The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-01
LIS FALL. is NEAR At HAND
Growing Belief That the Great
Chinese Viceroy Must Go.
His Downfall May be Caused in Part
by Little Book Published Four
Hundred and Fifty Years Ago.
A Revolution May lmpend.
Fosters Honarum.

He Tung, Chinese banker of Hong
kong, who figured III the unsuccessful
negotiations in England to float the Chi
nese war loan. arrived recently in San
francisco from the orient on tho steam-
er City Of Pekin. In discussing the Of
feots Of the war, he says the official DAYS
Of Lii Hung Chang are numbered, and
tnclines to the belief that China may be
enguifed i'll revolution. He bases his
prediction OF internal strife not only on
the general discomfort of the people but
upon the superstition of tho masses.
If revolution does arise, he said,
81 think q little book published about
$50 years ago will be ono of the causes
in an indiSeot way. For centuries the
book has been prohibited publication or
circulation, and yet great many people
know its purport. Lou PAX Wong, Il
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 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, fiourishcd
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
Sypaaty would lite. It was in answer
10 this question that tho book was writ
ten. 1t contained prophecies and hints
OF what the future would bring forth
and among other things predicted TINT
the dynasty would disappear during this
century. Some prophecies i'll the book
have practically come to pass, fact
that has impressed itself upon many n
superstitions mind. 1t is for this reason
that the book may have "a great infiu-
ence ut this late day upon the masses
II circumstances arc propitious at the
time OF my inoipient uprising Still |
would be surprised to hear of Yeyolu-
tion. The best Thought Of the nation de-
sires TO rehabilitato the country and its
Interests in q peaceful manner under
the Ching dynasty"
LII Hung Changes enormous wealth,
Ho Tung said, has much to do with tho
great vlceroy's declining popularity.
BESIDES there is stain on the honor of
the family, as tho viceroys brother was
compelled to resign from Office on nc
count of general belief that he was
corrupt. The Chinese believe Lii Hung
Chang is the richest man in the world,
and that his wealth has much to do with
Sis tenacious grip on Office. Expressed
IN American money, he is supposed TO be-
worth 100000, 600. he is the owner
Of great ricefelds and innumerahlo
pawnshops, tho latter being considered
good and very profitable investments
They are licensed by tho 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 500, 900 for his sery-
ices by LII Hung Chung.