The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-17

4 statesman, and he worked his way I'D
from enc position to another until he got
to be commander He took Chi
nese Gordon into his confidence and made
him one of his generals. Gordon drilled
the Chinese according to foreign tactics,
and together they vanquished the rebels
The result was that Ii became the greatest
man in China. He was given one big
office after another until he became only
second to the Emperor This is the posi-
ton which he holds to-day. He is super
lntendent OF northern trade, and con-
trolls the commercial matters of all North
China, numbering more than 10000 900 of
people. He is the Governor-General of
the province of Chill, and is practically
the Secretary of State. He has for years
been the chief medium of communication
between the Chinese and foreign nations,
and he Is the most progressive Chinaman
IN the empire. 1t was he who introduced
the telegraph into China, and the wires
that run into his palace at Tientsin con-
meet him with every court OF Europe and
with every part Of the United States. He
Is said TO be very rich man, and his in
come ranges between $4,000 and $10O, 900
per year. No one knows how much he
has made outside of his offices. l heard it
said in Tientsin that he was worth
$500 600, and on the other hand his
friends claim that he is not worth more
than 100000 or $4,000, 600. Whatever he
has must come from his own idea of his
share of the receipts, for the Chinese Gov
eminent pays small salaries and expects
the officials to steal the balance.
Ii has risen in rank as well as in power
He is now an earl, and when | saw him
last summer at banquet in his palace
his head was decorated with a cap out of
the back of which stuck his three-eyed
peacock feather. This last is even greater
distinction than the yellow jacket. 1t is
one of the greatest things an Emperor can
give, and is usually conferred only upon
princes and mobiles of the highest degree.
The feather was about two feet long and
was fastened to big cap with turned-up
brim by great button, which rested on
the center OF the crown OF the hat, and
which was also a mark of high rank. The
feather stuck out behind the hat and quiv-
cred as Lii Hung Chang put his yellow fists
together and bowed low in saluting his
guests. There were other peacock feathers
upon some of the Chinese high officials
among the guests, but Ii Hung Chang was
the only one who had a three-eyed peacock
feather. The double-eyed peacock feather
is a much lower honor, and the single-eyed
peacock feather is worn by many ordinary
officials, and it is possible to buy the right
to use it. Even lower than this is what
is known as the blue plume or the crow
feather. This is conferred as reward for
services upon officials below the sixth de-
gree of rank, and is worn by the Imperial
Guards.
As to the yellow jacket, this is only to
be used when the man who has it is in
personal attendance upon the Emperor in
the field or upon journeys. 1t is sort of a
riding cape, and it has been awarded to
two Europeans, one of whom was General
Gordon and the other Frenchman named
Giouel, who established the arsenal at
Foo Chow.
Ii Hung Chang has been getting all
sorts of presents from the Emperor right
along. [ have before me list of the gifts
which he received on his SEVENTEEN birth
day. This was about five years ago, and
all the officials gave him pres ents. He had
carloads of silk, ton or SO of gilt scrolls
and iewelry and other stuff valued at more
than a million of dollars. Both the En-
peror and Empress dowager sent him val
liable presents. The Emperor gave him
sixteen pieces of costly satin, one dragon
robe. an image of Buddha and lot OF
autograph proverbs signlfylng good
wishes and good luck. The Empress also
wrote him a lot of autographs and gave
him statue of Buddha. She donated INN
twelve pieces of satin and robe which
was made of the throat skins OF sables,
which are, in China, considered the most
valuable of all furs, and can only be worn
by the special permission OF the throne:
At another time the Emperor gave LII
Hung Chang $4,000, and he has already
received more honors than any other Chl-
naman who has not noble blood IN his
veins.
Few people have any idea OF the nobility
of China. The country is divided up among
he officials and 1t is generally supposed