New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-30
GUESTS OF THE NATION.
IL HUNG CHANGES NOTABLE PREDECES-
SORS AND THEIR RECEPTION.

SORS AND THEIR RECEPTION.
CURIOUS AND SHARPLY CONTRASTING SCENES
AT WASHINGTON AND NEw-YoRK-How THE
JAPANESE EMBASSY. THE PRINCE OF
WALES GRAND DUKE ALIENS AND
DOM PEDRO WERE ENTERTAINED.
Before any official sign had been made indicating
what treatment be accorded In the name OF
the Government OF the United States to the Chinese
visitor. Ii Hung Chang there was good deal Oh
more less finely tempered criticism Of President
Cleveland and his expressed design not to be at the
white House to receive the distinguished diplomat
and statesman OF the Far East. prominent naval
officer I'm discussing the issue with friend before
the fact remarked that he did not see any neces-
sy for much pren mary fuss and feathers TOT
the reason that II Hung Chang was nothing more
than Cabinet officer to make the most OF It, ana
that the President acting with perfect diScre-
ton in the matter. Yet all the time pending the
arrival OF the man who has habit OF asking close
questions the people thinking. Secretly they
did entertain a wish that the Chinese statesman
might not be permitted to depart without getting a
realizing sense Of Americas greatness. her aniueht
courtesy and her Astounding hospitality and the
President was numerically hauled over the CRATE
bars for not returning 10 Washington TO receive
the Nations guest.
With the reception so recent that the pages re-
cordng 1t are scarcely dry 1t may be interesting 10
take a backward glance at the conduct OF the
Government and the people on similar occasions III
the past Those who interested can read OF the
out pouring OF public spirit and gratitude Wheh the
immortal Lafayette visited this country in a per-
eectv peaceful IA shion In 1926 and how he was well
coined with booming cannon and the cheers OF the
multitude and told hang up his hat and make
himself perfectly at home. His reception was
memorable and still fingers in the memories OF
nf
thusiasm il produced all the country or all
the great men who have come 10 the United states
since none has been greeted with so sincere
and deeply felt welcome or with one sound
ing 80 dstinctively personal note OF love ana
gatitude But the position Of the eminent
Frenchman was unique. for lie occupied a
place in the hearts OF the whole people hardly
second to that of Washington himself. No instance
at present offers itself where A parsonage OF so
much importance has been received ny the fresl-
dent Of the United States elsewhere than IN the
White House. but Mr. cleveland is an iconoclast
when confronted with established precedents ana
possibly no surer way could he chosen to make him
lake 10 the woods than TO dwell with calm and
unperturbed insstence upon the dignhed hosp-
tality and regard for official etiquette displayed by
his predecessors I'm office.
THE JAPANESE EMBASSY'S VISIT.
II the reception Ii had been given in the Nhi'e
House II might have recalled TO the minds OF those
who were active thirty-siX years ago memorao'e
scene in the old mansion at Washington when
President buchanan visited by the Japanese
EMBASSY This body Of Oriental diplomatists pre-
coded the Prince Of Wales 10y only brief period,
and his reception was held Thursday. october T.
1850 4 correspondent of the time drew "A picture OF
the two functions which now might have had Il
repetition.
,Vi,hin \ few months" said the writer in Inc
Tribune the President has had the fortune to re-
vi highest
tho eytreme elements of Eastern mystery ana So
cusion and European vitality and vigor. 1t Is
curious 10 reconsider the contrast between 'ne
ceremonies and strange forms Of the orieh'al re-
ception and the loose. careless essentially pe'ho-
cratic manner Of the public recognition OF the
Prince Of Wales. In case the jealous pre-
,udices OF an acutely sensitive people had TO be
most carefully considered. and their national
usages I'm a measure conformed to In the other'
the best possible method to adopt was 10 avon al
.oromonious provision Of whatever kind for. since
4 general levee agreed upon II wouiu nave
been absurd interpose. on behalf OF VISITORS re-
strictions which are not recognized in the case OF
tho President himself. The conditions being SO
.bolIv different the results were. of course equally
49,, The r.ccptjon Of the ENJOYS from Japan was
surrounded with every form OF pomp ana ulsm'!.
III, ,rco, room AT the White House was throhged
with glittering uniform Z. Double INES 81 o'l'''H
If high rank the Army the one side the Navy
on
,,a.,f,g The President stood I'm the most promi-
r.,t nosition that the apartment afforded ana was
81 Grounded by a group OF members "i hls '"o''''
The interview was risdly precise Ihere were "u
dresses in Japanese. solemnly reiterated III pu.'"'
and again converted into English more OF ''SS
n,olker There were strange and unknown mani
fsttons Of reverence for In this scene the frrsi-
49,. . tho assured chief Of a wonderful nation.
i.,ore whom these gracious messengers from the
East did not dare 20 LIT their hehdS' ana pr
summed not 10 advance or withdraw without three
eenueexicns and many head-droopings OF mummy
There were marvellous eXtravagances OF AZURE
Goods Of silk and Grape. and puffy structures Ike
i, cushions rising from shaven heads and swords
,uro to a man-all shining with costly embellisi-
mon, There were the silent evidences or dcSlo''c
sway attendants grovelling uron their Knees ana
hending quite unconscious OF degradatloh' pe'o'e
tho mild alances Of their leaders There were rant
,rs diffus,cr ar atmosphere Of gentle IuXufr.
tvor,.thing told OF certain siateliness ana lris"
,,,o,,o n which the home OF the Presidents had
always been n stranger
Certainly here IS picture OF magnlhceh' posi-
hui,ies TO which the President or To-Day cahno'
,nrr ar unwinking eye. Compared to II the demon
ssra,ion for the Prince OF Wales. or Lord Renfew.
u.os q more domestic incident. the same room was
.overcrowded with a multitude representing every
,o,,, &, station manner and costume possible to
-, ,,,, oined Uniforms few Evening dress
u,e escbewed"' Yet in Canada nothing snort Vi
fullest uniform the most conV'ntiohal oi even
~ ,,,or, was admissible at the reception.
eroc,, or colored suit would have been as OUT o.
Mace as "a salmon gravel walk and TINS Is
. aoure culled from the treasures OF the past tha'
,h President Of to-day will comprehend. Inc
bronicler of that time was master OF detail anu
the President should read with interest As sulue
tor the future He omitted nothing for ne went Oh
, ,ho, "tbore were many fair ladies Of charms
,,,,,hered and many well-ookng men all eX-
client for 10 see There were likewise many ladies
without obvious charms. aud not fe" MIN the
uob,s of their countenanccs hid under bushei-
IKE bonnets. and some with black stockings ANA
,hero were plenty Of police in gray uniforms pres
. III, affair any emergency that might be dis