Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-09-05
LIN WASHINGTON.


After visiting the Capitol in Washing
ton yesterday Ii Hung Chang and his
party drove to the residence of the Chi
nese minister. Elaborate preparations
had been made by minister Yang 1u
for the reception of the highest rep
resentative Of his Emperor. The man
sions that form the Legation were deco
rated in magnificent style. After III
had received the greetings of the minis
ter he and Mr.. Yang Iu retired for an
extended private conference. linen
there was general reception and fra
ternizing between the members OF the
visiting embassy and those Of the lie
CATION. Earl Ii was entertaine at din
ner last night by ex-Secretary OF State
John w. Foster, the guests including
three members of the cabinet, the CON-
manding-general of the army, Governor
Lowndes, of Maryland. and other per
sons in official life. The dinner was
given at the Arlington Hotel, three
large parlors being used for the occa-
sion. The decorations were elaborate,
the long table being adorned with clus-
tiers ofAmerican beauty roses, yellow as
tiers, China asters, golden rod and ferns.
The United States Marine Band was
stationed in one Of the parlors and play
ed Chinese, as well as American, airs
while the dinner proceeded.
To toast Ii Hung Chang responded
through his interpreter in q written
speech He said:
In acknowledging the hospitality ex-
tended to me by my old friend, Hon. }
w. Foster, have to thank him for al
fording me an opportunity before my
departure from the capital OF this coun-
try to renew once more the sincere ex-
preston of my gratitude and thankful,
ness to the American government ard
citizens for the welcome and reception
offered to me as representative OF my
august master, the Emperor OF China,
and the personi6cation of the Chinese
empire. Since the establishment OF our
treaty relations there have always been
evidences of good friendship between
our two countries, but all these evil
deuces, I dare say, have now been
eclipsed by the cordially and warmth
displayed by the American gov
eminent and citizens in welcoming
and receiving my special mission.
Though I regret that my time does not
allow me to make as long sojourn III
this country as | wish, in order TO APP
preciate more fully the accomplish
ments and progress of the United
States of America, as nation, can
not help, during Toy brief visit here, to
be struck and impressed, by the liberty
and freedom enjoyed by the people, by
the welfare and prosperity in their IN
dustrial and commercial pursuits, By
the characteristics of their classical,
historical, philosophical and poetical
literature, by the manner of application
of the scientific discoveries and inven'
tons for promoting the happiness OF
mankind and by the display OF their
artistic taste in the architecture OF the
public buildings, sculpture and paint
ings of historical figures and facts,
which nv old friend, ]. W. Foster, has
been kind enough to show me. These
impressions I will carry home. not only
as augmentalions to my store OF know
edge of the points of western modern
civilization, but as the means of Ell.
tightening the millions l represent, and
inculcating the introduction of these
very means and ends of civilization in
China, and amalgamating the oldes;
civilization of the far East with the
most modern of the extreme West. |
have only one word TO add, that the
Hon. J. w. Foster has to me, in his
manifold abilities, rendered most val
liable assistance in Chinas most critical
moment. America, whether as gov
ernment or as individuals, is to China
friend in need, so she is to her friend
in deed,