The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-28
Ii is HERE.
The Grand Old Man of China
Lands
On Our Shores at New York
City Today.
ELEVEN WAR SHIPS
Compose the Squadron That
Greets the Chinese Premier
The Yellow Flag of China Waves
In the Breeze.
ELEVEN WAR SHIPS

New York, Aug. 28-The American
steamship St. Louis from Southampton
on August p having on board Ii Hung
Chang, the Chinese special envoy and
suite was signalled east of Fire Island
OF o'clock this morning.
The st. Louis arrived off quarantine
at 1890 and was Immediately boarded
by the government welcoming officers
from the cruiser Dolphin who extended
to the Chinese statesman, in behalf of
President Cleveland, a welcome to the
United States.
At s o'clock this morning colors were
hOlSted on board the fleet of American
war ships at anchor off Tompkinsville,
Staten Island, with the usual ceremOn-
les, the band of the flagship New York
playing the Star Spangled Banner"
shortly afterwards the crews of all
the ships were buSily engaged in pol
ishing and furnishing. oiling and
cleaning, vigorously placing the finish
ing touches upon the naval hnery dis
played in all its glory in honor of Uncle
Sam and preparatory to welcoming Ii
Hung Chang, the grand Old Man of
China, the statesman of many titles, in
an appropriate manner.
Shortly after the announcement at 9
o'clock that the St. Louis was sighted
east of Fire Island, thrOngs of people
Travelled across the ferries or by other
routes to Fort WadsWOrth, Fort Ham
iltOn, Bay Ridge, Quarantine, Tomp-
kinSVille and other points from which
guiShed guest of the nation could be
witnessed, to the best advantages. 9th
er crowds f1Ocked to the battery and
still others stationed themselves at an
early hour in the vicinity of the Amer
lean line dock where the traveller was
to land.
1t is doubtful if New York bay ever
presented a grander sight than it did
this morning, for, anchored there in
stately strength, were eleven of the
warships of the navy of the United
States, the embodiment of grace and
strength of speed and offensive power
At the American line pier were sta
toned four troops of the sixth cavalry
U. S. A, and a detachment of the naval
reserve. The former were detailed to
escort the great Chinaman up Broad
way to the Waldorf hotel and the latter
acting as a guard of honor at the dock
which was appropriately decorated for
the occasion, the United States flag and
the yellow standard of China, with its
black dragon rampant, predOminating.
Ii Hung Chang's suite consists of 40
persons and he has with him about 300
pieces of baggage, some of them being
of immense size. The sumptuOus coffin
which he carried with him as a matter
of precaution has been sent back to
China via. the Suez canal which would
seem to show that the traveller has no
fear of dying before reaching his native
land again. The Chinese flag is float
Hung Chang and his suite occupy the
state apartments and have special
kitchen accommodation.
COMING UP THE HARBOR
New York. aug. 28.-The st. Louis
slowly moved up the bay, surrounded
by all kinds of gaily decorated craft
and with the Dolphin quite near her, to
the music of tremendous chorus of
steam whistles and q continual fusilade
of giant fire crackers and cannon.
As the St. Louis neared the American
fleet the first gun of the salute in
honor of the Chinese visitors was fired
from the flagship New York gun by
gun until q shots had been fired The
New York was the only war-ship to
fire a salute, but the other ships dip
ped their cOlOrs as the St. Louis pass
ed. They presented a magnificent ap-
peaTance and were watched with the
greatest interest by the Chinese embas-
sadOr and his suite from the position
which they occupied on the port side
of the upper deck of the American
liner At quarantine it was learned
that Ii Hung Chang stood the voyage
remarkably well and had not been at
all seasick-
The StLouis reached her dock at u: 80
.. m. But the party was not able to
land until sometime later, owing to the
necessary delay in warping the ship
alongside of her wharf.
The chinese party was received at the
pier by the guard of honor of the ma
rine infantry and an immense crowd of
people which was with difficulty kept
back from the approaches by a large
force of police.
The procession left the pier headed
by a detachment of the Sixth cavalry
and having another detachment of the
same regiment in its rear. The whole
was preceded by a detachment of
mounted police and it moved away
amid loud cheering.
The route of the procession was
guarded by police and densely packed
with spectators. A quantity of bunt-
ing was displayed on all sides and
among it the Chinese standard was
continually seen.
LiHungChang was attired in the histor-
ical yellow jacket purple silk trousers.
black and white felt shoes and a black
and red hat with the three-eyed pea
cock plume depending from the back
Holding the jacket in the front was a
large diamond surrounded with pearls.