The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-21
THE EASTERN CRISIS.
Interview with Ii Hung Chang-China VIII
Fight If Necessary


Fight If necessary.
New York Herald's Shanghai Special
Events in China arising from the Tonquin
question are becoming critical. France sends
here special envoy, M. Tricou, who was
formerly minister to Egypt and latterly to
Japan. China orders Lii Hung Chang. the
Grand Secretary, to Shanghai with power to
confer with the French ambassador. Ii
Hung Chang arrived few days ago. He
displayed much pomp living in the foreign
quarter, thing unknown previously in a
high mandarin. NJ Tricou arrived last week.
He had several conferences. The German
minister, Herr Won Brandt; the English, Rus
sian, Italian and Spanish ministers have re-
turned home. The American and japanese
ministers are the only ENJOYS in China. Sir
HI. Parkes, the new British minister is ex-
pected in September
The American minister strenuously urges
a settlement, regarding Ii Hung Chang as the
sole statesman favoring progress in China,
and would regard his fall as throwing China
in to the arms OF a reactIonary party, gravely
wounding foreign interests. He can see no
glory in a great nation like France fighting
the Chinese peaceful, impassive, docile
and industrious race, who regard war with
aversion, who would gladly accept any COM
promise except humiliation to avoid war
NJ. Bouree, the retiring minister of France
is deeply distressed at the situation. He sees
no honor to France in a conflict. believing
that his own plan of settlement saved the
essential rights OF France without wounding
the honor OF China
Lii Hung Chang was interviewed by the
Herald correspondent The Chinese states
man said:
81 was summoned from mourning my
mothers death according to Chinese custom
l was then ordered TO assume command of
the four southern provinces. and have now
come to Shanghai to consult NJ. Tricou.
am very anxious to arrive at a settlement
with France, if France shows disposition
to make a settlement. 1t was only after long
negotiations and much difficulty that sue
ceeded in bringing myself to consent to the
concessions formulated in NJ. Bouree's treaty.
Moreover, it was distinctly understood that
France was approving step by step, what
NJ. Bouree was doing.
THE subsequent opening of the whole
question" Lii Hung Chang continued, was
great surprise to me. From time immemo-
rial Tonquin and Amman have been Chinese
tributaries. 1t has many times happened
that the Emperor of China sent armies to
AMMAN during periods of disatfection to COM
pei the return of the people to their allegi-
anee. Ii is true that China never interferes
in their local affairs, but always regards these
provinces as the United States regards Texas
or Ohio. l shall not despair of pre-
serving peace until have appealed frankly
to the sense of justice and honor of the great
French people. l firmly believe that thew
will never support ministry that wantonly
infringes and violates the rights Of China
hitherto undisturbed and coEsecrated from
time immemorial. l was always alarmed
for the preservation of peace so long as NJ
Gambetta was the exponent of French ambi-
ton. His correspondence with the Chinese
envoy at Paris proves this. When NJ. Gam
beta died felt relief. Inow see 1T makes no
difference.
''If war comes it will be because war is
forced upon China; ii will be because China
is driven to the wall | regret TO say that
have been obliged to command in one war,
and now ! am prepared to command in
another ! shall, however first exhaust ell
the resources of diplomacy. l especially
would seek the good offices OF the friendly
powers-America, England and Germany"
said Lii Hung Chang in conclusion
Mercantile and foreign sentiment is war
like. War means business, and western ad-
venturers who seek enterprise glory and ag-
grandzement in Asia would welcome war
because they think the destruction of the
Chinese army and navy, and consequent
financial trouble would inevitably throw the
vast empire at their mercy. In the opinion
of many war would act as O volcanic infiu-
ence, opening China violently to foreign
methods of trade. 1t has been the policy of
Ii Hung Chang to accomplish this steadily,
gradually and surely. He is anxious to CON
struct railroads and telegraphs, and is will
ing to accept any foreign agency that would
really benefit China.