The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-17
A FRENCH Diplomatic
The Minister to China Arrives
En- Route to Picking.
ambassador Lemaire Discusses the Chinese
Outbreak Against Foreigners-0ri-
entail Diplomacy.

A distinguished diplomatic arrived in the
city yesterday and registered at the Occi-
dental as g. Lemaire, Peking. For the past
four years this gentleman has been the
French Minister to China, and is retur ming
to the Orient after nine months leave Of
absence. spent in his native land. He sails
by the Oceanic on Saturday.
NJ. Lemaire has had a long career in d.
plomacy, has been French Consul at Hong
Kong, Consul-General of India and Of
China, and is now at the head of the French
Legation in the latter country. He was at
Hong Kong during the American Consulsnip
there OF Colonel John S. Mosby, with whom
he renewed his former acquaintance yester-
day.
In the course of an interview yesterday.
NJ. LemaiTe was asked by CALL reporter
for confirmation of the statement that the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs had re-
Gently informed the Chinese ambassador in
Paris, in belligereut official commu n iea-
ton, that if the Government Of China did
not protect the French missionaries in
China, France would take prompt steps to
insure the safety of her citizens residing in
the domains of the Emperor.
DIPLOMATIC.
~ have read an account of the matter to
which you refer in the American papers"
replied the French ambassador, " but had
lett Paris before the date of this communi-
cation and SO cannot vouch for its anthem
ticity."
rs there bitter feeling inlsFrance
toward China because of the recent attacks
by the Chinese against the French resi-
dents?"
"of course our people will not permit the
lives and property of our countrymen to be
sacrificed, but / don't think there is a gen.
eral feeling of hostility to China. As | I'M
derstand it the recent Chinese riots have
been confined to the country near the Yang
tSe-kiaDg four lives have been lost and
much property destroyed. The Emperor is
sued a manifest forbiddiug the people to
attack foreigners, evidence that the Govern
ment desired to protect the foreigners"
'How do you account for the outbreak in
China?"
society called Ko Lao HOuei the first word
| meaning brother, the second old and the
third society, so that it might be translated
the Ancient Order of Brothers. The OBJ
jects of this society are secret. The better
classes and the orderly classes are not con-
nected with it, and little can be learned of
its operations. Like the highbinders No.
The ko Lao Houei is not composed of men
who are such avOwed assassns as the high
binders, and is more OF the anarcbial type.
WARNED THE MISSION ARIES.
This society warned the missionaries In
left, thus saving their lives but losing their
property. l don't know why the natives
dislike the missionaries, unless it is largely
matter of prejudice, which has been
famed into an outbreak by the misrepre-
sensations OF the 10 Lao. The trouble oc-
Cured during my absence in France, and
my knowledge OF IL is confined to the news
paper accounts.
''Will tie Chinese Government pay the
claims for the properly destroyed? On,
IF inns inst I
they are Like all Asiatic and oriental ma
tions the machinery of the Chinese Gov
eminent moves slowly. 1t takes the En-
perur long time to say yes but when he
does make this affirmative statement he
means it and Will stick to it.
The foreign ambassadors are accorded
an audience by the Emperor at the Chinese
New \ ear, which, you know, is movable,
depending on the moon. III the case of All
emergency the Emperor may send for one
Of us 1T any time, and on my return | shall
present my credentials, although have only
been absent on leave OF absence, and have
not ceased to be ambassador by title.
MINISTER DENBY.
''The American Minister, Mr. DENLY, is
a personal friend of miEe and | esteem him
very highly He and i are tine two Repub-
lican Ministers at Pekin, which Is perhaps
enc reason for the commencement of our
! friendship. Mr.. DENLY stands very well in
| the Chinese diplomatic circles, and in my
| opinion, Is good representative"
What about the France-RusSian ALI
| ance?" NJ. Lcmaire was asked.
"Ah, have heard Of that in your papers
| since L arrived in America" answered the
| ambassador, automatically, but | have
! no official or personal knowledge OF such an
| alliance. There is undoubtedly a very
| friendly feeling among French people
| toward Russia, and among Russians toward
| France, and our feet was cordially received
| in Russian waters recently. The outcome
of the alliance? OF that | have no idea
| And cur feeling toward Germany? You
| will pardon me If l decline TO discuss it,
Nj. Lemaire is a typical Partisan in APP
| pearance and dress, SPEAKS English remark
ably well and is a clever talker. lie is de-
lighted with San Francisco, and will remain
in or about the city until the departure of
the Oceanic