Grafton, and succeeded in obtaining a
considerable reduction of the claims
against China. which were originally
placed at the enormous sum of 1893, 600. 900
To the idea that China should be mulcted
Of this heavy indemnity in order to teach
her a lesson in International obligations
this government never subscribed. We
would have been content then. as we are
now, with an indemnity covering actual
loss and expenditure. but the other pow
eTs were bent on getting all they could
out Of the situation. and we took our
share As this share now proves 10 be
more than is necessary for an equitable
indemnity, the President has done we'll TO
decide on recommending to Congress the
cancellation OF the surplus.
It is not the first time the United States
has repaid to China the excess Of an IN
demnity over the actual value Of the
claims settled. BY the terms Of treaty
agreed upon in 1855 the Chinese government
paid Us something over $735,0O0 in satisfac-
ton and adjustment Of claims Of American
citizens residing in China. There were
paid out OF this fund claims amounting to
S4Se,000 leaving a balance which remained
in the United States Treasury until 1885.
when it amounted, with interest, to S453.-
co. In that year Congress authorized the
payment Of this sum to the Chinese Minis
ter in Washington, thus carrying out a rec
Chanan more than twenty-five years
previously. Mr.. Roosevelts recommended
ton has precedent, therefore but Il has
something more to commend it, in that it
accords completely with the fine tradi-
tons CT American foreign policy, which
has been conducted by a long line Of
Secretaries of State on a high plane Of
moderation, justice and fair-dealing.
In his annual message to Congress in
1901, President Roosevelt adverting to
the Boxer troubles and the subsequent
negotiations with China. said that this
government had unswervingly advocated
moderation, and remarked that Hit be-
hooves US TO continue in these paths,
doing what lies in our power to foster
feelings Of good will, and leaving no
effort untried TO work out the great policy
of full and fair intercourse between China
and the nations, on a footing Of equal
rights and advantages to all" His pres
ent recommendation is but a continual
ton Of the policy here laid down. and
It must inevitably produce a most happy
effect upon the Chinese government.
whatever may be thought Of il in Euro
pean chancelleries. II means that we
shall do all in our power to maintain un-
broken the traditional amity and justice
Of our relations with the Oriental peoples