The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-03

New York, Sept Eli Hung Chang
was "lnterviewed' to-day. Throughout,
the ordeal, which lasted about half an
hour, the earl maintained his CUSTOMARY
placid demeanor, but his keen ewes noted
the effect of every remark upon his audi-
ence and he at times evinced an earnest
ness which showed that he regarded the
interview as not the least important event
OIL ms trip across the western continent.
AZ o'oo a. III. the newspaper men to the
number of more than dozen gathered i'm
the banquet hall. When the reporters
We're ushered into the hall they found the
Vlceroy standing to receive them and he
SHOOK hands with two or three of those
In advance. Dl. Max, or Mark, his Chi
nese physician, quickly put Il stop to the
hahuSnaking, however, explaining that
they did not wish to have the vcerov
fatigued "
The viceroy then seated himself Mt n
small table and DR. Max sat at his right
Inc reporters were alsoiuvited to be seated
ana they grouped themselves in small
circle, two deep, about the table. II had
Teen arranged that one of the reporters
who was specially introduced as man of
some literary note, should act rs spokes
man. He had prepared Il list of written
questions and he started out with this:
w hat has most interested YOU since
you have been in this countrys''
II have been enlightened in every
thing, said the viceroy. sit is difficult
to say what has most pleased me when
everything is so pleasing. l think, how
ever, that your high buildings have
pleased me most. | am astonished at
them do not think, however, that they
would DO for China. / fear they would
he blown down by typhoons. You do not
try
l am told, however, that the tall build
ings are so well constructed that they
could not fall They would not be of any
use, however, If 1T were not for the eleva-
tors In them. The elevators are very fine.n
Have you purchased or contracted for
any material for China which is necessary
for shipbuilding or railroads or other inn
provements for China since YOU have been
in this country;n he was asked.
The viceroy evaded the question
He was asked if he would make any
comparison between England and this
country.
II care to make no such comparison"
said the .viceroy. II know, of course.
that Americans originally came from
England ID that all they know they have
learned from England. | don't wish to
say anything bad about England and
can say anything bad about America. -
The vicerov was asked If he favored n
liberal education for the common people
of China.
lin orr country" he said, ''the bows
attend school with very few exceptions.
1t does not cost much to send boys to
school in China and only the very poorest
people cannot afford to send their bows TO
school. Our school system may be i'm.
proved, however, and hope in time we
lC
you have in America
do you look for the repeal or modifi-
cation CT the Chinese exclusion law
known as the Geary act, passed by our
Congress in 1922
Il know" said the viceroy "that Won
are to have new election in this country
and that necessarily there will be changes
in your Government. | confidently ex-
pect that the friends of China will SUM-
port measures looking to the repeal of the
present law. l know that the press is
the most influential institution in Amer
lea. hope that the press will use its in
nuence with the Government to have the
Chinese exclusion law repealed"
WAS Your Excellency influenced in de-
termining to go home through Canada by
the treatment of the Chinese in the Pa
ciiic States, especially California;"
Il chose to go through Canada for two
reasons. First, because when | was a
high commissioner in China | was con-
stantly receiving memorials and COM
plants from emigrants in San Francisco
that they We're not allowed right which,
under the American laws, they were en-
titled to, My assistance was continually
invoked TO secure them rights. Instead
of being able to do so, your Congress cur
tailed what rights they had and made