The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-29

was a fleet OF several steam yachts. excur-
sion boats and tugs loaded with passen-
The St. Louis arrived off quarantine at
1880 and was Immediately boarded by the
government welcoming committee from the
Dolphin. The big slowly moved
up the bay. surrounded by all kinds of
gaily decorated craft, and with the Dol
phin quite near her. to the music of a
tremendous chorus OF steam whistles and
a continual fusillade of giant frecrackers,
etc. As the st. Louis neared the American
fleet a salute in honor OF the Chinese Wis
itor was fired from the flagship New York.
The New York was the only war ship to
fire a salute. but the other ships dipped
their colors as the st. Louis passed. They
presented a magnificent appearance and
were watched with the greatest interest
by the Chinese ambassador and his suite
from the position which they occupied on
the port side of the upper deck.
THE VISITOR WELCOMED.
When the ST. Louis reached quarantine.
Ii Hung Chang was dining, and he re-
manned in his cabin The steamer was
surrounded by the fleet of boats. making
1t impossible 10 proceed very fast. and as
she steamed up the bay towards the fleet,
there was a continual toot of steam whis-
ties and some boats touched off a Chinese
anthem In the shape of several punches of
hrecrackers- When the dispatch boat was
reached a salute peeled forth. and. a little
later, as the Meet was reached, the New
York's shiuting guns doomed out the Eng
iish salute OF nineteen guns for "A lord high
admiral. there being no American salute
that equals this number. The party OF
Americans was ushered into the aft drawing
room. and waited for some fifteen minutes
10 see the ambassador, in the meantime
meeting members of his staff. Il Hung
Chang went into his cabin, but soon APP
peared with his son. He was attired in the
historical yellow Jacket. purple silk trous-
ers. black and white felt shoes and a black
and red hat with the three-eyed peacock
plume depending from the back. Holding
the jacket in the front was a large diamond.
surrounded with pearls. He wore glasses
and leaned a trihe on the attendants as he
stood up to receive his guests.
General Ruger was first introduced. Ii
shook hands cordially with the general. who
said:
"Embassador. I am here on behalf of the
United States government and President
Cleveland to bid you welcome to this coun-
try"
The translator told the ambassador. who
however. had showed interest enough in
the statement TO say that he understood IL.
In Chinese he said:
for this kindness. 1 am glad to know
you"
Then the other members Of the party
were Introduced and received a cordial
fandshake. The welcoming party had been
added to by the presence of Collector of the
Cook and Vice President Wright After ne
lad been introduced to the entire party. he
said to General Ruger: Where will the
II It<iQtnI DItStOe eVlOtnIIV WlS0lnR 10
know where he would be met. General
Kruger replied: Il will communicate all the
ar~rangements to you when 1 see you this
The ambassador had heard that General
James >. Wilson had been a friend and
fellow-ighter with General Grant: that he
had a record for bravery. and he could
hardly restrain his Impotence, so anxious
was he to talk with him. He finally sat
down and asked through his interpreter for
General Wilson. and made him sit down
beside him while he piled him with ques-
lions. telling him that he knew of his rec
ord. On the way to the American-line pier
Castle William fired a salute and in the
meantime the ambassador talked with va
rious members of the reception party. He
Is very quiet In his demeanOr. speaks in
a low voice and. according to a description
of him by the passengers. is a cordial and
endearing man. He wears his glasses down
far on his nose. as If to HIDE the scar of
the japanese assassin. which shows just
below his left eye. The ambassador was
not without humor. as was evidenced by
the expression upon his face when he saw
the horde of reporters. He said: I'VE don't
have reporters in China. but they seem to
have some here
Ii ASKS A QUESTION.
The distinguished traveller chatted for a
while with General McCook. who had met
him in Moscow at the coronation of the
Gar. His conversation turned to the mat
tiers that he seemed TO be more interested
in than any other. and while he smoked a
cigarette. he asked one of those pertinent
questions for which he has become famous:
Where did you all become generals?"
This rather phssed McCook who had not
risen. TO anything above colonel, but who Is
generally called general. He also asked
several questions about the military forces.
The St Louis moved up the harbor in
a sort of triumphal procession. greeted
on all sides with the footing OF steam whis-
ties and other salutes. and eventually
reached her dock at 1880. But the party
was not able TO land until sometime later.
owing TO the necessary delay In varying
the ship alongside of her wharf. The vi
entity of the dock was about as lively as
the finish line on a yacht-race day and
with the Americas cup at stake. All kinds
CT craft were dashing here and there in
~everybodys way. but escaping accident hy
q series of marvels. The yellow standard
OF China was loudly cheered by the crowds
about the wharf as the big steamship neared
the landing place OF the American line.
When the dock was reached the Chinese
ambassador enjoyed what to him was evil
GENTLY the most pleasant incident OF the
reception The gang plank had hardly been
put In position when Colonel Fred Grant
stepped up. and the ambassadors face
beamed with smiles as he grasped the
colonel's hand and shook il warmly. He
conversed with him a few minutes before
entering his carriage for conveyance to the
Waldorf Hotel. The Chinese party was re-
ceived at the pier by the guard of honor
of the marine infantry and an immense
crowd of pepole. which was with difficulty
kept back from the approaches by a large
force of police. The Chinese standard was
hauled down from the American line steam
err at 1:5o. as the Chinese ambassador land
ed on the wharf and entered the carriage
in attendance.
PROCESSION TO THE HOTEL.
The first carriage contained the embassa-
dor and General Ruger ard in the next
were Tao-Tai-Li and Major Won Ham. In
q third carriage was Lord Ii and his wife,
Loh-Feng-Luh. and another staff officer.
After them came carriages containing the
Chinese minister and the Chinese consul
and their suites. accompanied by staff Of
fcers. The procession left the pier headed
by a detachment of the Sixth Cavalry and
having another detachment of the same
regiment in its rear. The whole was pre-
coded by a detachment of mounted police
and Ii moved away amid loud cheering.
The route was TO West street and Bowling
Green. up Broadway 10 Fourth street, then
through Washington Square and up Fifth
avenue to the Waldorf. The route Of the
densely packed with spectators. Bunting
was displayed on all sides and among il
the Chinese STANDARD was continuously
seen.
Hardly had Ii Hung Chang been settled
In his spacious quarters in the Waldorf
when an attache of the Russian legation
called TO arrange a conference between the
Viceroy and the Russian minister. He was
successful and though the time set was
not made known. 1t is believed the con-
ference viii be held tomorrow. Owing to
past and other more recent events in the
East the pr0mptness of the Russians
l2rISRd TnnRh EnaOlInrfnn ahArrr IL. I~f-r