The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-08-13
III DOES THE INTERVIEWING
China's Statesman Curious About
His American Tour.

Copyrighted, 1896. by Associated Press)
London, Aug. 9.-By special appoint
ment, representative of the Associated
Press was this morning accorded an in
tervew with Iii Hung Chang England's
guest of honor, this month. The hour set
for the interview was $50 in the morn
ing. an indication that the Chinese
statesman is not given to late hours.
Early as the hour was, there was, never
theless, several persons in waiting to
see the ambassador of the emperor of
China.
The attendants, were, however. in
structed as to the prior appointment of
the representative of the Associated
Press. and he was selected from num-
ber of applicants on all possible errands,
and shown into Ii Hung Changs pres
ence In the private parlor, which is the
ground floor morning room in Lord Ions
dale's mansion in Carleton House Ier-
race. a group of servants stood before
the door through which the newspaper
man was conducted by Visoonnt Ii, the
statesman's son, and who acts as his in
terpreter.
Ii Hung Chang rose and bowed with
formal courtesy, as his visitor entered,
and then shook hands, after which ne
motioned to a seat opposite his own
| He then relapsed into the impassive-
| ness of a bronze idol. His voice is low
in pitch, but of sonorous quality, and he
| speaks with those strong infections so
| characteristic of the Chinese tongue.
| Lii Hung Chang has submitted to inter-
| views a number of times before his ar
| rival In England and has seized that
| rather formidable institution of western
| civilization with a firm grasp to direct
| it rather than to be controlled by It,
| The method employed by the astute
Oriental diplomat in his interviews with
| newspapers. is to ask and not answer
questions. The Associated Press repre-
sentative foud himself besought for In
formation as to the arrangements fol
the coming transit of Ii through th'
United States, before opportunity wal
| given to put a query.
Ii was very eager regarding the pro
gram for his tour of the United State
and the American arrangements h
asked If Philadelphia was much out 0
the way on the railroad route from Ne'
York to Washington. At this point, tn
Chinese dignitary ciapped his hands I
call a servant. in the Oriental fashion
The servant, clad in his native garb. er
tered and bowed low and retired. and the
J returned with tea in a covered cup
: exquisite and delicate porcelain. Viii
this was being partaken of by his Gale
Ii Hung Chang asked about the specii
train on the Pennsylvania railroad. whie
Is to be provided for him. and wheth
it would carry him direct to Nancouy,
q without change. He was informed TN
= probably it would.
Ii explained that the Hon. John Ru
sell Young had written to him, askii
him to lunch in Philadelphia, at whi'
D he promised that all of Ii Hung Chang
old friends should be present. Ii fir
Ia met Young when the latter accompan
General Grant on his tour around {
, world, and afterwards when he becar
United States minister TO China, und
President Arthur.
Ii asked II Young held such a positi
'o among Americans as to lead them to 4
low his arrangements. Being assured
d to this. he asked cordially after I
sr health of Young and Of General Jam
. II. Wilson and DR.. Wharton Bark
'u whom he mad seen In China.
The Associated Press representative 81
the greatest regret was felt among Am
leans that Ii Hung Chang would be vi
~ BILE 10 see enough of the United Sta
to obtain u knswlsdgs Of the count