The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-26

man in China today is Ii Hung Chang, who
is Grand Secretary Of the empire Vice
roy OF the province, and one OF the
heads of the Admiralty Board. His resi-
dence is at Tein-T -Tsin, but he lately spent
some weeks at Pekin. I had the pleasure of
meeting him on several occasions. He seems to
have great respect for foreigners. He has for
some years been in favor of building railroads.
He has had hard fight in China to have his
views approved. The opposition comes chiefly
from the Censors and the Board Of Revenue.
The Censors represent that numbers OF men
would be thrown out of employment, graves
would be desecrated, and internal troubles would
ensue. The Board of Revenue claim that if
railroads are built the whole revenue service of
China would have to be changed. 1t seems like
~, In effect, that the Lekin tax, which is of
the chief sources of revenue to China, would
have to be abandoned materially modified
This is consummation that the foreigners most
ardently desire. The viceroys generally oppose
railroads, because they tend to Capitalization of
power, and thereby diminish their own inf1u-
ence. But Lii Hung Chang, through all changes
OF men and measures, has maintained his power,
and there seems every reason to believe that he
will succeed in his plan of constructing rail
roads.
II send to the department the dying memorial
of Tso Tsuns Tang which contains an able pre-
sentation of the argument in favor of construct
ing railroads in China. By way of parenthesis,
will state that dying official always leaves a
posthumous memorial to the government 1t
distinguished honorary Office is conferred upon
him by imperial decree. This memorial of Tso
Tsung Tang preceded by very few days the
visit.of Ii Hung Chang to the capital, and fur
nished him fine opportunity to press his rail-
road views. 1t was considered, certainly with
reason, that the mode of inviting the attention
OF the members of the government to the merits
of railroads would be to exhibit working model
Of an American railway and rolling stock. The
Chinese are eminently practical people, and
without scientific knowledge and an actual ocu-
lar demonstration Of the thing proposed is the
surest and easiest mode of carrying convic-
ton to their minds Acting upon this pecu--
liarity, complete working model railroad
was procured from the United States. 1t con-
sisted of one hundred feet Of main track and
sldings, with switches and turn table, passen-
ger locomotive and tender, mail and baggage
cars, passenger cars, Pullman parlor and Sleep
ing cars, different kinds of freight cars, a full
section Of seats and berths in sleeping cars, etc.
The cars were five feet long, and all other parts
OF the model were in equal proportion, and care
had been taken to make the model throughout
an exact representation In miniature OF road,
locomotive cars, ETC., in actual use in the United
States, complete in the smallest detail. The
motive power was clockwork This model was
exhibited to the Viceroy, Lii Hung Chang
ber last and he expressed himself much
pleased with it, and said he would ex-
hibt it in Pekln when he went there in Octo
ber On the 10th of October the model
Wnlcn nao peen conveyed 70 Pekln was again
exhibited before the Viceroy by his order,
and on the following day the Viceroy presented
it to Prince Chum, the Emperors father. Sew
eral native mechanics who were able TO work the
model went with it to the Princes palace, and
worked it successfully in the pleasure grounds
of the palace The Prince was highly pleased,
and thanked the Viceroy heartily Two days
later the Prince sent the model to the imperial
palace, where 1t was exhibited to the Emperor
and Empress dowager, and worked successfully.
NhAta MAJ ctsAH .,n1x sv4A Dad av.A
amused, and spent some time in minute exam
ination of the model. Ii was the first and most
complete representation they had ever seen Of
the much. talked. OF railroad and it enabled them
and the Prince to realize many Of the benefits
that this modern institution would confer on
China. It Is understood that the event materi-
ally assisted the Viceroy in his advocacy OF rail
roads for China and their Majesties lent will
ing ear 10 all he had to say in favor Of railroads,
and agreed to allow him to prepare for their in
PRODUCTION into the country"
The memorial itself is very interesting read
ing. 1t shows how strongly the spirit Of prog
ress s establishing itself among the enlightened
Chinese Viceroy Tso formulates seven propo-
sitions, to which he invites the imperial atten-
tion. He suggests the manufacture of guns and
munitions OF war; the formation Of q modern
navy; complete system Of railroads. the estab.
lishment of military and naval colleges. and
other reforms which the empire much needs.
In conclusion, Mr.. DENLY says: China has
not been standing still Factories of glass,
woolen goods, paper, ETC., equipped in Western
style, which are scattered over the country aud
owned by Chinese subjects, are proofs Of her en-.
terprise; and now il the government takes the
question earnestly in hand. we may look for the
adoption in China Of many Of our appliances
and modes of manufacture. That some Of the
aforementioned enterprises have been unsuc-
cessful proves nothing, for the Chinese know
that the fault lies within themselves. New vent
ures in the same line are sure to follow, and
when success shall crown any Of their efforts the
whole progressive movement will receive an i'm
petus which will insure it's permanent establish
ment iE the country"