Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-29
BANG! BANG! HERE'S CHANG
Said the Guns of the Crack
Cruiser New York.
IMPOSING NAVAL DISPLAY
His Celestial highness Is Welcomed With EV-
cry Mark of Respect.
WORE HIS YELLOW JACKET AND FEATHER
Refused His Sedan Chair at the Pier, Say
ing He Preferred to Walk Upon
American Shores-Receives
Great Ovation.

yiceroy of China, ambassador to Russia
and world renowned diplomat, arrived in
New York today and became the guest
of the nation.
The day was a perfect one. Bright
sunlight overhead, an atmosphere clear
as crystal with tinge of autumn cool
ness in it, and a light breeze that ruffled
the surface of the bay, combined to
make the first view that Lii Hung Chang
had of the harbor of the metropolis a
pleasing one. Added to it's natural beau
ties was the imposing spectacle furnish
ed by the presence of the finest fleet of
Warships Uncle Sam has ever gathered
together They We're the best of the new
navy, and every vessel was polished and
painted and made ready in Bristol fash
Ion Tor the reception of the honored
guest. Maj Gen. Thomas Ruger, COM
mander OF the department of the east,
as the personal representative of Presi-
dent Cleveland, with his two staff Of
hcers, Maj George w. Davis and Cap
tain Mills; William K Rockhill, first as
sistant secretary Of state, representing
his department; the Chinese minister,
Vans Yu, and secretary; the Chinese
consul, Sze, and representative of the
Southern Associated Press boarded the
united states dispatch boat Dolphin
early in the morning and steamed down
the bay to meet the ambassador.
1t was 1910 p. m. when the ST. Louis
came abreast OF quarantine. Shortly be-
fore this the Warships of the north At
lantic squadron had formed In an in
dented double line, through the center
OF which the st. Louis was to pass. This
arrangement was to allow a clear vision
OF each man-of-war to the Visiting
Chlnaman. The st. Louis was escorted
through the lower bay by quite fiotilla.
composed of yachts, tugs and excursion
poats. whistles were blown cannon
nred and the people aboard the different
craft shouted wo1d DIS of welcome to Ii
Hung Chang and hts party When the
steamship was sighted by the warships
the -lsen We're at once called to quarters
on tte quarter deck, where they held
then position until the ST. Louis had
passed as a mark of respect to the
oriental visitor. After General Ruger
and party stepped aboard the st. Louis
at l2;4o p. m they went Immediately to
the aft drawing room, where they were
met by Vice President Wright of the
American line. Ii was in his state room
and word was sent to him that the gov
ernmont representatives were ready to
meet him. About the big liner were
gatnered cfdrt OF every description.
crowded with people anxious to get a
glimpse of the celebrated Chnaman
Whistles were kept going, yachts boom
ed cannon and on some of the tugs fire.
crackers were set off. Coming by Fort
Wadsworth the st. Louis passed outside
the Warsnlps and the flagship New York
nred salute of nineteen guns, which is
is the English lord high admiraps official
recognition.
Lii Hung Chang, after delay of fifteen
minutes, was conducted to the drawing
room by Vice President Wright and his
interpreter and secretary He was at
once presented to General Ruger. who
said: Il am directed by the president
OF the United States to meet you and ex-
tend to you the freedom of the nation.
1 bid you welcome"
The viceroy bowed his head and said:
Il thank you for the courtesy"
Ii wore that highest of Chinese dis
tinctions, the famous yellow jacket with
ltS accompanying ornament the pea
cock feather. Ii was formally present
ed to all present in the room, some dozen
or more. He shook hands with them all.
He was asked if he would like to slip out
on the deck and look at the harbor as the
ship sailed up, but he motioned that he
preferred to sit down and talk with those
present.
General Ruger took a seat to his left
and the interpreter to the right. The
viceroy, in a democratic position, threw
one knee over the other and began to
ask questions. He would like to know il
the president of the republic was in
New York. He was told that he was
and that he would see him tomorrow.
To this the viceroy bowed his head In
acknowledgment.
1.-The French people," said Lii, suddenly
changing the subject, tried to influence
me to 60 home by way of Marseilies and
the Suez canal, but 1 declined, telling
them l wanted to visit the United
States"
Ii talked freely with everybody in the
room.
When the steamer came to Castle Will
liam salute was fired. The envoy asked
what it was and seemed pleased when
told 1t was in his honor. All along the
way the front crowds had gathered and
cheer after cheer went UP in honor of the
great Ii.
1t was 20 p. m. when the steamer
touched the pier. Lis Sedan chair was
gotten ready for him, but he turned to
the men and said: 'I do not need it. 1
prefer to walk upon American shores"
At 1870 p. M, accompanied by the Off
cial party, he left the steamer by pri-
vate gangway and was greeted by the
naval militia, who beat welcoming tune
upon drums. The party descended from
the upper pier by an elevator, which
was elaborately decorated with Chinese
colors, to the floor below, where another
company of the naval reserves formed
Gordon. Here eight carriages were in
waiting for the foreigners. There was a
delay of half an hour In getting away.
In the meantlme an Immense croWu nau
gathered outside the American line dock
at the foot of Fulton street. A large
force of police was on hand and they
had all they could do to restrain the
throng.
A detachment of the Sixth cavalry,
United States army, was in waiting to
escort the envoy and his suite to the Ho-
tel Waldorf. A start was made al p m.
In the first carriage was Ii Hung
Chang, his secretary and interpreter,
Genera Ruger and Mr.. Rockhill. The
rest of the suite followed in the other car
riages AS soon as LIE carriage came off
the pier into West street half of the cav
airy detachment fell in and preceded the
procession. The other half Joined in be-