Evening star., 1896-08-08
Ii HUNG CHANGES VISIT
No Definite Arrangements Yet Made for His
Entutainment.
VIII BE Accorded n Reception BY the
President When He Shnu
Reach This City.

There is q singular lack Of knowledge II
official circles as to the intentions of the
government with regard to the reception and
entertainment of Lii Hung Chang. the Chi
nsse ambassador who bears an autograph
letter from the Emperor of China to the
President of the United States. He is now
being feted in royal style by the British
government, and will make an official visit
to the United States the end of this month
on his way back to the celestial kingdom
According to latest advices he is booked
for passage on the steamship St. Louis
leaving Southampton on the I'D instant
He is accompanied by large suite Of high
officials. numbering about forty persons.
1t Is said at the State Department thai
no arrangements have yet been made TO.
Lii Hung Chang's visit, but that he will be
undoubtedly received with all the honors
commensurate with his important mission
consistent with the simple forms of re-
publican government. 1t is probable that
an official of the State Department. an Off
Ger of the army and an officer of the navy
will be detailed to accompany the Chinese
ambassador on his tour through the Unit
ed States, and to that he is accorded all
possible courteSieS and facilities in his
movements. A similar service was per-
formed by Commander Davis Of the navy
in the case of the Princess Eufalie and by
Commander Lamberton Of the navy in the
whom were the guests of the nation during
the Columbian exposition.
1t Is expected that the various states
through which the distinguished statesman
will pass on his way from New York to
San Francisco will assist in showing him
the usual honors bestowed upon the repre-.
sentative Of a friendly nation. 1t is also
probable that a military and naval demon
stration will be given by the government
in his honor. Ex-Secretary Foster who is
a 70
statesman, win assist the officers of the
administration in making his visit to the
United States pleasant and profitable.
While In This City.
While in this city the party will be quar-
tered at one Of the hotels, probably the
Arlington. and Will be entertained by the
President with a dinner and reception at
the White House. Inasmuch as the main
purrcse of LIS visit to this country is to
present the emperor's personal letter to the
President. 1t will be necessary to arrange
for an audience for that purpose as soon
as possible after his arrival. How this Is
to be accomplished without compelling the
President to return to Washington. so as
20 properly receive the Chinese ambassador
with full dignity in his official residence,
is somewhat of a puzzle to the officials OF
the State Department charged with the
preparation of the official program of ar
rangementS.
There are no facilities for an audience al
the Presidents cottage at Gray Gables and
the President did not expect to return to the
capital until October. at the earliest. unless
necessitated by a public exigency. In order
to avoid sighting the personal representa-
tive of the Emperor of China. it will be
necessary. however. to arrange for an audi
ence for him within q reasonable time after
his arrival. as. according to diplomatic
usage and etiquette. he is not officially with
in the boundaries of the United States until
ms presence has been personally acknowl-
edged by the head of the government Dip
lomats say he can hardly be expected to
remain in the seclusion of his hotel in New
YORK city for several weeks, awaiting the
FTestdents return to Washington before he
can continue on his long journey to China.
In this view of the case it is believed
that the President. and the Secretary of
State will find 1t convenient to make a
short visit to Washington during the early
part of September for the express purpose
OF welcoming tine Chinese ambassador and
speeding him on his journey home ii
Hung Chang Is great power in China
anu ne ranks with the great statesmen
or the time. His coming visit Is fraught
with considerable significance to the fu
ture commercial relations between China
and the United States. and is an event of
iinusuaI importance to both nations and
the world at large. -