Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-31

Taiping rebellion, which had then lasted about IA years and threatened the oyer- throw of the empire. Later another prov ince was added to his rule, and he WAS created viceroy of the united provinces in 1865. He has since become the most pow erful viceroy in the empire and is practi- cally prime minister, viceroy of the great province of Chilli, with it's 10000, GOO people, superintendent of the trade of north China, director general of the coast {defense of the north, administrator of the imperial navy, commander in chief of the army of north China and these high of fees, together with dozens of others of less note, constitute him sort of Chinese Poo Bah of wonderful power and influ- ence. He is senior member of the impe- rial council, composed of four grand secre- taries-a body that is next to the emperor in the government of China.
 Unlike the emperor, who is a Mantchoo and descendant of Shun chi, whose peo- pie conquered the Chinese in 1644, Iii Hung Chang is full blooded Chinese. He was the first great Chinese to urge a more friendly policy toward foreigners and to him China owes her progress in civilization from a European standpoint He speaks English and is close student of the worlds affairs. To him China owes her modern navy and the modern weapons now in the hands of so many of her sol diers. Without him military reforms would never have taken place, and in the present difficulty with Japan China would have been utterly unprepared for war had not the viceroy built shipyards, arsenals and ironclads and employed European off, ficers to drill Chinese soldiers and sailors At the close of the Taiping rebellion the viceroy, who had been greatly impressed with the efficiency of tho troops officered by Englishmen and Frenchmen, recruit ed many of Chinese Gordon's disbanded veterans, armed them with modern weap- ons, engaged European instructors and speedily organized an army of about 50,- 900 men, who arc garrisoned near Tien- tsin, the homo of Iii Hung Chang, and tho seaport of Poking, which is 90 miles farther up tho Poi-Ho river. These troops, which are the flower of the Chinese sol diery and compose what is called the Black Flag army, guard the approach to Picking in time of peace, but at present. many of them are in Korea exchanging compliments with tho mikado's soldiers.
 The viceroy has also strengthened the customs department which is the back bone of China's credit, and he has intro- duced the telegraph and built tho only railroad in the empire. All these inno- vations have been made in tho face of the most pronounced opposition on the part of the influential grand council of the en- pire
 Several years ago the viceroy's enemies endeavored to convince tho emperor and dowagcr empress that Iii Hung Chang meditated using his great power to seize the government, and that the yiceroy should be compelled to live in Poking, where closer watch could be kept over him. The emperor ordered the viceroy to move to Peking, but when Lii Hung Chang announced that he proposed bringing 15,. 900 troops with him the emperor hastily told him to renRin in Tientsin with his soldiers. About the same time body of 200, 900 rebels marched upon Peking to overthrow tho government. The emperor sent his best Picking troops to meet them, and the rebels gave them an unmerciful trouncing. Then Lii Hung Chang proved his loyalty by taking the field with his well drilled troops, who speedily routed the rebels and restored order.
 Lii Hung Chang is very polite to for eigners and seems to enjoy learning what he can from them. He invariably asks his