The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-09-08


Chang was to-day escorted through the
various government buildings and took
a great interest in all he saw.
Ii wore his famous yellow jacket
during the tour and was followed by
his personal attendants in the order
of their rank. From the capital the
party drove to the residence of the
Chinese minister. Elaborate prepare
tions had been made by Minister Yang
Yu for the reception of the highest
representative of his exalted emperor.
The mansions that form the legation
were decorated in magnificent style.
Immediately upon his arrival, and af-
ter he had received the greetings of
the minister and his household, LII
Hung Chang and Mr.. Yang Yu retired
for q private conference, which was
somewhat extended. Then there was a
general reception and fraternizing be-
tween the members of the visiting en-
bassy and those of the legation, and
the vicerOy and his suite were enter
tanned at luncheon in the ball room.
No foreigners were present.
Ii Hung Chang was later enter
tanned at dinner by eX-Secretary OF
State John w. Foster, the guests in
Guiding three members of the cabinet,
the commanding general Of the "rny
and several other nOtableS in Ot1lclal
life The dinner was given at the
Arlington hotel. Ii was escorted on
the arm of Gen. Foster to the post OF
honor To the right of the guest sat
Secretary Carlisle, and to his lett JUS
tice Harlan, of the supreme court. On
Mr. Fosters right sat the Chinese MN
lister, Yang Yu, and on his left Minis
ter Romero Of Mexico. AT the con-
clusion of the dinner Mr.. Foster made
a few remarks expressing the greatest
pleasure of the company at the VISIT
of Ii Hung Chang to the national Cap1~
tai, and regretting that his public and
urgent duties made his stay so short.
Lii Speaks.
The viceroy responded as follows:
''In acknowledging the hospitality
extended to me by my old friend, me
Hon. John w. Foster. | have to thank
him for affording me an opportunity
before my departure from the capltal
of this country to renew once more the
sincere expression of my gratitude and
thankfulnesS to the American govern
ment and citizens for the welcome and
reception offered to ne as representa-
tive of my august master, the emperor
of China and the persOnificatlOn OF the
Chinese empire.
"Since the establishment of our
treaty relations there have always
been evidences Of good fellowship be-
tween our two countries, but all these
evidences, ! dare say, have now been
eclipsed by the cordiality and warmth
displayed by the American govern
ment and citizens in welcoming and
receiving my special mission.
Though / regret that my time does
not allow me to make as long SoJOufn
in this country as l wish in order to
appreciate more fully the accomplish
ment and progress Of the United States
of America as a nation, / cannot help,
during my brief visit here, to be struck
and impressed by the liberty and free
dom enjoyed by the people, by the
welfare and prosperity in their agrl-
cultural industrial and commercial
pursuits, by the characteristics Of their
classical. historical. philosophical and
poetical literature, by the manner or
application of the scientific discoveries
and inventions for promoting the nap
piness of mankind and by the display
of their artistic taste in the architect
ure of the public buildings, sculpture
and painting Of historical figures ana
facts which my old friend, Hon. John
w. Foster, has been kind enough to
show me.
"These impressions / will carry
home, not only as augmenta dons to
my store of knowledge Of the fruits OF
Western modern civilization, but as
the means of enlightenipg the millions
l represent, facilitating the introduc-
ton of these very means and ends OF
civilization into China and amalSa nat
ing the oldest civilization OF
the far East with the most modem che