The Indianapolis journal., 1895-07-05
SERVED AS A SHIELD
GENERAL FOSTERS LAST WORK
FOR. vICERoY LII HUNG CHANG.
Protected the CeIestiaI's Son While
the Latter Gave Up Formosa to the
Japs-Schemers Outwitted.

haps the most ludicrous performance of
the kind ever known 1t was made by Lord
Ii, son of Ii Hung Chang. and John w.
Foster, the American. who has been the
legal adviser OF the Chinese government in
effecting peace with Japan
Lord Ii was one of the peace ENJOYS to
Shimonoseki, and, like his father, he wen
the hatred of the Chinese officials at Pc
king for his concessions to the Japanese
These officials sent money and arms to
Formosa to encourage the republic in its
stand against the Japanese taking posses
sion- They also notified the Formosa Off
Gals of the appointment OF Lord Ii to de-
liver the island.
Lord LIS appointment was his punish
ment for the concessions. He was sent to
what was believed would be his death. Old
Ii Hung Chang was prepared for this In
order 10 have his son protected he en-
ployed John w. Foster to accompany his
son as adviser. Mr.. Foster demanded a
large fee from Ii Hung Chang. and got it
5000 Mexican dollars. He knew he had
dangerous mission, and Lord Ii arranged
for the fastest steamship at Shanghai Then
from Shanghai he had Ii secure a body
guard of one hundred picked soldiers. Mr.
Foster employed American physician,
arranged for a japanese war ship to meet
them en- route. They sailed from here on
the 30th and returned on the 4th.
When General Foster stepped ashore on
the evening of the 4th he was met bv a
party of Americans.
ITO America go on the first steamer"
My mission here is ended and I am glad
OF II. 1t has not been pleasant one by
Mr.. Foster looked twenty years older
than when your correspondent last saw him
In Washington. At dinner on the evening
or his return he said to the correspondent:
we sailed down in thrty-six hours and
came at anchor perhaps eight miles off
Iamsui. That we thought was near enough
the guns in the fort Of the newly-declared
republic. Mr.. Morse. the collector Of cus-
toms at Tamsui, came off to the ship In a
rowboat. He told US that the Chinese on the
Island claimed to have one hundred thou
sand troops and were making a great
noise about how they would repulse the
THE Japanese war ships which toined us
here signaled to us to follow, and we
sailed around to Kelung, on the northeast
coast OF the island. In a small harbor.
among the ships of the Japanese fleet
Tnere were twelve transports and four
naval vessels. We were told transports had
Guard. These are the troops which were
sent to Port Arthur while the peace nego-
no sersc were m tha In They had seen
was there any opposition to their land
ing?' asked.
mo. none that we heard of. When we
came TO anchor, Admiral Kabayama, the
newly-appointed Japanese Governor of the
island, to whom Lord Ii was to make the
delivery. came aboard with an escort. That
was Sunday. Lord Ii had known Kabaya-
ma In Toxic, when he was minister to Ja-
pan. Lord Ii, who was just a trifie nervous.
told kabayama that he had been Ill since
his return from Shimonoseki, and when ap-
pointed to make the delivery OF the island
ne was on sick leave. He was too i'll TO go
ashore, and, If Kabayama would consent. he
would exchange the papers immediately
transferring the island
Kabayama smiled knowingly and re-
sPonded that he had heard that the island
climate was unhealthy just at this time He
would not subject Lord Ii to its evil infiu-
ence, and, therefore. would consent to an
lmmealate n excnange OF papers in accord
THE papers were drawn up-four copies.
two in japanese and two in Chinese
signed, and each commissioner took two
At this point Mr.. Foster stopped. His face
wore a smile and he looked straight and
gested: o' ''e-
Then you celebrated"
Mr. Foster fingered glass a moment.
then responded with an amused. vet half,
cynical expression:
'Yes, two bottles of champagne were
opened.two bottles, making the third in all
China and Japan"
Turning to. Consul-general Jernigan, he
SAID Deneve told you We had one
pint bottle at Shimonoseki''
"Have bottle. with me. now,' said Mr.
Jernlsan, TO celebrate your return
No. thanks responded Mr.. Foster. .Tt
would be too much of a shock to my sense
or economy acquired out here"
well. after glass of wine with Kaba-
yama and his suite, he went on. they
took their leave. Lord Lii Immediately or
dered our captain to make all haste to
Shanghai. We encountered severe storm,
which caused us to run in near the coast
otherwise we would have landed last night
lea on the first ship that goes
You did not go ashore at Formosa %
your correspondent asked.
Certainly not. We did our duty in ac-
cordance with the treaty, and got away
as quickly as possible
An American who was on the vessel with
Mr.. Foster and Lord Ii says: "On the
% thoroughiy @ frishtened % man an a have awe @Ssr eVer
known He knew If he ever fell into the
hands of the Formosan rebels his head
would not be worth fig.
AT Kelung. Lord Ii was so frightened
that had it not been for Mr.. Foster he
would have signed his name to paper
ceding all China to Japan. But on the
return, his antics were the funniest We
were caught in heavy storm. Ii became
seasick and frightened. He ordered and
insisted upon the captain running near to
ed was he content. Then he walked up and
down the deck a few times. after which
said
Gentlemen. / ordered the captain to
run in near the shore, for your comfort,
knowing that you are not a good sailor
Mr.. Foster laughed and thanked him.
When We came ashore Lord LII rushed off
quickly and l understand he is so afraid
of being assassinated he is in hiding some
where. j was anxious TO go ashore at For
mosa. but Lord Ii would not hear of any
proposition to remain there