Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-01
Ii AND HIS QUESTIONS.
The Chinese Ambassador Occupies
His Time Gathering Information.


New York Herald relates his experience. as
follows:
He displayed the greatest interest in his
surroundings. and before he had been on
board half an hour he had learned the age,
income and personal predictions of every
man on board. Col. Fred Grant had been
talking to him about the railroads of this
country. telling him the wonderful work
they had done in building up the west. Just
then the big sugar reiineries in Williams
burg hove in sight.
There said Col. Grant, 'is an industry
In which $37.OOO,0OO is invested"
What is it?" asked Ii.
Sugar"
That's what you had trouble about in
your Congress-" replied the envoy, quickly.
How much does 1t pay on the invest
ment?
Twelve per cent year"
Ugh" said Lii, and he began to ply the
colonel with questions about sugar, want
ing to know how much was imported and
how much was grown in this country. This
conversation lasted until the sound of
big gun came from the Brooklyn shore.
That's our navy yard" explained Gen.
Ruger.
I'm interested in your navy said Lii as
he looked toward the shore and saw the
Chinese flag floating on the old man-of-war
vermont. Il want to your men-of-
war" iHr
m sorry, your exccllcncy," said Gen.
Kruger, but your stay here is going to be
so short that an inspection of the fleet will
be impossible =
Ii bowed gravelf, but later In the day he
made Capt. Glover explain our naval sys-
tenn and give him the names of our strong
est vessels and recount their capacity
fighting machines He also inspected the
Dolphin thoroughly, and seemed curious
about every detail of the ship.
When the Vlcefoy caught sight of the
BROOKLYN bridge his curiosity was raised TO
the highest pitch. He ratified off questions
faster than Col Grant could answer them.
His countrymen were also interested, and
Does the bridge pay? Who built it? Does
he get a pension ~ Who owns the bridge?
When was it built? How long will 1t last?
Ever been ar, atcide mt on it? Is IT used
much? Any charge for crossing II? These
were few of the questions which Col.
Grant had to answer. Then the queries
turned to finances. and the viceroy wanted
to know if New York city bonds were al
premium
1T is wonderful structure" said Ii, as
the Dolphin passed under the bridge. The
Americans are great people; their ingenuity
passes all bounds
Now, your eXcellency," said Gen. Ruger
I'VE are coming to Governors Island l do
not own the island, but the island practi-
cally owns me-
But the viceroy's eyes had caught sight
of old Castle Garden, and he wanted to
ki ow If that We're not fort. Then the
tall buildings in Broadway attracted his
for them, but expressed a fear that they
were not safe He said he had heard of
them even in China. and was certain the
accounts had not been exaggerated.
Some Pointed Questions.
Former Minister Seward at this point
came up t, show some point of interest to
the viceroy. He had no opportunity:
What business are you in now?'' said Ii.
quickly.
Il am in the Insurance business was
the reply.
be insured
Il am sorry" said Mr.. Seward. but the
law restricts my business. l would not he
permitted to give YOU an insurance policy"
Ugh. said the vfceroy, with Il smile
You're afraid because I'm seventy-sour
years old. III live longer than many
younger man."
Then Vice President THOMPSON of the
Pennsylvania road came in for his share Of
the oatechism.
How many accidents do you have on
your road?
They are net very frequent"
Why said Ii. in apparent astonish-
| ment, 1.-The president of a big railroad in
| England told me that they had no acct
dents there; that they all occurred in
America
After the laugh which this remark caused
had subsidized, the viccroy asked Mr.
Thompson his age. which was told him.
How much do you get year,
Mr.. Thompson cvaded this question, and
then asked how many miles of rails
the Pennsylvania railroad owned
About nine thousand was the reply
And yet you have not told me how
much salary the vice president of an Amer
lean railroad nine thousand miles lorg re-
ce:ves?"
Let me tell you about the coming use
of electricity laughed Mr.. Thompson.
I'D rather have the salary question an
swered," insisted Ii.
"Fll whisper it," was the reply. Mr.
Thompson then went over to thu interpre-
ter and whispered few words The in
terpreter went up to Ii and marked some
Chinese characters on a piece of paper.
which he handed to him. Ii looked at Mr..
Thompson and smiled The interpreter
face. From their looks it was evident that
the vice president received enough to keen
him from want, though the amount will be
kept a secret.
LIS Estimnte OF Grant.
When Grants tomb came in sight LII
arose to his feet and stood facing the shore
with hat in hand, He had seen the tomb
ard recognized 1t. at once. All the ships
! company stood at attention, and the en-
sign was dipped as a salute.
II have seen the tombs of Peter the
Great" said the Niceroy mpressively, and
of William 1. General Grant was a greater
man than either of them.
Lii remained on his feet until the tomb
was passed and then began TO make in
qur.es about the monument. He said
frankly that the temporary work should
| be torn down and that the finest monu-
ment it was possible to get should be
erected.
Shortly after Riverside Park was reach
ed, the rain began to fall, but Ii remained
| on deck almost all the time till West Point
was reached. BY this time the rain came
Down in torrents. Then Ii said:
"WeSt Point pretty place: hard to get 1t ::
much like heaven
| At West Point LIS three cooks were
| given possession of the galley and soon a
| steaming repast was ready, of which boil
| ed chicken was the principal feature. After
| lunch the viceroy took a nap for nearly
an hour and said he was much refreshed
when he awoke.
Ii then expressed desire to talk with
! the commander of the Dolphin, Comman-
| der Glover. who was on the bridge, and he
was sent for. For more than half an hour