The herald., 1896-09-05

TASK TO German Or1cerS, Dut II IS De-
lieved that Ii Hung Chang. while in
Germany, was not successful in driving
the bargains which he contemplated.
OF course this Is decidedly English
view Of the case, and may be modified
by future events, for a great deal de-
pends still upon the action Of Ii Hung
| Chang when he returns to China and the
nature of the report which he will fur
nish for the decision of the emperor.
| Finally, it is understood that the Chi
nese government has practically de-
| cfded to take steps at an early date to
make a considerable extension in the
railroads of the empire, and foreign
railway board, organized on the basis
Of the foreign customs commission, may
| be entrusted with this task. The en-
| peror of China is known to be favorably
disposed toward the extension of the
railroad service of China, and with free
| trade in the interior, the abolishment Of
! all transit dues and an improved sys-
tenn of railroads, the travels of Lii Hung
Chang may be the means of awaken
| ing China into new life and prosperity,
and open to the commerce of the world
| markets which have hitherto been USE
| lessly closed.
| Ii Hung Chang was entertained at
| dinner tonight by ex-Secretary of State
| John W. Foster, the guests including
| four members of the cabinet, the COM
| nanding general Of the army and sew
| eral other notables in official life. The
| dinner was given at the Arlington, three
| large parlors being used for the occa-
| sion. The decorations were of the mos:
| elaborate character, the long tables COW
| cred by great clusters of most beautiful
| roses, Chinese asters and golden rod,
| ferns, thus combining the character
| istic colors of the countries. The
| United States Marine band was sta
| toned In one of the parlors, and through
| the ingenuity of Conductor Fancuilli,
| played Chinese as we'll as American airs
| while the dinner proceeded. The full
! list Of the guests was as follows: Earl
Ii Hung Chang, His Excellency Ii
Ching Tong, Secretary Lo Feng Luh. Lii
Ching Lu (the viceroy's second SOM,
DR.. Irwin. medical attendant; Dr. Mack,
| medical attendant; His Excellency
| Yang Yu, Chinese minister; Senior Ro-
nero, Mexican minister in Washington;
| Secretary Carlisle. Secretary Lamont,
Secretary Francis, Justice Harlan, Gov
ernor Lowndes of Maryland, General
Miles, General Ruger, Assistant Secre-
| tary Rockhill, Mr.. E. B. Drew, commits
sioner of Chinese customs; General ].
| H. Wilson, DIR. ]. w. Johnston.
When dinner was announced Ii Hung
| Chang was escorted on the arm of Cen
eral Foster to the post of honor
The meal was simple but elegant,
lacking, however, any dishes Of distinct
character. 1t was prepared by Ameri-
| can cooks The distinguished guest had
| taken his dinner before the event of the
] evening, and partook but very spar
| ingly Of what was before him, merely
touching the champagne to his lips.
At the conclusion of the dinner, Mr.
| Foster made a few remarks expressing
| the great pleasure of the company at
the visit to the United States, and re-
GREETING that his public and urgent du-
ties made his stay so short. The viceroy
responded as follows:
| 'In acknowledging the hospitality ex-
tended to me by my old friend, the Hon.
John w. Foster, I have to thank him
for affording me an opportunity before
my departure from the capital of this
country, to renew once more the sin
| cere expression of my gratitude and
thankfulness Of the American govern
ment and citizens for the welcome and
| reception offered to me as the represent
ative of my august master, the Emperor
of China, and the personfication of the
| Chinese empire. Since the establish
ment of our treaty relations there have
been evidences of good fellowship be-
| tween our countries, but all these evil
| dences. I dare say, have now been
| eclipsed by the cordiality and warmth
| displayed by the American govern
ment and citizens in my welcome.
Though I regret that my time does
| not allow me to take a longer sojourn in
this country, as I wish, in order to ap-
| preciate more fully the accomplishment
| and progress Of the United States of
| America as a nation. I cannot help, dur
| ing my brief visit here, to be struck and
| impressed by the liberty and freedom
| enjoyed by the people, by the welfare
and prosperity in their agricultural, in
dustrial and commercial pursuits, by the
characteristics of their classical, his
torical, philosophical and poetical liter
ature, by the manner of application of
LIlc SCleIltlllC OlSCONtIlcS duu lINeHtlOlS
| for promoting the happiness of mankind,
and by the display of thier artistic
| taste in the architecture of public build
| ings, and painting of historical figures
| and facts, which my old friend, Hon.
John w. Foster, has been kind enough
! to show me. These impressions L will
| carry home, not only as augmentations
| to my store Of knowledge of the fruits Of
! western civilization, but as the means
of enlightening the millions I represent,
facilitating the introduction of these
very means and ends of civilization
into China with the most modern of the
| extreme west.
Il have only words to add, that the
Hon. John w. Foster in his manifold
abilities, has to me rendered most val
liable assistance in China's most crit
! ical moment. America, whether as
| government or as an individual, is to
China a friend in need, SO he is to her
| a. friend indeed.
$50, gentlemen, propose toast to
friend of China-John w. Foster"
| The dinner lasted probably an hour,
and after it was over the guests remain
ed another hour in social conversation,
Lii Hung Chang afterwards going to his
| room and retiring for the night.