The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-08-09
LIS FALL Is AT HAND
BELIEF THAT THE GREAT CHINESE
VicEROY MUST GO.

His Downfall May Be Caused In Part by
q Little Book Published Four Hundred
and Fifty Years Ago-A Revolution May
~Impend-John W.. Fosters Hon orarium.
HO Tung. a Chinese banker Of Hong
kong, who figured in the unsuccessful
negotiations i'll England to float the Chi
nese war loan, arrived recently in San
Francisco from the orient on the steam
er City Of Pekin. In discussing the eff
fects of the war, he says the official days
of Ii Hung Chang are numbered, and
inclines to the belief that China may be
engulfed in "a revolution. He. bases his
prediction Of internal strife not only on
the general discomfort Of the people, but
upon the superstition Of the masses.
IF a revolution does arise" he said,
II think a little book published about
$50 years ago will be one of the causes
in an indirect way. For centuries the
book has been prohibited publication or
circulation, and yet a great many people
know its purport. Lou PAX Wong, a
prophet and a grand secretary under the
Ming dynasty, the one that Immediately
preceded the existing Ching dynasty,
was the author of the book, and he
wrote it in answer to a question put to
him by the first ruler Of the present
dynasty.
Familiar with history and having
faith in its lessons, he thought that, as
other dynasties had arisen, flourished
and then disappeared from the scene of
political life in China, his also would
some day follow in the same course. So
he asked the professor how long his
dynasty would live. 1t was in answer
to this question that the book was writ
ten. 1t contained prophecies and hints
Of what the future would bring forth,
and among other things predicted that
the dynasty would disappear during this
century. Some prophecies in the book
have practically come to pass, a fact
that has impressed itself upon many a
superstitious mind. 1t is for this reason
that the book may have a great influ
ence at this late day upon the masses
If circumstances are propitious at the
time Of any incipient uprising. Still I
would be surprised to hear of a revolu-
tion. The best thought of the nation de-
sires to rehabilitate the country and its
interests in a peaceful manner under
the Ching dynasty"
Ii Hung Chang's enormous wealth,
Ho Tung said, has much to do with the
great viceroy's declining popularity.
Besides there is a stain on the honor of
the family, as the viceroy's brother was
compelled to resign from office ON &C.
count Of a general belief that he was
corrupt. The Chinese believe Ii Hung
Chang is the richest man in the world,
and that his wealth has much to do with
his tenacious grip ON Office. Expressed
in American money, he is supposed to be
worth $500, 600, 600. He is the owner
of great ricefields and innumerable
pawnshops, the latter being considered
good and very profitable investments.
They are licensed by the government
and are numbered by the thousands.
These are, as a matter of fact, in the
nature of great banking institutions
with an enormous percentage of profit.
Ho Tung says that John W. Foster,
who was one of China's representatives
in the recent treaty negotiations with
Japan, was paid 800, 900 for his serv-
ices by Ii Hung Chang.