The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-05
LII HUNG Changes CHANCES.
of "a Man High Up In Chinese
Official Circles.

Philadelphia Inquirer
The most interesting reader of the news
from China yesterday was a gentleman at
the Lafayette Hotel. who is a high Official
of the Chinese government and has been
in this city for ten days on important bust
surmised. He is an American by birth, but
twenty-five years ago went to China, and
for twenty years has held a high place in
the imperial household. Upon a promise
not to disclose his identity he talked rather
freely to an Inquirer reporter about the
Speaking of the report that the present
Emperor would be dethroned he said: Il
have no doubt that 1t is true The EN-
peror's probable successor is Prince Kings
second son, who is a much ADLER man than
the present Emperor. He will practically
be under the control Of his father, who is a
that in China a queer condition of affairs
exists. Three million Manchus dominate
The Chinese called the Manchus in them
selves to aid them to settle their internal
affairs, and the Manchus have remained
Prince Kung fully expected that his son
would be selected as Emperor. He was
dissruntled at the time. Thus when Lii
Hung Chang was disgraced 1t was neces-
sary to find someone to take his place, and
the ablest man was Prince Kung. AS a
condition to his accepting the premiership
he has demanded that his son be made
Emperor, and it has been acceded to.
Now, as to the distrust Of LII Hung
Changes army and the charge of his defec-
ton to the Japanese, that is a mistake.
What is meant is that he has too strongly
urged that peace be made with Japan,
recognizing, as he did in the case of threat
ened war with Russia. that China was in
no position to fight. There was a rebellion
in China that lasted onger than the one
in in, this s,s country did, III, and ended about the
lasted fifteen years. That war produced
three great generals that might be COM
pared to Grant. Sherman and Sheridan.
They were Treng Kwo Fan, La Hung
Chang and Tso Tsung Tang.
The present Manchu government owes its
preservation from that revolution to these
three men, of whom Lii Hung Chang is the
only survivor. The object of this rebellion
was the overthrow of the Manchu govern
ment, but these generals. although pure
Chinese, were loyal to the Manchu govern
ment and fought their own race. Since
that great rebellion there have been severa,
other less formidable outbreaks which were
quence Ii has ALWAYS enjoyed the conf
dence Of the Manchu government and has
been loaded with hohors of all descriptions.
1t is hardly likely that at his age, seventy
five years, and after his faithful service,
that he would now turn disloyal, unless
under great provocation, in which case the
sympathies of all the Chinese would surely
be with him. There is one thing about it,
If there is any truth in the report of LIS
disloyalty, 1t can only refer TO his rela-
tons with the present Manchu government.
and not disloyai,y to his own race, the
Chinese people.
Should the japanese drive China to the
wall, anu L DeueVe tney Will, there Will be
a change in government. They are thirty
five years ahead of us. There will certainly
be a revolution and the feeling will be so
great. that the Manchu dynasty will be
overthrown."
WHO then will be Emperor"
In that case Ii Hung Chang will re-
turn to power, and as he is the only pure
Chinaman of great ability at present. 1 be-
lieve that the nation will recognize what
is due to him, and he will be proclaimed
as Emperor and found a new dynasty. This
may be his real reason for going into re-
tirement at this time, and / have no doubt
that some such movement is on foot. He
has done more for China than any livfng
man, and loves his country dearly. 1t Is
stated that there Is no such thing as patrl-
otiSm among the Chinese. That is true.
They look upon the Manchus as foreigners
much as they do upon Americans. They
feel that they owe no loyalty to them
whatever and for that reason the great
mass of S5o.ooo.oO do not care whether
Japan wins or not, and probably feel tina;
If she does 1t will have the effect Of re.
storing their own people to the throne
Only the fact that Ii Hung Chang. one OF
their own people, has been the nominai
ruler, has kept them in subsection, and now
that the Manchus have degraded him
there Is sure 10 be a revolution"
The gentleman added that John Russell
Young, ex-minister to China, is held in
high esteem by Ii Hung Chang.