The San Francisco call., 1896-08-09
Il HUNG CHANG COMING.
The State Department Is Expect
ed to Arrange for His
Entertainment.
Speculation With Regard TO Defraying
Expenses and the Action of
the President.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Aug. s.-Confir-
nation of the announcement that LII Hung
Chang would leave Southampton on the
22d inst. for the United States has reached
the Chinese legation here. 1t is supposed
that the legation has informed the State
Department OF the news and that it has
been promptly forwarded to the President
and Secretary of State. Those officials are
now expected to give consideration to the
question Of entertaining the Vice.
roy during his stay in the United States.
No details have yet been perfected for
Lis reception. and in fact not much
thought has been given to the matter
The probabilities are that the Ch inese
Minister and his entire suite will go to
New York and there greet the En- peror's
representative upon his arrival Former
Secretary Of State Foster, who is on inti-
mate relations with the distinguished
Chinese statesman, will also probably be
on hand to welcome Ii to America. Mr..
Foster and Ii were warm friends in the
Orient, and the latter has undoubtedly in
formed Mr.. Foster of the date of his ar
rival in this country.
The State Department will also probably
have representatives in. New York to
formally express this Governments graft
fication at the coming of Ii. There will
be Secretary of State 0lney and Assistant
Secretary of State Rockhill, the latter be-
ing well acquainted with the great Chinese
statesman as a result of q number of
years residence in Pekin in q diplomatic
capacity.
No positive information can be obtained
as to where the President will receive Lii
or the date upon which such reception will
take place. 1t may be that Ii will not see
Mr.. Cleveland. If the President were in
Washington it would be an easy matter to
arrange an audience. Being at Gray
Gables, however, it would not be strict
diplomatic etiquet TO have Ii make long
journey to the Cleveland summer home.
The probabilities are that if Ii sees the
Pres ident at all it will be either in New
York, during his stay there, or in Wash
ington. In the event of the latter being the
meeting place. the President will have TO
make the journey to this city and back to
Gray Gables, something he and his friends
are anxious that he should avoid. 1t has
not yet been decided whether Ii shall be
the guest of the Government or whether
he will defray his own expenses.
1t is true that there is no special appro-
priation for his entertainment, but If the
authorities desired they could employ the
secret service fund to pay any expenses
that may be incurred during his stay in
the United States. It is pointed out that
the Princess Eulalia was entertained at
Government expense, although there was
no appropriation for that action, the Sc
cret service iund being employed in this
instance.
Ii will have an autograph letter from
the Emperor to present to the President,
and it is this fact that has induced the
belief that Mr.. Cleveland will make an
earnest effort to welcome him. 1t is not
known what this letter contains, but it is
supposed it is the usual formal letter of
greeting from a sovereign to the chief
executive of republic. 1t Is not known
how long Ii will remain in the United
States