CHINA: Boxer Indemnity

The Chinese Government once again protested against paying the Boxer indemnity in gold to France (TIME, Nov. 19). In an answer to a note from the eight Powers which were parties to the Protocol of 1901 regulating payments of the Boxer indemnity, the Chinese Government declined to accept the interpretation of the words “gold debt” as meaning that payment must be made in gold. Accordingly the Government insisted that France must accept payment in French currency without compensation for the low rate of exchange.

The Chinese Government held that the Powers having dictated how China must pay, cannot now place “a new interpretation” on the arrangement.