Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-10-23
Count Mitkiewicz and the Chinese Con-
cession.

There are some interesting fac coming
to lght cyncciaing the famous MltEl9Wicz
Chinese concession, and the truth is becom.
ing known for the first timr. The facts as
related by 8 gentleman intimately connected
with the negotiations, ara as follows: The
original conoeseioos were obtained by Nit
kiewicz, and contained the provisions that
thero should be established system of gov
erpmental banks ia China with capital of
twenty million dollars Mitkiewicz agreed
TO raise ten million dollars 10 this country
and the Chinese government was to furnish
the other balf There was au interesting
side contract a!sos made to the effect that
five hundred thousand Gollars were to be
loaned the imperial government by the
American syndicate although for what pur.
pose it was not stated. But 1t is suspected
that this sum was intended TO "grease" the
wheels of toe Chinese Foreign Office.
as soon as these concessions were granted
the Eoglisb frrl of Russell & Co., which Is
now the largest banking concern doing busl-
ness in China, became alarmed, anG repre-
sented to the viceroy that Mitkie%icz was
an irresponsible person, and totally unable
to carry out the provisions ln the mean.
time Mitkiewicz had returned to this coun-
try, aud entered into negotiations with the
Philadelphia syndicate headed by Wharton
Barker. Mitkiewicz was advanced S72 900.
which represents the total sum which be
has obtained Sc far from the concession.
Shortly after his arrival in this country he
was followed by special ambassador from
the yceroy, Ma Ka Chang, one of tho most
astute diplomats in the Chinese service. Ma
Ka Chang;was for several months the guest
His total expenses were paid by the syndi
cate, and he lived in a royal manner during
his stay. After visiting Washington he
made his headquarters in New York at the
Metropolitan Hotel. The syndicate was
confident that no would make favorable
report to the vicaroy, and according to one
who ought to know the inside Of the whole
business, he was advanced very handsome
sum for his OWN personal emolument.
Just about that time the Chinese minister,
who has lately returned to the Flowery
Kingdom, also appeared upon the Wharton
Mitkiewicz horizon. He gave the syndicate
to understand that if $15, 900 were placed in
bis possession that there would be no doubt
of tho perpetuity of the concessions. Noat-
tention wes paid to him, however, the Amer.
leans preferring to deal directly with the
representative of the viceroy. While this
was going on al agent authorized TO repre-
sent Russell & Co., arrived from London.
He had long and confidential interview
with Ma Ka chang What transpired at
hat interview is not known. but it is not
difficult to guess what it was. Ma Ka
Chang then left for home. He made his re.
port to the vceroy, and recommended the
revocation Of the CONCESSIONS, which action
was taken by the viceroy
Strange o say, Ma Ka Chang Is Roman
Catholic He was educated at Paris, and
was attached to the embassy there for
number Of years. The difficulty between
Milkiewicz and Barker arose over the man
agement of the funds for the establishment
of the Chinese national bank. Barker having
raised the money naturally thought that he
ought 10 controit; Mtkiewic2 having OBJ.
taned the concession and asserting that he
alone could manage the Chinese Foreign
Office, did not think that anybody else
could properly carry out the enterprise.
Neither side gave in. At present Barker
has a revoked concession on his hands and
Mitkiewicz the shreds of what was once
seventy two thousand cold hard American
dollars.