The herald., 1896-08-10
THE Chinese AMBASSADOR
Rises Early for a Newspaper
Interview
lie WORE SATIN CLOTHING
And His Smile Captivated the Impress.
sionable Reporter
Ii Is Coming Here and Though the National
Larder Is Empty He Must Be Enter.
tained Somehow
Associated Press Special Wire.


By special appointment, a representative
of the Associated Press was this morning
accorded an interview with Ii Hung
Chang, England's guest of honor this
month. The hour set for the interview
was $3.50 in the morning. an indication
that the Chinese statesman is not given
to late hours. Early as the hour was,
there were, nevertheless, several per-
sons In waiting to see the emperor of Chi
mas envoy. The attendants were, how
ever, instructed as to the period of the
appointment to the representative of the
Associated Press, and he was selected
from a number of applicants on all pos
sible errands and shown into Ii Hung
Chang's private parlor, which is the
eiround-hoor morning room in Lord
Lonsdale's mansion in Carleton House
terrace. A group Of servants stood be-
fore the door, through which the news
paper man was conducted by Viscount
Ii, the statesman's son, and who acts Is
his interpreter. Lii Hung Chang rorse
and bowed with formal courtesy as his
visitor entered, and then shook hands,
| after which he motioned to seat oppo-
site his own. Ii Hung Chang was hab-
| plum -colored stiff skirt dark blue silk
jacket and black satin cap. with GRIM
| son silk button in the center Of the crown
| to designate his status as mandarin.
In front of the cap band was fixed large
| pearl stud set with diamonds.
| During the course of the interview L.
most of the time looked his interlocutor
| straight in the face, his piercing brown
| eyes suggesting the penetrative power of
the Roentgen rays. The complexion Of
| his face was a dark bronze, relieved by
| a thin, struggling gray mustache and
| imperial. While talking his face be-
comes animated with an occasional
smile, full of perception and accom-
panied by a gesture.
He then relapsed into the impassive-
ness of a bronze idol. His voice is low in
pitch, but of sonorous quality, and he
speaks with the strong infections SO
characteristic of the Chinese tongue.
i ssi lS W, .-t.ry.-.---,----i-
arrival in England, and has seized that
rather formidable institution of western
| clVlllzat1on with firm grasp to direct
1t, rather than to be controlled by It, The
method employed by the astute Oriental
diplomat in his interviews with news
papers is to ask and not answer oues-
tions. The Associated Press representa-
tive found himself besought for informa-
ton as to arrangements for the coming
transit Of Ii through the United Statas
oe1ore opportunity was given to put a
question. Ii was very eager regarding
the program for his tour of the Unit ID
States and the American arrangements.
He asked If Philadelphia was much out
OF the way on the railroad route from
New York to Washington.
AT this point the Chinese dignitarv
clapped his hands to call servant in the
oriental fashion. The servant. clad ",
his native garb, entered and bowed low
and retired, and then returned with tea
IN covered cup Of exquisitely frail and
uelicate porcelain. While this was being
partaken OF by his caller, Ii Hung asked
ABOUT the special train on the Pennsyl-
Vanla railroad, which is to be provided
Tor MIN, and whether it would carry him
direct to Vancouver without change. He
was informed that probably it would.
III explained that Hon. John Russell
Young had written to him asking hin,
to luncheon in Philadelphia, at which
ne promised that all of Ii Hung Changs
Ola friends should be present. Lii first
met Mr. Young when the latter accom-
panied General Grant on his tour around
the world, and afterwards when he be-
came United States minister to China
under President Arthur. Ii asked If
Mr. Young held such a position among
Americans as to lead them to follow his
arrangements. Being assured of this.
ne asked cordially after the health of
Mr.. Young and of Gen. James H. Wilson
and Mr.. Wharton Barker, whom he had
seen in China. The Associated Press
representative said that the greatest re-
gret was felt among Americans that Lii
Hung Chang would be unable to see
enough of the United States to obtain
knowledge of the country equally in
innate of that obtained of the countries
he had already seen.
Ii Hung Chang in reply asserted that
ne deeply regretted that it was impera-
tive that he should sail from Vancouver
on September H. for which date passage
had been engaged for him on the steam
er Empress for China.
He was asked if he would like to eat
some Of the American delicacies. sucb
as terrapin and canvas back duck. which
were likely to be offered to him at Amer
lean dinners.
The fame of the terrapin and canvas
back duck are believed to have penetrat-
ed China though the extravagant fond
ness for those dishes of former Chinese
envoy at Washington. Ii replied to this
query with an amused smile, saving:
Il should be pleased to taste all such |
dainties, but cannot promise to do so
as my teeth are no longer good. For this
reason 1 prefer to confine myself to |
Chinese meals"
Here Lii Hung Chang called out some-
thing to the servant in the adjoining
room. The latter entered and took J
from the sideboard long silver pine
the bowl Of which resembled a spirit
lamp. He blew. through the stem. nut
a pinch of tobacco in it, lighted it with
a taper, and held it to the Chinese no.
!entate's lips. Lipulled thrice with much |