New-York tribune., 1907-06-19
CHINA INDEMNITY CUT.
e. S. REDUCES IT'S CLAIM
Actio's Expected to Make for Tran
guilty IN Empire.
iFron The Tribune Bureau. !

washington, June 1S.-The Secretary Of Stat,
has Informed the Chinese Minister that the
United States reliEquishes a portion of the In
dernnity growing out os the Boxer troubles
which. including the interest, amounts to S27,-
100000. The share of indemnity which China
bound herself 10 pay 10 this country after the
Boxer insurrection aggregated S24,OOOOOO. pay
able in seni-annual instalments for period OF
talrty-nine years. while the interest brought the
total Indebtedness up TO S3S,0O0,OO0.
The President and the Secretary of State have
decided that S1i.0OO.0O0 principal will cover all
tae damages TO which this country is justly en-
titled, and have informed Sir Chentung Lang
Caeng VINO. - turn, has advised his govern
ment OF their decision. The $11.000.000. plus
the interest. as now calculated brings the ag
sregate OF China's Indebtedness up to $4,000
CO. of which amount China has already paid
S5.OOO.oOO, leaving balance due of $4,000, 900.
I'he payment of this remainder will be made the
subject Of new protocol, which will soon De
negotiated
The accomplishment OF this delicate and highly
profitable diplomatic achievement rounds out
the mission of Sir Chentung Liang-Cheng TO
washington most creditably, and, in view of the
fact that he leaves Washington to become the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs at Peking will un-
questionably strengthen his hand in all future
relations between the United States and his
country.
The cancellation of SO large an indebtedness
is the occasion Of the utmost qualification not
only to the minister but to his government and
VIII, 1t is believed, be of far reaching effect in
making for greater prosperity and contentment
IN China Recent troubles in the Chinese EN-
pire have been largely due TO the excessive tax
alton which the defrayment Of the Boxer in
demNties has rendered necessary and the wip-
ing out Of $27,000.000 of that indebtedness
through the generosity of the United States will
materially relieve the government in this re-
spect' while reduction OF taxes and somewhat
increased expenditures for internal improve
ments wlil contribute, it is believed to the tran
ouilIlty and prosperity of China
IT is well known in Washington that II has
always been the intention of the United States
10 relinquish a portion Of the indemnity which
emma undertook to pay result Of the Boxer
troubles. 1t was the purpose of the late Secre-
taIy Hay TO demand q sum materially less than
S24,00Go00. but when it became apparent that
o-ler powers which had suffered with the United
States during the siege Of Peling purposed TO
demand indemnities which. in their estimation
would constitute an aggregate equal to China
aoiilty 10 pay, Secretary Hay recommended to
the President that the United States nut in a
c4alIn Ior It's full share of such total, with the
purpose or relnquishing at some future time all
III excess OF what might be considered a Just and
adequate indemnity
Inc United States would, of course he graf
Nhtu II It's course in relinQuishing more than
halr Its claim should be accepted as a precedent
py me other nations TO which China is still in
debted, and they should also determine 10 SCALE
uo"h tiIeir cialnss although there is sugges-
uon that such course is likely. There has
oeen some discussion in the Chinese capital OF
the advisability Of endeavoring to bring the
equity Of China's Indebtedness before the Hague
tribunal with the hope that a careful and i'm
partial adjudication would result in relieving
the empire of a considerable portion of the OBJ
legations incurred a result Of the Boxer
troubles. II is not believed likely, however that
China would receive the assistance of this coun-
try in an effort to induce its creditors to sub
init their claims to The Hague although it is felt
that the United States has pointed out the way
hy its magnanimous treatment Of the Celestial
Empire
The moral effect in China of the generous
course which this country has pursued WILL In
the estimation Of the Chinese representatives
in Washington, prove most ssIutary. This coun-
Try il is pointed out. has always been the sin
Cere friend of China, and this demonstration of
such disinterested friendship Will not. 1t is as
serted. be lost sight Of by the Emperor the
Chinese people.
Sir Chentung Liang-Cheng win leave Wash
iugton for Peking on July g. and his successor
Is not expected TO arrive In Washington until
SIX months later. He will be succeeded Min
;e-rr to the United States ny Liang Tun-Yen
another member of the same family. which has
played an important part in the affairs Of China