Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-29
Famous Chinese Statesman
and Warrior at New York.
Arrives on Steamer St. Louis and is
Given a Grand Reception.
Declines His Sedan Chair. Preiering TO Walk
on American Soil.

today, n became the guest of the
nation. The St. Louis passed Fire
Island at 1888 A. NJ, with the dis
tinguished visitor on board. She was
welcomed by the footing of whistles of
tugs and steamers as she passed up
the lower bay and entered the narrows.
A clear atmosphere with a tinge of
autumn coolness in it and a light
! breeze tina ruffied the surface of the
bay, combined to make the first view
that Ii Hung-Chang had of the harbor
of the metropolis, a pleasing one.
Added to its natural beauties was the
imposing spectacle furnished by the
presence of the finest warships of the
navy. The fleet was composed of the
cruiser New York, flagship of the fleet,
with Admiral Bunce on board; the
| cruisers Cincinnati, Columbia, Raleigh,
| Newark, the battleships Indiana, Mas
~sachusetts, Maine M Texas; the mon
TORS Amphitrite and Terror, the ram
Katahdin and the dispatch boat Dol
phin, with the reception committee on
board.
The m~en-of-war formed in double
column and as the St. Louis passed be
tween the lines, saluted in turn with
the roar of their batteries. The ON
mittee from the Dolphin boarded the
st, Louis off Quarantine and accom-
panied Ii Hung-Chang to the pier of
the American line at the foot of Fulton
street, where the landing was made.
Preparations for the reception of the
famous Chinaman had been carefully
arranged. Major General Thomas
Ruger, commander of the department
of the East, as the personal represen-
tative of President Cleveland, with his
two staff officers, Mai. George W.
Davis and Captain Milit. William L.
I;ockhill, first assistant secretary of
state. representing his department.:
the Chinese minister Yang Yu and Sec
rotary. the Chinese consul and a rep
resentatiYe of the United Associated
Press. boarded the United States dis
patch boat Dolphin early in the morn
ing and steamed down the bay to meet
the ambassador.
The fleet presented a magnificent
| spectacle. the rays of a brilliant sun
lighting up their white forms and re-
tiect6lg upon the highly polished rail-
ing and p%rotruding guns with dazzling
effect. 1t was a sight calculated to in
spire confidence in the efficiency of the
naval of the United States.
Perhaps never in the history of these
| waters has such a demonstrative group
of American men-of-War beer congre-
gated. Admiral Bunce was in per
sonal command and at an early hour
had the men on deck ready to greet
the national guest.
At the st. Louis steamed up toward
Quarantine. along the rail of the hurri-
cane deck could be seen a row of
strongly-marked Chinese faces. all
eagerly noting the different objects OF
interest in the harbor. They peered
out of their slant eyes with a look of
wondering establishment at the impas-
sive fleet lying idly in the harbor. They |
talked hurriedly to each other and kept
continually pointing to the death-deal-
ing naval machines.
1t was a picturesque sight on the
deck of the st. Louis. The Chinese in
their gay colored clothes, intermingling
with the other passengers, formed a
peculiar spectacle, not to say strange
conglomeration. 1t was a rainbow of
colors. At the masthead of the St.
Louis floated the imperial colors OF
China, the yellow flag with an immense
dragon boldly outlined in the center in
natural colOrS, blue, red. green. white
n yellow. When the st. Louis came
neal Quarantine, a steam launch was
lowered from the daVits of the Dolphin
and the receiving party conveyed over
to the big liner. The party consisted
of General Ruger, Major Davis, Cap
tain Mills, the Chinese minister, secre-
tary and consul, and Mr.. Rockhill and
T.. b.. Drew, commissioner of Chinese
customs.
When the party boarded the st.
Louis they found in the members of
the ambassadors suite Ii Hung
Changes two sons, Lore Ii. Sr., and
Lord Ii, Jr,; Secretaries of Embassies
Lo-Fengtuh. Mr.. Lien. Mr.. Lin and
Mr.. Yu; DR.. Cowan, the Scotch physi-
clan. AID DIR. Max. the Chinese medi-
cal attendant of the envoy There were
also seven other attaches of what is
known as Lis gentlemen attendants.
In the servant class were Major Ven,
with II military attendants and nine
body servants. Their costumes We're
of every possible mode. Some of the
jackets were of red and gold plush.
others of Prussian blue, indigo blue
and crimson. OF the little red button.
Il uiStlnSulS1cu marx OF rank, there
was a large number. whilst the crowns
of many of the mandarin hats We're of
the same color. All of the skirts We're
of rich material II gorgeously flow
cred. The quaint dresses of the suits
attracted much attention.
The st. Louis arrived at her dock at
about 1.33 t. NJ. Thousands assembled
at the pier to welcome the Chinese
statesman. The police arrangements
were admirable. For the reception $50
policemen had been drafted from vari-
precincts. About 100 men We're
stationed in and about the pier. the re
nlainder being placed at intervals
along West and Whitehall streets in
order to have Il clear passage INTO
Broadway.
The 9Th United States Cavalry ar
rived from Battery park. where they
dismounted after riding up from Fort
shortly after noon. They /,
drew up outside the pier and presented
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