The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-02
Our HOspitable President.


Citizen George Francis Train has
summed up the nations lack of courtesy
towards Ii Hung Chang in the follow
ing characteristic words:
Guest in a hotel. Received by the pres
idcnt of the nation in the house of a TAM
many law clerk. that deserted the Tiger
when he became rich. An insult TO the
man the crowned heads of Europe could
not entertain lavishly enough. y diplo-
matte mistake, either from Ignorance or
design Ii will feel the insult. Too great
a man to let it Interfere with the relations
between the two countries. Cleveland TOO
busy cat-fishing and yawling to meet him
in the white house. Take the tip. Ii VIII
not 20 to Washington at all.
The indifference of the Buzzards Bay
fisherman to the importance of Ii Hung
Chang's visit has been remarked upon
by others than Citizen Train. While
another poses as Emperor Of China, 1t is
evident that the famous viceroy is really
the power behind the throne and it is his
impressions of this country that Will
be of benefit or injury to American trade
and interests in the nowery Kingdom.
At the close of our war nearly every
dominant influence in China was dis
tinctively American. Almost down to
1870 Americans commanded the Chinese
army in nearly all its departments, what
little navy the government had was Off
cered chiefly by Americans and the
trade of the empire was controlled more
largely by American capital than by
that of any other nation in the world.
Americans held important privileges
from the government and the influence
of the United States in the cabinet of
the emperor was more important than
that of any of the European countries.
There was not n government in the
world that did not envy this country for
the position it held in Chinese affairs.
Slowly but surely we have lost nearly
every position of supremacy we then
held in the Chinese empire. Other ma
tions control its trade and while the au-
thorities of that country have never lost
either their respect for or confidence in
our government we have lost much of
the substantial benefits arising from the
close relations that existed between the
two governments prior to 1871.
The war with Japan has demonstrated
to the exclusive Chinaman that modern
civilization is necessary in order that
China may continue to be known as a
powerful nation, and he has been forced
to admit that Japans success in the
conflict was due to the spirit of progress
that has pervaded the rejuvenated
little country for many years past.
The elements of such civilization must
be imported as they are not indigenous
to the soil of China. Where those germs
are to be taken from will be decided by
the Chinese ambassador now in this
country. He is sharp enough to see diff
ferences in national habits and customs
and he knows enough of national char
acteristics to be a competent judge as to
which alliance will prove most beneficial
to his own country. He has known, in
timately, some of the best American
statesmen and they have won his regard
and confidence. IL what he sees in this
country and the treatment he receives
from its people confirm the views of
America which he had when he landed
in this country it is more than probable
that American ideas and influence may
again be as powerful in China as they
were IN 1869.
1t is not surprising, therefore, that
many besides Citizen Train should blush
at the i'll manners of the individual who
has been twice honored with the highest
office in the land, who after shaking
hands with the nations guest at pri-
vate residence in New York, calmly
turns his back upon one of the worlds
greatest statesmen and returns to the
brainy contemplation of the bobbing
cork and tishline.