The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-12

which he put there with his own hand.
1t is a bunch of Chinese characters look
ing 70 an American more like lot of ink
splotches than anything else. This is not
Ii Hung Chang's name. II is the mark
he puts 10 his oncial documents, Just as
in the old times a uobleman stamped the
sealingwax on his letters with his signet
ring. Every public man in China has
such a mark, and uses it officially in place
of his name. Even the emperor does so.
Mr.. Martin tells this story:
AN oPHIDIAN MASCOT.
Iii Hung Chang is the most modern of
Chinameu-thaU is, he faVOrs American
and European improvements. But at the
same time he retains many ancient Chi
nese superstitions Once | saw this
great man-and he is very great man
get down on his knees il the presence of
more than a hundred thousand people
and worship a liJUle green snake.
1t was at one of the army reviews at
Tien-Tsin, the viceroyal seat. The army
Of 1000 men was drawn up on a plain
outside the city. and there was a vast
crowd of spectators. The viceroy was in
his sedan chair, surrounded by his STAFF
He was ready to put the army through
maneuyres. Suddenly an officer APP
peared, bringing a small green water
snake squirming in his hand.
1t seems that this snake was of pc
culiar species worshipped in China as the
omen of good luck. AS soon as Ii Hung
Chang saw it he got out of his sedan
chair and bent himself TO the ground be-
fore it, performing the kotow, or act of
worship. Then he returned to his chair
and the snake was taken away. IL was
turned loose again as a sacred creature, l
suppose.
/ Whether Ii Hung Chang sincerely be-
lieved in kotowing before this snake, or
merely did it 10 impress the multitude,
winch he knew believed in it, cannot
say.
III Hung Chang is very powerful in
China. The assertions that his power
exceeds that of the emperor are true. He
stands behind the throne and directs the
hand of its occupant"
Mr. Martin has been received twice
in company with the American minister
by the Chinese emperor.
. IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY.
Both receptions" he said, took place
in the usual hall of audience in the for
hidden city. The forbidden city is one
Of the four quarters of Pekin set aside
for the use OF tue emperor, and it's clean
illness and beauty form great contrast to
the filth and squalor of the remainder of
Pekin.
I'VE were shown throughIseveral doors,
our names being announced in advance.
The emperor, sitting on a white marble
throne, received US in large room draped
in yellow satin. His clothing was of rich
yellow satin.
The emperor is now % years old. The
first time | saw him he was II, the second
time 10. He is, as you know, of the
Mauchu race, which conquered China
proper and won the dragon throne His
features are much more refined than
: thOcn Of a 81 I1,,f h.,
is very slender and extremely delicate.
'On both occasions the conversation
was commonplace. The emperor, through
his kinsman, Prince Ching, asked US how
we liked China, etc.
"Only on extremely rare occasions does
the emperor go out of the forbidden city
The public is not allowed to look upon
him or ever refer to him. He is not named
until after he and his immediate family
are dead.
"You will notice in the large picture
of Ii Hung Chung that he gave me a
long string of beads encircling his neck,
and falling almost to his waist in front.
There is large stone or jewel in it. Ali
Chinese officials wear this necklace with
the Jewell the value of the necklace and
jewel varying according to the wearer's
rank. This Jewel is to prevent the Off
Gals from looking on the face of the en-
peror when they come into his presence
The official admitted TO an audience takes
this jewel in his hand. holds it before his
eyes and stares steadily at it until he
leaves the presence.
SEEING THE EMPEROR COMES HIGH.
Going back to Ii Hung Chang,
might mention another thing about him
Though prime minister, he does not go to
Pekln often. 1t is too costly. When a
great official leaves his home city to visit
another city, he must pay largoss to the
officials of the latter. The higher his
rank the more he must pay. 1t costs Lii
Hung Chang 100000 taels-a tael being
almost equal to a dollar of American
money-to get into Pekin. Consequently
he doesn't visit the capital often
Mr. Martin, who has had exceptional
opportunities for observation, does not
think China very strong, despite It's i'm
mense population. The corruption in the
government, he says, is fearful, and sur
passes anything of the kind known else
where, The bulk of the money appro-
priated for public purposes goes into the
pockets of theIofticials.
All the wealth is in the hands of a very
few, and the hundreds of millions are the
victims of poverty that is burnt in the
bone"
DAME RUMoR MIXED LIS UP.
A member of a firm in this city having
extensive business relations with China,
lived many years in the Celestial Empire
and met there many dignitaries, includ-
ing Viceroy Ii Hung Chang of Chinli, the
real ruler Of the empire, and Viceroy Lii
Hang Chang Of Canton. Speaking of the
improbable rumor that Viceroy Ii Hung
Chang had been deprived of his yellow
jacket, he said, the report doubtless grew
out Of a confusion of names-that instead
of Ii Hung Chang having been degraded
1t oily was Ii Han Chang, who had
lost the emperor's favor.
"Viceroy Ii Han Chang's district of
Canton, he added has been the source
OF much trouble of late The plague has
carried of thousands, and the viceroy.
according to Chinese ideas and policy, is
held responsible,
The matter has been much upon the
mind OF the empress dowager, who
watches over all the provinces. She has
great influence over the emperor Her
lightest wish is his law, and the head of
the viceroy of Canton would fall speedily
into the basket were she to ask it.
The riots i'll Canton also have brought
a serious responsibility upon Ii Han
Chang The attack upon the two Ameri-
can female missionaries caused a feeling
OF uneasiness, ana the British Consul
Byron Brennan, and Mr.. Seymour, the
United States Consul, called upon the
viceroy, and in three hours interview
. yy III