The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-10
y. JuLEs PArENoTKR

"At the time the Iion-Tsin treaty was
ngned," said the ambassador, II was
brought In contact with Ii Hung Chang
almost daily for six weeks and while
had known him before, this close inter
course In negotiating so important treaty
gave me the opportunity of somewhat
personal acquaintance with him.
"He does not speak English, French or
any other language than his own, all in
tercourse with foreign officials being car
ried on through an interpreter. There
appears to be a settled policy among Chi
nese diplomats and officials to adhere 20
their own language, so much so that a
Chinese diplomat at Paris who became
proficient in making French bon mots
created something of sensation and was
afterward recalled.
"viceroy Ii impressed me. however, as
one of the very few Chinese officials who
at heart desired to adopt the modern ways
Of European countries, and If he had not
been held back by the overwhelming sem
timent of China against Eastern civiliza-
tion, he would have modernized China
long ago. As 1t is, he has introduced quite
. European atmosphere into his private
household He has French cook to serve
him Some OF the dinners he gave me
were Wndt iHcy ttEflltQ uOublo
as there would be Chinese dish and then
French one, thus alternating courses
throughout the dinner.
Statesman. but No Warrior.
'Li strikes ono as a student and states
man, rather than warrior. His tenden-
cies are all those of scholar, while his
great authority as viceroy of the metro
politan province of China and special
guardian of the emperor has made him
the head of the war power. But he Is not
genius of war ms he is of statesinanship.
He has sought 70 modernize the Chinese
army and navy, and such strength as
these arms of defense have are due TO his
Introduction of foreign officers, including
General Gordon. and his adoption OF
modern arms and ordnance. The artil-
lery he has secured is fairly good but
compared with those of improvement of
European and American troops, which inn
prove constantly, they are out of date"
M. Patenotre was asked as to the de-
lenses Of Pekin which the Japanese now
threaten to strike, and the roads over
which the invaders will have 10 pass If
they march on Pekin.
"The defenses are very primitive" said
the ambassador. "The outer wall is
NuHe duhlf, coHlpleJeiy cnClrCllnR Jnc clJy.
1t is about rhe height Of "a six-story build
ing and wide enough for travel by horses
and carriages But as a means OF defense
Il would amount 10 nothing against mod
ern artillery The walls about Tonkin
were even stronger, being built by skilled
engineers, but they quickly gave way be-
fore big guns There is hardly any such
thing as roads about PeISin and Tien- Tsin,
10 ttIut trnvct 4s +-ry-diiiicult. There are
occasional stretches Of good road, paved
with large stone blocks but these are ex-
ceptional.
"The trip from Tien-Tsin 70 Pekin--
about 90 miles-used To take two or three
days. Usually It is made by the river
route, and that also takes several days. 1t
Is the most primitive of travelling. each
passenger having boat to himself When
I went by river from Tien-Tsin to Pekin
I occupied one boat. my secretary another.
the provisions another and the servants
another. Thus the boats beat and tackled
by means Of little sails. TA.re was no
s-azzsz above Tien.Tsin, althcr,,,1 -. -
snpssal and the emperor were only W
miles above"