The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-16
The Viceroy Of TientSin Corn
manded to Plead.
A NOTEWORTHY INTERVIEW.
Talks on the Californian Chi
nese Question.
ABOUT THE PRESIDENCY.

There was no special interest in our jour-
ney from Pekin to Tientsip. and l write
this letter especially to record con-
versaton between General Grant and the Vice.
roy Of this province Li-Hung Chang now the
foremost statesman in China In my last letter
gave you the synopsis of a notable conversation
between the General and His Imperial Highness
Prince Kung. the Prince Regent of the Empire.
was led to dwell upon that conversation. not alone
because its interest and its picturesqueness. but
from the diplomatic value which attached to it as
tic request OF the Chinese government to
General Grant to act mediator between
this Empire and Japan. The outside nations
tions-wth what remains of Russian and Turk
ish wars, with what is threatened by Commune
and socialistic phenomena in Russia and California
that this cloud in far Eastern sky is overlooked
CHINA JAPAN.
And yet, far the peace of the world is
concerned, it's commercial advantage and the
prosperity of European nations. peace
between China and Japan is Of primary i'm
population alone rank among the first Powers of
the world. China the first indisputably; Japan,
With France and Germany. OF their civilization You
speak well can, because the extent and value
If Eastern civilization have been determined
oy those who know those countries best. One of
The ablest and mos. widely known of the gentle
in the service OF the Chinese government
made remark this subject that
pregnant with meaning. II have known China for
many years. have lived the best part OF my life
OF my active. useful life--in China. / know the
language ana have an acquaintance with the high
and cultured classes have studied China. and yet
look back i feel so vast and intricate is the
theme. that know nothing abou, China!' China
has been regarded kind of jungle forest to be
ridden through. and cut down. and cleared away-a
good shooting preserve for armies and navies grow
ing rusty. to be hacked by Russia to-day and England
tomorrow. during the intervals when they are
not hacking one another.
JAPAN'S PLACE THE WORLD.
From what hear of Japan, and read in the way Of
diplomatic correspondence over commercial treaties.
do not think it occupies a much better position.
In Japan. however, there has been u movement
toward Eu!oi csn ideas, which began with the
treaties negotiated by Com .nodore Perry which
gathered momentum in the famous japanese En-
bassy to America 1860 which took fierce volume
under the present Emperor. and which has changed
the face of the country much IL OF her tur
buent volcanoes had broken through the rocks of
ages and swept ashes and fire and burning
mari over the who.a Empire. Whether that
change is for good evil. whether 1t affects
the deep-seated faith of the people, whether it is
doomed to disappear like the European influences
that ragged during the time of Francis Xavier,
whether. in fact. it is a surface change a radical
permanent regeneration. questions which every
one i'll the East is asking. but upon which would
rather speak-if there is anything worthy of
saying-whcn come to Japan. But Japan is y rich
ambitious and aspiring empire. She has endless
sources. She has taken from the best ,materia.
points of civilization. She has guns and tele-
graphs and railroads. She has to WELD these
influences who have studied in the best schools Of
America and England
THE WAR cL.uD.
When an empire like this takes a position that
brings her before the tribunals of international law
and when in doing her antagonist is China, it
that the issue is that deeply concerns the
outside world. II any information on this subject
came from the decks of ships or the antochambers
of consuates would dismiss 1t among the rd-
mors that are always flying around the Chinese ss.
This is world rich in rumors. Europeans the
outside walls of China like vulture on the walls
OF Parsee tower OF silence. waiting for the little
they pick up ami eat and carry away. There
ire always rumorj-os feast today the next Of
something coming. But 1t has been my fortune TO
take part in certain conversations in which the prn-
cipal part was borne by the Prince Regent of tine
Empire and by the yiceroy. These conversat, ons
concerned the peace OF the world because peace in
the East largely the world. You know what
Prince kuns thinks on the question at issue be-
tween China and Japan. That was the view of the
most eminet prince in the sovereign house of
China. This letter will give you tho views OF
Li-Hung Chang, the most powerful of the Chinese
subjects Prince kung spoke for tho imperial
fanIilyfor that Tartar dynasty which has governed
China tor generations. The Niceroy lie Il Chinaman
and speaks for the governed race. What Impressed
me IN these convorsatons was that the viceroy was
even more emphatic and determined in his views of
the rights Of China and of tho policy that should DO
adopted toward Japan than the Tartar prince whose
will has had its way in China for nearly twenty
years.
THE vfcERoY CALLS on GENERAL GRANT.
When Prince kung saw General Grant in pekin
he said that no would write lhe viceroy to see the
General anu continue The conversation on the mat
ter at issue with Japan. General Grant reached
rientsln IN the morning, and at early hour--be
fore brclkiast-thc General received message from
the Vccroy that he was on his way. The General
sent word that lie wonld await the vccroy at the
house OF Judge Denny, the Consul The visit
OF NicerOy is always matter of ccrc-
mouy. lie comes IN state. You receive him with
guards with cannon and with music. lie comes
with a small army az a retnue, with his banners,
his guard his chairbearers and attendants running
ahead. Our guard of honor hurricdly marching
up from the Ashuolot amt formed beneath the trees
ia front OF the Consulate. under tbs command Of
Lieutenant Bclknap. tho executive officer Of the ship,
assisted by Mr. ID. Freeman, III. Deoring and Mr.
Case also officers OF the ship. NJ. Calender, an
other oi the officers came up with a howiizer and
ranged IL at tae end of the line. Tl band took po-
rilcr and, as the Chinese u curious people, they
came IN swarms to the military display,
aud especially the viceroy. Worry tho