The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-11-24
FRINGE kuNo.


Commander In Chief.
Prince Kung, who has been appointed
commander in chief of the Chinese
armies, is one OF the oldest, but not the
ablest, Mauchu politicians in the inn
perial court at Pekin. lie is younger
brother OF the emperor, Hen Fung
and is about sevcnty-two years of age.
1t is said that the years have told upon
him, Eni he is but shadow Of his for
mer self, both physically and intellect
ually. On account of the high position
due to his relationship to the crown, he
has been brought more into prominence
than his abilities ut any time war
ranted. His official status made him
the second most important person in
the imperial clan, his only superior be-
ing the emperor himself. Through his
relationship he takes the name OF
Kung Tsin-Wang, in which Kung
means prince, and Tsin-Wang implies
the highest branch Of kinship As
translated into English, prince kungp
Is n term which Is liable to produce M
erroneous impression. Kung Is not the
name of either person or place but
Of . title. II is merely general de-
scription or cpithct which might apply
to many individuals.
The person bearing this title receives
an annual salary from the imperial
treasury Of fifteen thousand dollars,
rotinue OF three hundred and sixty serv-
ants, one for every day Of the Chinese
year, and clothing, palace and food for
the support of himself, his family and
ali his subordinatcs. In the blue book
Of China his allowance from year To
year has never fallen below seventy
ave thousand dollars, and In the times
Of his greatest prosperity 1t has ex-
cecded one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. In addition to this handsome
revenue he Is entitled TO salary and
fees IN the various positions, which he
rnay hold from time to time.
Kung's career has been q very check
cred one. In his best years he has held
as many as fifteen Offices, whose ne,
return was annually over three hun
dred thousand dollars. and ON the 9th
err hand, In seasons Of retirement or o
disgrace, all OF dis positions have beer
taken away from him. Despite his up
and downs nc Is very rich man an,
yields tremendous power In the EN-
pire.
Upon the death OF the old empero
In 1900, Kung was appointed join
reRent With tho two dowager en-
presses, ma sistc.s-.n-iaw, and Their
he'd away TOR twelve years. His ad
ministrasiop was marked by many RI
forscs, % appreciation and adoT
ton OF European methods and by tn
recognition and promotion OF the leat
egs 81 the lioerAl or progressive party
amorg whom were Ii Hung Chang an
o.hcrs 81 lesser note. During thi
period the great Taeping rebellion oe
Cured, and waa finally suppresse
through tho assistance % the grea
powers ana troou Of foleign mere,
pAyies At whose read was "Chincse
Gordon; the MohammedGn insured
t,ou ssniah at Que tune threatened tn
western half Of the empire was utterl
crushed; the uprising in the NORTH
west WAS defeated and several SINAI
wars with Tartar tribes In Mongoli
and Manchurla were brought TO sue
sessful termination. On one occasion
he admitted to Lord Elgin that he un
derstood but little OF modern warfnr
and relied entirely upon those familia
with It's principles and practices.
he aIse opened NO diplomatic inter
course with foreign nations and wa
instrumental In establishing many o
tho present treaty ports He was
great friend OF Chinese" Gordon, nj
though the latter regarded him a
thoroughly INSCRIPTIONS and trcacf