The record-union., 1896-09-05
Inc Chinese ambassador Seeing the
Sights at Washington City.
charmed With the Scenes and the
Treatment Accorded Him.
Has a Long Interview With Secretary
of the Treasury Carlisle-Ten-
dered an Elaborate Dinner by Ex.
Secretary of State FOster-Will
To-Day.

To-Day.
WASHINGTON Cd. c., Sept. A.
After breakfast this morning Ii Hung
Chang announced he did not feel like
hanging around his superb apartments
all morning receiving officials, as mad
been mapped out in the programme, but
would like to see the Capitol if he had
time before keeping his appointment at
the Chinese Legation. Carriages were
ordered and the party drove to the Cap
itol.
The entire Capitol was undergoing it's
summer renovation, the new floors and
ventilating system was being put down
in the Senate chamber, and visit
would have been more impressive at an
other season, but the Viceroy took a
deep interest in everything. His first
question was asked in the Presidents 8
room, which was unusually bare of fur
niture. He wanted to know whether
the President was there every day, and
was much aStoniShed when told that the
President used it but once for few
hours annually. He left his chair and
went around examining the historical
paintings minutely. He became deeply
interested in the story of Pocahontas,
which had to be related in full. The
first military subject he happened to
strike was the surrender of Burgoyne,
which led him to ask if Grant was in it,
and when told that he was not he
wanted to know where Grant was at the
time. In the library he viewed the
stacks Of books with evident interest,
and when introduced to Librarian Spot
ford took a great fancy to him. He
asked him how old he was.
Seventy" replied the librarian.
You must have many books in your
head" declared Ii.
But many more out of it, the IL
brarian replied.
But you must be very wise man."
persisted Ii.
No; / know comparatively little"
The chair was moved out on the Capt.
tol portico, where the magnificent pano-
rama of Washington was spread out.
The Niceroy was charmed with the
scene. Presently he began asking about
the monument, what it cost, how they
built 1t, how did 1t compare with the other
high structures, and ended by declar-
ing that he should go up to the top to-
morrow and see for himself if all that
was told him was true.
After he had smoke the party was
led through Statuary Hall, where the
statues of distinguished Americans did
not interest the Viceroy after he found
Grants was not there. He wondered
why there was no statue of Grant any
where in Washington, but when told
there was fine painting of him at the
White House. he said he would not go
away without seeing it.
In the House of Representatives the
gorgeous gallery over the Speakers
desk attracted his attention, and when
told it was reserved for the press, he
laughed and said that it was finer than
those of the President and diplomatic
corps. He was asked if he wanted to go
over to the library, which was prob
ably the finest building in the country,
but when he found that 1t was unfin-
ished, and had only 600 Chinese books
in it, he said he was too old to learn to
read English, and thought he had bet
ter go to the legation, where he was due.
After transacting a certain amount Of
business and partakng of an elaborate
Chinese luncheon at the legation the
statesman returned to the hotel.
At } o'clock he had an appointment
to go to the top of the Washington
monument, but at that hour Major Cen
eral Miles, General Peck, General Rug
giles, General Greely and others called
to pay their respects The Viceroy
asked General Miles how old he was,
and when the General told him he had
served with Grant the Viceroy became
deeply interested, and asked numerous
questions about Grants military life.
After this interview ex-Secretary
Foster took the Viceroy. Lord Ii and
DIR. Mark to call on Secretary Carlisle
at the latters residence. The visit
turned out to be the most important
of the day, and resulted in the complete
demolition of the afternoon programme.
The Viceroy spent over an hour in a
discussion of the finance and tariff with
Secretary Carlisle. He was amazed with
the Secretary's knowledge of the Chin
ese system and the clear perception he
had of different subjects. When the dis
c;1ssion had continued until half-past
O'Clock the Viceroy drove to Secretary
I.anont's. where he left his card re-
heating this courtesy at the residence
of General Miles and Secretary Francis.
At z o'clock he sat down to an elab-
crate dinner rendered by ex-Secretary
Foster Besides the host and the vice.
roy the following guests We're present.
His excellency, Ii Ching Fong tnrst son
OF the viceroy), Secretary to Lo Fung
Iuh: Ii Chung Sou Second son OF the
Viceroy): DR. Irwin and DR.. Mark, med
teal attendants; the Chinese Minister,
the Mexican Minister, Senor Romero,
Secretaries Carlisle, Lamont, francis,
Justice Harlan, Governor Lowndes OF
Maryland, Generals Miles, Ruger, f. B.
Drew, James III. Wilson OF New YORK,
and DR.. w w. Johnston OF Wasnins-
ton.
During the repast the United States
Marine Band gave a serenade-
At the conclusion of the dinner MT.
Foster made n few remarks, 10 Which
Ii Hung Chang responded through ms
Interpreter in a written speech lie
Mid:
.'Since the establishment Of our treaty
relations there have always been evil
dences of good friendship between our
two countries, but all these evidences,
/ dare say, have now been eclipsed by
the cordiality and warmth displayed py
the American Government and citizens