Affairs in China

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 28, 1903

Affairs in China.—A few weeks ago it was announced that China would pay her indemnity instalments in silver. She was warned by the powers that if she persisted in her intention, grave consequences would follow—that meant another war. Now China has given the powers another problem. She has declared her utter inability to pay the indemnity in gold unless she be permitted to collect the customs receipts in gold. That means a virtual doubling of the customs charges at her various ports of entry. That question is now being seriously debated by the powers. If they refuse permission, there is a possibility of another war, in view of that government's authoritative declaration that it can not pay in gold while it collects customs receipts in silver. Driven to desperation, it is feared that China may choose war rather than further pressure, and this contingency is causing uneasiness. The Chinese “censors” have asked the empress dowager to abdicate in favor of the emperor, and strongly urge the necessity of such an act. Russia continues to pour immigrants into Manchuria, and gives no sign of an intention to relinquish her control of that province. A correspondent in the field states that there is no likelihood of any interruption of Russia's progress in the absorption of Manchuria by any power, European or American.