The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-05
The Latter's Services Warmly Praised
IN an After-Dinner Speech by the
Celestial State'Jnlan.
HIS EXCELLENCY PLEASED
WITH WHAT HE HAS SEEN IN THE
UNITED STATES.
The Capitol Inspected Yesterday, and
Pointed Questions Put to Lii
brarian Spofford.


was entertained at dinner tonight by ex
Secretary of State John w. Foster, the
guests including three members of the Cab
met. the commanding general of the army
and several other notables in official life.
The dinner was given at the Arlington
Hotel, three large parlors being used for
the occasion. The decorations were of the
most elaborate character, the long table
showing great clusters of American Beauty
roses, yellow asters, Chinese asters, golden
rod and ferns, thus combining the char
acteristic colors of the two countries The
United States Marine Band was stationed
in one of the parlors, and through the in
genuity of conductor Fancuilli played Chi
nese as we'll as American airs while .the
dinner proceeded.
The full list of guests was as follows:
Earl Ii Hung Chang, his ENcellency Ii
Ching Tong, Secretary Lo Feng Luh, Ii
Ching Lou, the viceroy's second son; DR..
Irwin, medical attendant; DR.. Max medi-
cal attendant; his Excellency Yang Yu,
Senior Romero, Mexican minister in WASH
ington; Secretary Carlisle, Secretary La
mont, Secretary Francis Justice Harlan,
Governor Lowndes, of Maryland General
Miles, General Kruger, Assistant Secretary
Rockhill, Mr.. E. B. Drew, commissioner of
Chinese customs; General ]. II. Wilson and
DIR. j. w Johnston.
When dinner was announced Lii Hung
Chang was escorted on the arm of General
Foster to the post of honor To the right
of the Earl sat Secretary Carlisle and to
his left Justice Harlan, of the Supreme
Court. On Mr.. Fosters right sat the Chi
nese minister Mr.. Yang Yu, and on his left
Minister Romero of Mexico. The menu
was simple but elegant, lacking, however,
any dishes of distinct Chinese character.
1t was prepared by the American cooks.
The distinguished guest had taken his din
ner before the event of the evening and
partook but very sparingly of what was
before him and merely touched the cham
payne to his lips.
AT the conclusion Of the dinner Mr.. Fos-
ter made 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 resumption of his
long journey across the continent and over
the great ocean the company heartily
joined in wishing him a safe journey and
h continued life of usefulness to his coun-
try and the whole world.
SPEECH BY THE GUEST.
The Viceroy responded as folloWS:
I'm acknowledging the hospitality ex-
tended to me by my old friend, the Hon.
John W. Foster, / have to thank him for
affording me opportunity before my de-
parture from the capital of this country to
renew, once more. the sincere expression of
my gratitude and thankfulness to the
American government and citizens for the
welcome and reception offered to me as
representative of my august master, the
Emperor of China and the personificauon
of the Chinese empire.
'.Since the establishment or our treaty re-
lations there have always been evidences of
good fellowship between our two countries,
but all these evidences L care say, nave
warmth displayed by the American govern
ment and citizens in welcoming and receIv-
ing my special mission
Though I regret that my time does not
allow me to make a longer Sojourn in this
country as / wish in order to appreciate
more fully the accomplishment and prog
ress of the United States of America as a
nation, l cannot help, during my brief visit
liberty and freedom enjoyed by the people;
by the welfare and prosperity in their agrl-
suits, by the characteristics of their classi,
CAL historical philosophical and poetical
literature, by the manner OF ap-
and inventions for promoting the
happiness of mankind. and by the
lecture of the public buildings, sculpture
and painting of historical figures and facts
which my old friend. Hon. John w F0ster
has been kind enough to show me. These
impressions / will carry home, not only as
approximations to my store OF knowledge or
but as the means of enlightening the mil
lions I represent, facilitating the lntroduc-
ton of these very means and ends OF civil
zation into China and amaigarnaung the
oldest civilization of the far East with the
most modern one of the extreme West
II have only one word to add, that the
Hon. John w. Foster in his manifold abili-
ties has to me rendered most valuable as
sistance in Ctlina's most critical moment.
America, whether as a government or as
individuals, is to China a friend in need,
so she is to her a friend indeed. So. gen.
China-Hon. John w. Foster
The dinner lasted probably an hour. and
after it was over the guests remained an
other hour or more in SOCIAL conversation,
Ii Hung Chang afterwards going to his
room and retiring for the night.
Ii SEES THE SIGHTS.
Before the sun rose this morning Ii
Hung Chang had arisen and was MAX
ing ready for a day of Sightseeing
The arrangement of the programme had
been left by General Kruger entirely in the
hands of Ii Hung Chang himself, and while
points of interest that it was thought he
might be pleased to see We're suggested to
him no attempt was made to urge his
fancy. After some discussion among the
suite the Chinese ambassador decided to go
first to the Capitol. He was accompanied
by ex-Secretary of State Foster. Ii Hung
Chang'S party remained at the Capitol less
than an hour. The distinguished visitor
was conducted to the quarters of the
sergeant-at- arms, where he was presented
to Richard J. Bright, sergeant-a t-arnls.
From this point he was escorted in sue
cession to the marble room, the Presidents
room, the Senate chamber. the Supreme
Court quarters, the rotunda, the congress
sional library and the hail of the House of
Representa- ves. Little time was given to
any of these halls and when he rested fer
Il few minutes he demanded to be taken
to his carriage, in order not to be late at
an engag cement with the Chinese minister
Ex-Secretarv Foster made an effort 10
prevail upon Ii to visit the new library
building, telling him that it was the finest
building III the city. rs It fniShed?" Lii
asked, and when told that it was not, he
declined to make the inspection. He APP
peared TO take more interest in Librarian
Spofford than in his books, and spent very
little time in the library. Mr. Spofford.
when presented to Ii, said that while the
library contained 750. 600 books there were
only about SEQ Chinese works on its shelves
..How cid are your" he asked Mr.. Spot
ford, and upon being told the librarians
age. he said: You have many books in
your head.
More out of it," responded Mr.. Spofford
to which the Chinese dignitary replied with
a deprecatory gesture which required no
Interpretation.
Earl Ii gave a great deal OF attention to
the paintings of Washington. He expressed
a desire to ascend the Washington monu-
nlent, asking If the air was good and il
there was an elevator. Ii wore his famous