The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-05


Copyright 1895. by tho Associated Press,
Il SHANGHAI, Sept. 4.-There urc re-
ports In circulation. hero among the peo-;
pie OF the highest authority, which, II
correct, show that the travels OF Ii Hung
Chang in Europe are likely to have
In the Immediate future a moet impor-.
tant effect upon the policy OF the Chi
ncse government, and that the interior
OF the Chinese empire will soon be
thrown open to free trade.
When the great Chinese statesman was
in England, an official attached to his
star said TINT the main object of the
.viceroys tour was 10 sound the Euro
pean governments regarding an increase
in the customs tariff OF China. He add
ed that Il was understood that Russia,
Germany md Franco were favorable to
the increase but that the marquis OF
Salisbury wanted time to consider the
matter and that he had brought for
ward several counter propositions. What
the proposals OF Lord Salisbury were is
n question probably known to but few
people. on the other hand. It Is as
serted here, by, people In a position to
have acccrnteH Information regarding
4 the policy OF the Chinese government,
that the latter Is inclined tofaccede to
the conditions set forth by Lord Sails
bury, and that. Us q preliminary agree
mcnt. there will be an Increase In the
tariff. all transit dues In: the Interior OF
China Will be abolished and that later on
free ,trRde will be established throughout
the Chinese empire. n;
giS The preliminary Increase In the tariff
Is looked upon as being necessary. as q
loan must be secured In some manner,
and the customs dues are regarded as
being the best security possible under
Z the circumstances, Il ssts ~ y 2
tits also intimated that IL Great Brit
ain advances the money required by Chi-
ma, the latter as a sort Of bonus, Will
place orders for a number Of battleshlps.
cruisers and torpedo boats OF various
descriptions, In British ship yards, and
further, British officers will be detailed
to reorganlze the Chinese army. It was
at first proposed to entrust this task to
German officers, but II Is believed that
Ii Hung Chang, while In Germany, was
not successful In driving the bargains
which he contemplated. I. I;
or course. this IS a decidedly English
view OF the case and may be modified by
future events, for. q great deal depends
still upon the further action Of LII Hung
Chang when he returns to China and
the nature OF the report he will furnish
for the decision OF the emperor. sSiJ a 8
Finally, II IS understood that the. Chi
nese government has practically decided
to take steps at an early date to make n
considerable extension OF the railroads
of the empire. and "a foreign railway
board. organized on the basis Of the
foreign customs commission. may be en-
trusted with this task. The emperor OF
China Is known to be favorably dis
posed towards the extension of the rail-
road service in China, and with FREQ
trade, the adjustment OF all transit
dues and an improved system OF rail-
roads, the travels OF Ii Hung Chang
may be the means Of awakening China
into new life and prosperity, and open
to the commerce Of the world, markets
which have hitherto been uselessly
closed. ,..iaa5f 3isz!f 52aSssi t.ls