The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-11-15
PRINCE KUNG.
Checkered Career OF the New Chinese
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, Manchu politicians in the i'm
perial court at Peliin. He is younger
| brother of the emperor llicn Fung,
and is about seventy-two years Of age.
1t is said that the years have told upon
him, and 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 at 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 Kung"
is term which is liable to produce an
erroneous impression. Kung is not the
name of either person or place, but
of title. 1t is merely a general de-
scription or epithet which might apply
to many individuals.
The person bearing this title receives
On annual salary from the imperial
treasury of fifteen thousand dollars,
retinue 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
all his subordinates. In the blue book
of China his allowance from year to
year has never fallen below seventy
five thousand dollars, and in the times
of his greatest prosperity it has ex-
ceeded 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
may hold from time to time.
Kung's career has been very check
cred one. In his best years he has held
as many as fifteen offices, whose net
return was annually over three hun
dred thousand dollars, and on the 9TH
er hand, in seasons of retirement or of
disgrace, all of his positions have been
taken away from him. Despite his ups
and downs he is very rich man and |
yields tremendous power in the en-
pire.
Upon the death of the old emperor
in 1860. Kung was appointed joint
regent with the two dowager en-
presses, his sistcrs-in-law, and there !
held sway for twelve years His adj
was marked by many re-
forms, by appreciation and adop-
ton of European methods and by the
recognition and promotion of the lead
ers of the liberal or progressive party,
among whom were Ii Hung Chang and
others of lesser note. During this
period the great Tapping rebellion oc-
,urred, and was finally suppressed
through the assistance of the great
powers and troop of foreign merce-
laries at whose head was Chinese"
1ordon the Mohammedan insurrec-
ion which at one time threatened the
western half Of the empire was utterly
rushed; the uprising in the north
vest was defeated and several small
vars with Tartar tribes in Mongolia
md Manchuria were brought to a. sue
,essful termination. On one occasion
lie admitted to Lord Elgin that he I'M
lerstood but little of modern warfare
ind relied entirely upon those familiar
With its principles and practices.
He also opened up diplomatic inter-
course with foreign nations and was
in establishing many Of
he present treaty ports. He was a
,reat friend of Chinese" Gordon, al
hough the latter regarded him as
thoroughly INSCRIPTIONS and treach-
erous.