Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-09
he Tells a Star Reporter Something
of His Experiences.
WELL TREATED BY THE JAPANESE
How Ii Hung Chang is Regarded
in China.
TRANSFER OF FORMOSA


peace between Japan and China, was noted
in The Star yesterday, is already planning
to leave in a few days for his summer
home on Lake Ontario, but he found time
this morning to talk most entertainingly
with Star reporter about ome of his eX-
periences and impressions of the trip.
Throughout his stay Mr.. Foster was
treated with the utmost consideration, not
only by the Chinese in whose interests he
was engaged, but by the japanese as well,
who lcok upon him as. more than any one
else, responsible for the successful termina-
tion of the negotiations for peace. Nothing
could speak more highly of the manner in
which he handled his delicate mission than
the fact that both nations feel that they
are indebted to him for his good Offices.
In the course of the conversation this
morning Mr.. Foster said:
Il cannot say too much of the kindness
that was shown me. Foe example, both in
Hiroshima and in Shimonoseki where the
two conferences were held, the government
set aside a handsome private house for my
occupancy, with all the comforts supplied,
ard everything was doEe to make my stay
a pleas ant one. During all the time I was
in Japan$w with the peace Observation-Disclosures
we We're guarded by emissaries of the gov
ernment, and whenever any of US went out
TO Wafk or ride we We're attended by special
police. but never. in Japan, CHINA or For
nfosa, did l meet with the slightest demon
stration of unfriendliness. OF course | met
with the curiosity on the part of the ma
tiVes that Is evinced toward all foreigners,
but never did it become unpleasant in any
way
Won Favor From Japan.
How did 1t come about" asked The Star
reporter that Japan entertained such a
friendly feeling toward you? The sugges-
tion has been made that they feel that If
1t had not been for your advice the terms
of the treaty would not have been ratified
by China"
We'll. l suppose in certain sense that
is true. I was the adviser of China, but |
feit that her best interests would be sery-
ed by termination of all the troubles
There was TO use in prolonging the war
and SO l urged the acceptance of the terms
of the treaty, not as they were originally
laid down, but as they were finally mod-
fed. When they We're first presented to
the Chinese Observation-Disclosures l felt they
We're far too severe and we submitted a
memorandum in the form of a comprehen-
sive document, in which were set forth the
objections to the terms, with the result
that they were SO far modified to be
far more satisfactory than the Chinese
might have naturally expected espec:a ally
so with the retrocess.on OF the I4iao Turg
peninsula. The viceroy had an idea, though
l do not know that he had any assurances
Of it, that the Russian government would
intervene to prevent Japan from securing
any territory on the mainland of Asa and
that made the negotiations that much
easier.
But the Japanese were not sure then
that the terms OF the treaty would be rig
idly lived up to. They remembered some
of the actions of China in the past and
they feared that history might repeat it.
self. You may remember that in 1855
England and France, for reasons that they
considered sufficient, waged war on China,
the war terminating with the treaty OF
Tien Tsin. Regarding the matter set
la1 ha fyt-n a w
their forces from China only to find that
the latter nation had no intention of abd-
ing by the terms Of the treaty, which was
overthrown when it reached Pekn. There
was nothing for them to do but fight 1t all
over again and to take Peiitn, where the
final treaty was signed. Japan fesred that
there might be a repetition of that pro-
cedure, but l am glad 10 say that such
will not be the case. Feeling that any
continuation Of the war would only work
further hardship on the defeated country
and that the terms for peace were as rear
sonable as could possibly be expected, l
was strongly in favor of the adoption of
the treaty and urged it upon the Chinese
plenipoten tiaries with the result that 1t
considerable opposition to the treaty and
many of the viceroys and generals united
In a protest against its adoption, but
wiser Judgment prevailed.
The Transfer of Formosa.
ri was present when the formal transfer
of Formosa was made. Formosa is q
valuable acquisition to Japan, and, SO far
as have seen it, most beautiful country.
The transfer was made by Lord Ii, the son
of the viceroy. We were given to under
stand that the mission would be attended
with considerable danger but I did not
seriously consider it as SUCH AS 1t turned
out, there was no occasion whatever for
apprehenSion. FormoSa was in state OF
insurrection at the time, so that there was
no actual delivery of the government prop
erty on the island. The transfer was made
On board the vessel which Lord Lii had
chartered to take the party to Formosa,
and was in the form of an instrument in
writing. precisely as one would make
transfer of a lot here in Washington by a
deed. The cession of Formosa was the
last act in the fultillment of the terms Of
the treaty, excepting the first payment of
the indemnity, which is not due until next
October. The consequence was that when
l returned to Japan the government of that
country was satisfied that the treaty would
be adhered to in good faith, and for
showing a very kindly spirit toward me.
Several banquets and other honors We're
rendered me, but l declined them
The Attack on Lii Hung Chang.
Were you present when the attack was
rcade upon LII Hung Change
Not actually on the scene at the time of
the occurrence. 1 had gone off with my
secretary, Mr. Henderson, to take tea with
a Japanese gentleman, who has hand
some villa on the seashore. 1 returned
perhaps five minutes after the shooting
cured and was present when the first
examination of the wound was made. For
tunately, it was not as serious was at
first feared. This was the only unpleasant
incident that attended all the labors of the
commission"
rs it true that Ii Hung Chang has fallen
into disfavor with the government as q
result of the war?"
mo, 1 should hardly say that he has
You know the government of China is a
curious one. 1t is not actually ruled by
the emperor, who is young and must rely
largely on the advice of his councillors
The government Of China is really a gov
ernnent of boards, and one man is
actually in authority. For instance, inslead
of having a single man secretary COR
foreign affairs all matters of that sort
are attended to by a committee, of which
a prince of the royal blood is the chair
man, and which has six members besides
There is no secretary of the treasury, but
all the finances are looked after by a board
committee. and so on through all the
branches of the government. Then there
is the privy council In China, as in every
other country. there are all sorts of politi-
cal sects and factions, and with many of