Evening star., 1896-08-13
LIHUNG CHANGES CHARACTER
What Ex-secretary Foster Thinks Of the
Viceroy.
A Progressive, Enlightened Statesman
Hampered by the Antiqunted
Customs of His Country.


John w Foster In the Century Magazine.
Although the greatest general his coun-
try has produced in this century, Ii Hung
Chang is pre-eminertly man of peace.
While Japan has exalted the warlike spirit,
and there the soldier is the idol of the peo-
pie, I'm China the soldier is lightly esteemed
and always takes rank below the literary
class. But, Notwithstanding this peaceful
spirit, there is often a war party In China,
and on two % three memorable occasions
it has fallen to the lot of Vioeroy Ii to be
placed In antagonism to 1t.
1t is now well known that he opposed
the late hostilities with Japan. The govern
ment of the latter during the progress of
the war obtained possession of and pub
lished certain memorials to the throne,
dated in 1852, and forwarded by the vice.
roy, which looked to the ultimate invasion
of Japan, but at best ii was merely an in
choate scheme and probably encouraged by
the viceroy to aid his projects for the de-
fense Of the approaches to Peking. he
had a better knowledge OF the military
strength of Japan and the weakness of
China than any other of the emperors s aG-
visers, and he feared the consequences to
his country of conflict. In the verbnl
negotiations for peace the following COLO
guy occurred:
An Interesting COllOquy.
Marquis Ito-"War is an evil, though
sometimes unavoidable
Viceroy Li-"Far better avoided. When
Gen. Grant. ex-President Of the United
States, visited Tientsin and we became
friends he said to me: The loss of life In
the rebellion in my country was so terrible
that after / became President | was always
anxious to avert war, and have ever since
advised others to do so. Your excellency
won favor in suppressing the TAPPING re-
bellion. yet ] urge you to beware of en-
trance to a quarrel which might lead TO
war / have always tried to follow this
excellent advice. Your eXcellency well
knows that l was opposed to this war
Marquis Ito--"War is a cruel and bloody
business, yet there are times and conditions
in the intercourse Of states when there is
10 help for It,"
Viceroy Lit Is barbarous, and the per-
fection of modern weapons adds to the
slaughter. Your eXccllency is in the prime
of life and feels the impulse OF martial ar
dor"
Marquis Ito-"How easily peace might
have been made at the beginning
Viceroy LII was for peace then, but
the opposition was too much for me, and
the opportunity was lost"
1t will be of interest in this connection to
note that the friendship between the vice
roy and Gen. Grant, above referred to, was
sincere and reciprocal, and the general re-
garded the former as one of the three great
men of the world Of his day. As token
of the viceroy's respect, by his direction
the Chinese minister in Washington makes
a visit to Riverside on the anniversary of
the generals death and lays upon his tonIb
a wreath of flowers.
Liberal-Minded.
1t is claimed that, Notwithstanding Ii
Hung Chang has shown some liberality OF
views toward modern Improvements and
education, h, is at heart hater Of foreign
ers and has an abiding faith in Chinese in
stitutions and methods Of government. He
is, 1t Is true, great admirer OF the Con-
fucian philosophy, and, remembering the
enduring history of his people, We can
hardly wonder at his devotion to the insti-
tutions which have made that history pos
sibe. But in all his public life his conduct
shows that he feels the need Of foreign aid
and Is disposed to give 1T proper welcome,
and of all Chinese statesmen he is the most
liberal minded and free from prejudice.
Hampered by Customs.
He is far from claiming that the present
system of government is perfect. He has,
in fact, urged upon the authorities at Pc
king two important changes which look to
reform of most serious defects In the
system to wit, the withdrawal from the
viceroys of provinces of powers which
should be exercised only by the imperial
government. and such a change in the
method of admission to the public service
as VIII nDerallZe tne EXAMINATIONS ana
make fitness rather than scholarship the
test. There are other changes which he
would gladly bring about IL he had the
power, but, as he confessed to Marquis
ITO "Chna Is hampered by antiquated
customs which prevent desirable reforms"
His Religious Views.
The religious Views Of the viceroy are of
interest at this time. It has been charged
that he partakes fully of the superstition
which is a marked characteristic of his peo-
pie, and memorials to the throne are cited in
which he recognizes the interposition OF the
river gods in the form Of snake during the
devastating floods and other marvellous &C.
currences. He has to the emperor denounced
both Buddhism and Taoism as unorthodox
sects. An incident of his peace mission
shows that he is at least respectful toward
Christianity and recognizes the existence OF
| an overruling providence When the attack
was made upon his life the Christians of
| Nagova, both japanese and foreigners, sent
| that they were praying for his recovery.
MY father has directed me to write the
| following, dictated from his bed, In reply 10
| your address. He IL deeply moved by the
| sentiments of kindly solicitude for his well
! fare expressed in your address, and feels
| that the prayers you have offered forhis re-
| covery cannot have been unheeded by the
power who controls human destinies He
| feels that his escape from death was little
| short of miraculous.
"He believes that his life has been spared
| to him for some wise purpose beyond the