AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12448, 3 September 1902, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, September 1. (Received Sept. 2, at 9.43 a.m.) The Government has instructed Mr Conger to conclude a treaty with China, similar to, that of the Anglo-Chinese Treaty, and to secure for the United States any of the trade advantages given to the British. September 2. (Received Sept. 2, at 9.47 p.m.) Reuter's Agency states that China has rescinded the abolition of the likin until all the Powers have agreed to increase the import and export duties. San Francisco mail news advises that despatches from Shanghai indicate a hitcli in the negotiations between Sir James Mac-k-ay, British Tariff Commissioner, and the Chinese Commissioners for the adoption of Sir James's plan for Chinese tariff revision. The difference arose from the fact that the Chinese objected to the British regulations concerning inland navigation, the abolition of the likin, and the provincial transit duty. The American Commissioners assured Liu Kun Yo, Viceroy of Nankin, that the United States would never consent to the abolition of the likin duty, because the bulk of American exports go to Manchuria and the northern provinces, where there is no likin. Dr John Fryer, Agazzin Professor of Oriental Languages and Literature at the University of California, has just returned from China. He writes that the conditions in the Orient are causing apprehension. The collection of thb indemnity is pressing hard on all the people of China, and this is deemed unjust, because the Chinese in the southern and western provinces had nothing to do with the Boxer uprising, and were, iiideed, opposed to it from the first. The situation is made more intolerable by the officials, who collect in extra taxes much mo'ro than is needed for the indemnity, pocketing the difference. The outcome is likely to stir up a rebellion, and one likely to be serioup. Professor Fryer believes that the Powers pursued a wrong course ill permitting tlie Chinese Government to resort to internal collections to meet the indemnity. They were led on by feiiT of interfering with foreign trade if additional duties were levied. It is acknowledged that tlie collection of the indemnity is salutary and necessary, but Some feel it should be collected in silver rather than in gold. It is becoming apparent that the proper course to pursue Was- to punish, the Imperial authorities and those directly responsible for the attack on tho Legations. The failure to do this has resulted not only in sparing the guilty, but in making it possible for these to punish the innocent, and still further inflamo the masses against the Westerners, who are regarded as extortioners, while the real robbers are thoie who are using the indemnity as a basis for increased illegal exactions.