Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-03

ments were obtained from infornlers and
discharged employees and business rivals.
and upon this kind of secret evidence the
values of imported goods were frequently
raised and heavy penalties were frequent
ly imposed upon importers who were
never permitted to know what the evil
dence was and who never had an oppor-
tunity to meet it.
1t is quite probable that this system
tended toward an increase of the duties
collected upon imported goods. but 1 con-
ceive it to be a violation of law to exact
more duties than the law provides, just
as 1t is a violation to admit goods upon
the payment Of less than the legal rate OF
duty. This practice was repugnant to the
spirit of American law and to American
sense of Justice
In the Judgment of the most competent
experts of the Treasury Department and
the Department of Commerce and Labor
It was wholly unnecessary for the due
collection of the customs revenues, and
the attempt to defend it merely illustrates
the Decentralization which naturally fol-
lows from a long-continued course of re-
lance upon such methods. I accordingly
caused the regulations governing this
branch of the customs service to be modi-
tied SO that values are determined upon
hearing in which all the parties interested
have an opportunity to be heard and to
know the evidence against them. More
over our Treasury agents are accredited
which they seek information, and in Ger
many receive the assistance of the quasi
official chambers of commerce in deter
mining the actual market value of goods.
in accordance with what I am advised to
be the true construction of the law.
These changes of regulations were
adapted to the removal of such manifest
abuses that I have not felt that they
ought to be confined to our relations with
Germany; and I have extended their
fyin lf,,N
have expressed desire to enter into SIM
liar administrative relations.
Agreement With China.
I ask for authority to reform the agree
ment with China under which the indem-
nifty of 1900 was fixed, by renting and
canceling the obligation of China for the
payment of all that part of the stipulated
indemnity which is in excess of the sum
of s11, 655, 492 60 and interest at per cent
After the rescue of the foreign legations
in Picking during the Boxer troubles IN
1900 the powers required from CHINA the
of equitable indemnities to the
several nations, and the final protocol I'M
der which the troops were withdraWn,
signed at Picking, September Z, 1911 nxed
the amount of this indemnity allotted 10
the United States at over $2O,O6O,Vo, ana
China paid, up to and including the lst
day of June last little over s6,OO0.00O.
1t was the first intention Of this govern
ment at the proper time, when all claims
had been presented and all expenses as
certained as fully as possible. to revise
the estimates and account, and as a
proof of sincere friendship for China vol
unfairly to release that country from It's
legal liability for all payments in excess
of the sum which should prove to be nee
essary for actual indemnity to the United
States and it's citizens.
This nation should help in every prac-
ticable way in the education Of the Chi
nese people, so that the vast and populous
empire Of China may gradually adapt it,
self to modern conditions. One way OF
doing this Is by promoting the coming OF
Chinese students to this country and
making 1t attractive to them to take
courses at our universities and higher
institutions. Our educators
should, so far as possible, takeaconcerted
action toward this end.