New-York tribune., 1896-05-05
Ii HUNG CHANGES MISSION.
TREATY WITH RUSSIA MAY BE. AT THE
BOTTOM OF IT.
ANCE AND ENGLAND GET RAILROAD CON-
TRAcrs-AMERICANs LEFT BEHIND.

1t now seems certain that the selection OF
vicercy Ii Hung Chang as special Ambassador
to Russia to attend the coronation Of the car
was with the view to arranging treaty more
than represent this empire at that ceremony
This Is borne out by the fact that Lo Feng Lon
and Vii went with him as members OF his STAN
The former gentleman had greatly aoused inc
Viceroy's confidence as Secretary OK the Au-
miralty during the China-Japan war. and the
Viceroy had expressed to several his intention
not TO use him again. But the matter was not
left TO him. az Lo Feng Lob was appointed on
the staff directly from the Tsung Ii Yamen. AS
both he and VII had been working with the
Viceroy on the commercial treaty with Japan
and knew the matter from Its inciplency' IL
seems curious that they can be spared when
the treaty Is not half completed. unless they are
expected to use the experience they have gained
in arranging a more important one Count Cas-
sini, the Russian Minister. had the arrange
ment Of all the details Of the Embassy.
Viceroy Ii in spite Of his years. was glad to
10 an he hopes that, II he succeeds In pleasing
his Imperial master. he may again be appointed
on his return viceroy Of Chhl LII was wor-
ried on his appointment to learn that he was
expected to make some suitable present TO the
Car at that time. In the first place, although
Immensely wealthy. he parts with his money
grudgingly, and in the second place he ala not
know what suitable present would De- MT
Dctring (German). Of Tfen-Tsin. advised him 70
secure the services of Bishop Favier QFrench
Roman Catholic), assuring him that the latter
always had a store Of curios laid aside for
presents, or sale. as the case might be. Ii JOY
fully accepted the services of the good Bishop,
and gave him 1000 taels, which the latter in
vested in some closonne vases Peking carpets
and few old pieces Of pottery of Chen Lungs
time.
These Peking carpets really very pretty
There are only three firms here that make them
and they only employ about twenty hands each'
mostly boys They are made largely from
camers hair. dyed in various colors. ana make
q heavy soft, durable carpet. p. Klerulf1. the
principal foreign storekeeper here, often puys
them I'D for export. Only yesterday oozsh
well-worn, partly moth-eaten ana decioediy
faded carpets were seen being swept IN MS
courtyard. When asked what he was going TO
do with that dirty lot, he replied, "Send theiii
to America. where they will be repaired ana
highly esteemed by the swells OF your couh-
try"
The railroad to Tien-Tsin has been given 10
France and England. When 1t was announced
that Mr.. Ki lder, an Englishman, was to nave
the entire contract, the French Minister TOOK
offence, and at once sought Viceroy Ii ana mad
Q two hours interview with him. He then went
to the Tsung Ii Yamen and insisted that the
last treaty made by China with France included
q clause to the effect that IL In the future emma
built railroads France was to have the job Ihe
Yamen said the wording was that they might
get" the work or might be used for the work.
The Minister, however. insisted on his point and
ultimately the Yamen decided to give the iron
work and bridge building to France, and the road
Kirla mol
at all pleased at this. Still less are they pleased
with the fact that Russian troops are coming
down through Manchuria, and that the wires
are cut in Corea preventing any knowledge
here Of what Is going on in that stormy little
kingdom. An Englishman who is member
OF the Burmah Commission said yesterday that
he believed Peking would be in Russian hands
within six months. That China fears this Is
evident, and Ii Hung Changs mission TO Russia
IL doubtless with the Idea. not to say hope that
some kind Of treaty may be made which Will
prevent Russian occupation OF Northern China.
In the mean time adventurers are much in
evidence some Of them noted ones. Herr Won
Brandt ex-German Minister to China, is now
here representing the Krupp gun works and
other German firms. Admiral Dunlop, Of the
British Navy. is trying 10 secure the position as
Inspector General of the coast defences He is
old, rheumatic and decayed in appearance.
There seems quite fitness in his obtaining the
Job he is after Frenchmen. Germans. English
and Americans are all after the railroad plum,
especially the building Of the line already au-
thorized between Hankow and the capital
Among the latter is Colonel A. w. Bash or Fort
Townsend, Wash. who says he has an American
syndicate at his back representing many millions
VI dollars. He IL relying on obtaining con-
tract from Chang Yin Huan. ex-Minister TO the
United States, and now a member Of the Tsung
Ii Yamen but old Chang Is slippery fellow
And has his own interest In Canton combina-
ton TO get the contract for his fellow -provincas.
The courtyard OF the Hotel dc Pek'ng Is sulphur
Gus with the classical expressions that one ad-
yenturer breathes as he sees his rivals cross X
10 70 10 their rooms AS there Is only one hotel
in Peking they all meet at the dining table. and
a missionary is needed for them.
few months ago q reform club was started
nv the Rev Gilbert Reid, Of New York, and soon
embraced a number OF Hanlins and progressive
young men, They opened clubhouse subscribed
10 all the leading European and American re-
Views and newspapers. engaged translators and
Started vigorously upon the work OF eniighten-
ing the officials. but alas! an ambitious young
censor named Yang accused them In memo
rial to the Throne as being OF a eeditous nature,
and the place was Instantly closed by the police.
The effort. however was not In vain for the
Emperor, learning later on that Chang Chih
Tung and Iiu Kun had each subscribed 5000
taels TO It's support. concluded ne had made q
mistake and appointed Sun CHA Nal his own
tutor to reform a Reform Club and keep II
under his own direction, assisted by a committee
from the Tsung Ia Yamen. This IN the nature
OF the case cannot be as useful as II II was free
from oficial patronage and inspection. but 1t 10
TO be hoped that It may accomplish good work
In opening the eyes OF the officials.
The nth son OF the fifth Prince. Chin Wu Yeh.
has Just died OF severe carbuncle. He was
thought BY some 10 have stood good chance for
the throne In case Of his Cousins death. The
Emperor has no children. and in event OF his
Death hi, cousins or his cousins children will all