The Washington herald., 1911-10-22

large and officers of the State Depart
ment say that they can readily believe
that China is on the verge of financial
embarrassment. s,s- - '..
y Ckina's Heavy Burden.
The Boxer indemnity grew out of the
anti-foreign movement In China in the
summer of 1900 when the members OF
the foreign legations were besieged in
Pekin, and it became necessary to send
joint international force for their re-
lief In addition there were disorders in
different parts of the empire and much
foreign property was damaged. w. w.
Rockhill, now Ambassador to Turkey,
was sent to China as special ambassador
for the settlement of the American
claims after peace had been restored and
the foreigners in Pekin relieved.
Mr.. RockhiIl was instructed to ask for
a total indemnity of not more than $780,
OOO, 900, but the representatives of other
nations who had been put to greater ex-
pense and whose subjects had suffered
greater damages, insisted upon a total
indemnity of 49, 600 Haikwan taels, or
about $685., 100000. The American share of
this indemnity was $24, 40 rs. The other
governments which shared in the in
demnity were Germany, Austria-Hungary,
Belgium, SPAIN France, Great Britain,
Italy, Japan, Netherlands, and Russia.
The final protocol by the representa-
tives of the powers and China was
signed at Pel<in on September 7, 1901, and
provided for many other reforms and con-
cessions in addition to the large in
demnity. The Chinese government agreed
to pay the indemnity by the issue of five
series of bonds to pay per cent interest
and to run until 1910.
Grateful for Courtesy.
In 1908 Elihu Root, then Secretary of
State, made a report to President RoOse-
welt showing that the total expense and
damage suffered by the American gov
ernment and its citizens was 81, 492,
or less than One-half of the American
share of the indemnity. President ROose-
welt sent a message to Congress urging
the return of the excess over the actual
cost to the United States. This recon-
mendation was adopted by Congress,
and the return of approximately one
half of the American share of the in
demnity was ordered. In recognition of
this act of friendship, China utilized the
money refunded in educating Chinese
stulents at American institutions. The
amount paid to the United States
is about $4,000.
II Is aunlIleQ mere tnat the Oe1eat OF
the imperial troops at Hankow is a Sc
we're blow to the Chinese government,
and officers of the State Department eX-
peCt the revolutionary movement TO
spread rapidly to other quarters of the
empire. The State Department has re-
Ceived a dispatch from the Chinese Le-
cation here saying that the vicerOy of
Honan had estimated the rebel loss at
zoo killed and wounded in the recent en-
gagement, whereas the government
troops lost only about 100 He added
that one of the rebel leaders was Killed
Believe Losses MInimiEed.
The viceroy added that he believed
that the uprising in the province of
Hupeh will be speedily crushed, and
that there are no other disturbances in
other sections of the empire. The en-
sagement, he added took place south Of
the River Sheh, six miles north OF
IankOw. The officers of the State De-
Oartment believe, however, that this dis
DatCh gives a more favorable report Of
he situation than actually exists.
To be prepared for a threatened out
freak at Nankin. the Navy Department
$ rushing war vessels to that port. The
,ruiser New Orleans and the torpedo
,Oats Barry and Decatur are speeding
rom Shanghai for Nankin. The cruiser
Rainbow, with Rear Admiral Joseph B.
# the Asiauc fleet, on board, has left |
Manila for Shanghai. The Albany also
S en- route from Manila for Shanghai. !