Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.
(Mr. Rockhill reports that all the powers will without a doubt soon agree to limit the idemnity to 450,000,000 taels, and that Germany, Great Britain, and Italy have already done so officially. Expresses the [Page 373] opinion that a transfer of the question to The Hague would have no other use than to cause delay, and asks whether he should make a proposition to so transfer it or agree to the amount as limited. Inquires whether the United States would agree to a proposition of the Japanese to the British Government tending to the abolition of all likin dues on imports to be compensated by an advance to 10 per cent of Chinese tariff on imports. Suggests that other compensations might be obtained in addition.)