The evening times., 1896-08-13
WORRIED 1In 1's VsIT
Officials Hardly Know How to
Receive China,s vlceroy.
DETAILS ARE PERPLExING
AfhHr Must Be DipIomaticaIly Per-
fect In Every Respect, and Yet Must
Not Be Overdonc-He May Be He
csdved on Board Man-of-War-Sol-
diers VIII Participate.

i
The approaching visit OF Ii Hung Chang,
viceroy OF China, to This country is the
subject OF comment among government
officials, and some OF them are forgetting
even the hot weather and politics IN dis
cussiDg 1t.
Ii must be rendered o fitting recep-
tioD. The definition OF the word ..fittine'
in this case is what perplexes. The af-
fair must be'dipIomatfcally correct in every
detail, and yet 1t must not be overdone.
II is one OF these occasions that require
kid-glove handling.
II is evident that the necessity of having
President Cleveland come to Washington 70
receive the distinguished guest from the
Orient will be avoided, II possible. The
plans that are under discussion now at the
Navy and War Departments contemplate
the visit of Ii Hung Chang TO Washington.
but they also contemplate the official re-
ception of the viceroy by President Cleve-
land at some other place than here.
MEET HIM ON sHIPBoARD.
One of the plans which is understood
TO have had its inception at tile State De-
partnent is to have President Cleveland
receive the royal ambassador on board OF
one OF our new batueships at some port
on the New England coast.
The idea is to meet Ii Hung Chang, when
he arrives on the st. Louis from England,
with the dispatch boat Dolphin, which is
large enough to accommodate him and his
suite, for short run, and to convey hfrn
to Some point, New London or Boston,
where Admiral Bunce could have the North
Atlantic squadron assembled
The President would be aboard the adj
miral's flagship, and Ii Hung Chang could
he received with all naval honors possible
and presented to Mr.. Cleveland In royal
style.
This plan is being discussed by the Of
ficiais Of the State and Navy Departments,
but no decision has yet been reached with
regard to 1t. 1t is urged, In support Of this
naval reception, that Ii Hung Chang would
have an opportunity of inspecting some of
our latest war vessels, which would be
an advantage, in view ofthe fact that China
proposes to build up a new navy. It is
also argued that the reception could be also
made much more spectacular and imposing
on board a warship than it could be in the
old fashioned white House.
OBJECT TO THE PLAN.
One objection that has been raised to the
put himself In the light of going to meet
the Ambassador instead OF the latter call
ing upon him The friends of the scheme
however, do not think that this Is an insur-
mountabie objection. from the fact that
the vessels would be strictly within the
limits OF the United States, and the Chi
nese ambassador by being conveyed in
another boat, would be placed IN the proper
attitude OF calling upon the President
Such an arrangement would suit President
Cieveland's convenience much better than a
reception In Washington.
II this arrangement should be carried
out taDd a high Official OF the State De-
partment said today that it seemed to
be the most feasible that had presented
itself it would not mean that the visit
Of Ii Hung Chang to Washington would
be cancelled On the contrary, he would
be attended by representatives of the
army and navy from the time he landed
at New York until he embarks at var-
couver, and the program, which includes
visit to Washington, would be strictly
carried out.
There is no doubt that he would desire
to call upon the representatives Of his own
government in Washington. and great
prepar ations are said to be in progress at
the Chinese legation for his entertainment
SOLDIERS WILL PARTICIPATE.
The Chinese minister will go TO New
York to receive the earl, by which title
LiHung ehangis known among his country
mer Of rank Ex:secretary John ". Foster,
who Is now n the Adirondacks, will be in
New York to make preliminary arrange.
meDts and will also be on hand to take part
In the reception.
Beside the visit to Warrington and Phila-
delphia, which Ii will make, strong efforts
are being made to have his trip extended to
Boston, where a reception will be given
him. The first arrangements werc such as
to make the Boston visit impossible, but It
is felt among the officials here That after
arrival some changes Will be made SO as to
permit the Boston trip.
1t Is probable that a detail Of troops from.
Governors Island VIII take part. in the.
reception at New York and that troop
OF cavalry from Fort Myer win assist in
the exercises here
At first 1t was intended to rent an entire
house in Washington and equip It for the
accommodation OF the earl and his numer-
Gus retinue, which embraces twelve secre-
taries and many servants Owing. how
ever, to the shortpess of the stay here,
It has been decided to quarter the guests
at q hotel.