The sun., 1896-08-16
II HUNG CHANGES MISSION.
ESGLAND'S SUDDEN CHANGE IN
HER ATTITUDE TO CHINA.

Salisbury SccktnE 10 Y orrcct Ihht
Rlunders and Recall Lost OPportunity.
IoSroS Aug. THE spectacular and per-
,onni interest attaching to the remarkable tour
which Ii Hung Chang 10 making through
-hrls,endom has largely distracted public at
t.ntion from the grave and important nature of
his mission. 1t WAS denied ut the outset With
oriental suavity that the great vicsroy's visit
4. Europe had any object beyond representing
X. country at tho coronation ceremonies In
MOSCOW and incidentally making note Of somo
Al those features of Western lifo which
J.nan has utilized to the undolnG of the Celes-
tnl Empire. II was not admitted even that
china had taken to heart the lessons OF tho
rent war to the extent of being willing to make
use of the resources OF . despleed civilization
for her future defence. That admission has
been freely made since Ii has left the Cars
domain and now some of the more serious OBJ
iects of his mission have been confessed also.
Whatever may have been his plans when he
let, Pekin. the explanation which he offers OF
his decision to extend his journey into world
eircltng tour Is this:
when l reached Moscow as the specially
appointed Ambassador OF the Emperor of China
TO represent my imperial master at the corona
ton Of the Eur peror of Russia l communicated
10 my Government that IL would be impossible
for me to leave Europe without visiting Eng
land. the other great empire with which China
has had important and friendly relations for 30
long q period. and have accordingly extended
my mission. 1t would bo \ breach OF diplo-
matte etiquette to define precisely that mission
or its objects to any one but your foreign Min
lister. but may say that 1t has no higher object
than to attract the sympathy Of England TO
China"
The first announcement of tho great msnda-
rims intention to include London In his tour
was very coldly received in this country. Worse
than that, he was publicly warned, on no less
authority than o leading article In the Nmes,
that he need not expect in England any su ch
ha,tering attentions rs he had been receiving in
Moscow and Berlin. Such . rebuf. which was
really too candid expression OF the feeling At
the British Foreign Office at the time. would
ordinarily have been quite sufficient to keep Q
,eif-respec.irg traveller away from British
soil. but it has been followed by syco-
phanto display of hospitality which has
deceived nobody. least OF all Ii Hung Chang
himself Tho Chinese statesman has come to
London to remain q month as the guest OF the
Government. a splendid mansion has been
provided for him. tho Queen and the Prince of
Wales have received him IN special audience.
ali the available forces OF the British navy have
assembled to mako . prodigious noise by much
burning OF powder in his honor. and II he had
the susceptible nature of Q member OF tho
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company he
would BY this time be immensely impressed by
Engand's affection for him and his country.
The explanation of EnElands remarkable
change OF attitude toward Ii Hung Chang. or
rather toward the Chinese empire. within the
past month would involve q discussion of the
whole political situation In Europe and the near
and far East 1t is not necessary to 60 into that
difficult subject in detail. but 1 cannot refrain
from remarking that even in tho turmoil of
currency campaign the fact should not be Lost
sight of that tho most fascinating. the most
momentous struggle between the nations
which the present generation has secn-a strug-
gle not less deadly because waged with the
Weapons Of peace-h RAPIDLY approaching its
crisis.
EugAnd's power and prestige at Pekin waned
two Jears ago. when che failed to avert the war
which Japan was determined TO force upon
China They departed utterly . year later when
In the peace negotiations EnRlish sym pathy was
plainly shown to be on the side of the victors.
Russia. France. and Germany. especially Rus
aiA, as everybody knows, championed the inter-
ssts Of the vanauished Chinese. 1t 10 unlver-
sally believed that the Cars interven lion has
been, or 10 TO be. generously rewarded. Moth
Ing leas than an ice-freO port on the Pacific and
IN outlet for the Trans Siberian railway in
lsstias are 1pectSd TO pay. In fact. tho settle
ment of the terms of q most friendly arrange
ment between China and Russia was supposed
10 be the chief object of Ii Hung ChAnR's visit
to Moscow.
Meantime the Japanese fondly supposed at
arst that England's friendly attitude toward
them meant something more substantial than
mere sympathy. When the trouble with Russia
arose IN Corea the japanese Government look ed
70 Great Britain for at least diplomatic support.
They failed to receive It. They failed to re-
ceiye anything from Lord Salisbury, who
sorted to his time-honored policy OF optimism.
which worked very well in the days whom Great
Britain was the dominant factor In almost every
International complication. Lord Salisbury. In
aword Is one of those lucky diplonatists who
has been fortunate enough to get something for
nothing In many of his dealings with weaker
opponents. Apparently he believes that this
one-stded policy will answer for always The
indications are that 1t has failed disnstrously in
this instance. The latest information from tho
Tar East Is 10 the effect that tho disgusted Jap
Anese and the astu:s Russians are coming TO .
very amicAble understanding. not only as re-
CARDS CoreA, but in other matters also.
II 1t be true that England, by her selhshness
and stupidity. has forced Japan into the arms
OF Russia, then It is quite clear that Lord Sails
bury, In his "splendid isolation" might turn to
The forlorn hope of winning back the good
graces Of China. On tho other hand. 1t Is pos
sioie but not probable that Ii Hung Chang has
tailed TO make a satisfactory arrangement with
the Cars Government. and 20 has come on to
England TO endeavor TO reestablish close rela-
tions with this country. At all events. Lord
ha!iabury Is very glad indeed to see him. and no
aonot he will do all in his power to save some
thinR for England out OF the wreck OF her pres
nge In the far East.
ii Hung Chang comes to London with re-
pea'ed protestAtions that ho has granted no
unusual fayors OF any sort to Russia. He is
quite hurt by tho insinuatlon that China intends
oolhg anything beyond expressing her graft
.uae TO Russia for her immense services on her
oehalf. very important and interesting ar
tcIo appeared In the Tnes day or two ago
setting forth the views OF tho Chinese viceroy
upon the political situation. This article is
probably from the pen OF Sir Halliday Macast-
hey' the English attache of the Chinese Lega-
uoh here. and II was undou Dtedly author