The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-05
Ii HUNG CHANG IN WASHINGTON.
Entertained at Dinner by Ex-Secretary
of State Foster.

Entertained at Dinner by Ex-Secretary
of State Foster
Washington, Sept. Ali Hung Chang
arose early to-day and devoted the
morning to sightseeing. He spent an
hour at the capitol and later visited
other public buildings. At noon the
Niceroy was entertained at lunch at
the Chinese Legation by Minister Yang
Yu In the afternoon Prince Ii took
nap at his hotel, the Arlington, and
later called on Secretary Carlisle at
his home
LII Hung was entertained at dinner
tonight by eX-Secretary of State Jno.
w. Foster, the guests Including three
members Of the cabinet, the command
ing general of the army and several
other nOtables in official position.
Dinner was given at the Arlington
hotel, three large parlors being used
| Tor the occasion. The decorations
were of the most elaborate character,
the long table showing great clusters
| of American beauty roses, yellow as
ters, China asters and golden rod and
ferns, thus combining the characteris-
tic colors Of the two nations.
The guests included Secretaries La
| mont, Carlisle and Francis, Generals
Ruger and Miles and Gov. Lowndes. of
| Maryland.
| Then menu was simple but elegant
lacking, however, any dishes of dis
| tinct Chinese character. 1t was pre-
| pared by the American cooks. The
| distinguished guest had taken his
| dinner before the event of the evening
and Partook but very sparingly of
| what was before him and merely
/ f0nQbp6 %ba oh - /,
| the conclusion of the dinner, Mr., Fos-
| ter made a few remarks expressing the
! great pleasure of the company at the
visit of Ii Hung Chang to the national
| capital and other prominent cities of
| the country and regretting that his
| public and urgent duties made his stay
| so short.
| As he was about to undertake the re-
sumption Of his long journey across the
continent and over the great oceans
| the company heartily joined in wish
| ing him safe journey and continued
| life of usefulness to his country and
| the whole world.
| The Niceroy replied as follows:
I'm acknowledging the hospitality ex-
| tended me by my old friend, the Hon.
| john w. Foster, | have to thank him
for affording me an opportunity be-
| fore my departure from the capital of
| this country to renew once more the
| sincere expression of my gratitude and
| thankfulness to the American govern
| ment and citizens for the welcome and
reception offered to me as representa-
/ tive OF my august master, the Emperor
| Of China.
Since the establishment of our
| treaty relations there have always
4 hapn rvF fa1 Il q g,n
| tween our two countries, but all these
| evidences l dare say have now been
eclipsed by the cordiality and warmth
| displayed Oy the American govern
/ ment and citizens in welcoming and re-
ceiving my special mission.
Though / regret that my time does
not allow me to take as long a sojOurn
in this country as / wish, in order TO
appreciate more fully the accomplish
ment and progress of the United States
of America as a nation, cannot help,
| during my brief visit here, to be struck
and impressed by the liberty and free
dom enjoyed by the people, by the well
fare and prosperity in their agricul-
tmal, industrial and commercial pur-
suits, by the characteristics of their
classical, historical, philosophical and
pOetical literature, by the manner of
4
and inventions for promoting the hap
piness of mankind, and by the display
of their artistic taste i'm the architec-
ture of public buildings, sculpture and
painting of the historical figures and
| facts which my old friend, Hon. John
w. Foster, has been kind enough to
show me. tue
II have only one word to add, that
the Hon. JnO. w. Foster, in his mani
fold abilities, has to me rendered most
valuable assistance in China's most
critical moment. America, whether as
| a government or as individuals is to
| China a friend in need, so she is to her
friend indeed Gentlemen, l propose
the toast to the friend of China-Hon.
Jno. w. Foster"
The dinner lasted probably an hour,
and after it was over the guests re-
manned another hour or more in social
conversation, Ii Hung Chang after
wards going to his room and retiring
for the night.
Tomorrow a reception to the heads
of the several government departments
and a visit to the Treasury Department
is talked of, while in the afternoon it
is the intention to take the Viceroy
to Mount Vernon where he will place
a wreath on the tomb of Washington.