The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-02
A DAY WITH LII HUNG CHANG.
He Puts Many Questions and Makes
Mr.. Maxim show Off His Gun.
London Daily News.

London Daily News.
Growing tired of the panorama of
wharves and shipping. his EXcellency be-
came possessed with the desire to interview
many who stood around. In the first place
he summoned Arthur Martindale before
him, and learning that that gentleman had
recently returned from India, sought his
views on the silver problem. But Mr.. Mar
tindale was only more reserved on the sub
ject than were the directors of the Bank
of England the other day. The ambassador
assured him that the problem was a seri-
Gus one, in which Japan, CHINA ana lndia
were greatly interested. inquiries followed
as to the status of Indian princes and the
amount of Mr.. Martindale's income.
Presently the steamer entered the VIC.
toria and Albert docks, and a great deal of
shipping was passed in review; While ne
was talking to Arthur F. Hills, of the
Thames Iron Works Company. a japanese
vessel. the Full, was passed; or ON M
She cost?" inquired Ii Hung Chang.
&c 600 without are there
Japanese on board?' There is an lnspec,
tor from Japan, but the men are English
Other vessels came in sight, and Lii noticed
that some were profusely hung with bunt-
They are in honor of your Excellency's
visit said Mr.. Hills. But why aren't
they all decorated?' I'm afraid they uid
not all know you were coming" At this
point the questioner changed the subject;
Il suppose you are a millionaire, Mr.. Hills?'
no. indeed" returned that gentleman,
R R0fhstbiids?5 but ny So9 are aT FhtHe they come
first and you come second?' Il am afraid
not -
Having had his attention drawn to the
fact that journalists some times interview
people it occurred to his Excellency that 1T
would be very funny to interview 2 Jour-
nalist. Mr.. Lo Feng Luh soon found one,
and presented him to the wearer Of the
yellow jacket. How old are you?" was
the first inquiry. "~Thirty-eight," responded
the Journalist. What is the amount of
your salary?' six hundred a year. Con
sidering the remuneration usually paid to
journalists, that is a good salary, isn't it?'
Some receive more and others less. was
liant writer?' The journalist hesitated, and
then boldly replied in the affirmative. Are
these docks really very tiRew asked Gns the he
deed" said the journalist. That is your
real opinion % persisted Ii Hung Chang.
The journalist assured him that it was,
and then, taking advantage of a pause, put
in a question on his own account. What
do you think of London" said he. Ii re-
city. And what did your Excellency think
of the Queen ?'' II admire your Queen very
much" responded the ambassador, she is
very gracious"
on landing at Old Firth pier Ii Hung
Chang was received by Hiram S. Maxim
and driven to Firth. On the way the en-
bassador insisted upon discussing the rela-
ton of science to religion. Arriving at the
Ammunition Company Lii was put to bed
in a draughtsman's room. When he awoke
luncheon was served, and Ii Hung Chang,
refreshed from his slumberS, resumed his
course of interviews. Having addressed
some inquiries to the Hon. Lionel Roths-
Cn1lQ, ne asked MIS-. Maxim now ola she
was, and whether she believed in the eff
cacy of prayer Afterward the party was
driven to the company's Eynesford Range,
where there was an interesting demonstra-
ton of the powers of quick-hring guns. Re-
markable results were shown at a range
of one thousand yards. After some slow
practice Lii Hung Chang observed that.the
guns were not being fired with sufficient
q~uickness. In a few minutes there was a
demonstration of quick firing which seemed
to astound him. The air was full of shots;
the reports merged into one sustained roar,
and the sky was obscured' by smoke.
During the firing of the guns it was ex-
planned to Ii Hung Chang tina no soldiers
could withstand such a rain of bullets, but
Ii suggested that the enemy could hide
or lie down in a ditch and wait until the
belt of 210 bullets had been fired before
advancing upon the guns; nor was his OBJ
lection silenced when it was explained that
in ten seconds another belt of $50 could be
placed in the gun. Turning to Admiral
pensive firing" Admiral Tracey: Yes,
for the enemy Lii: And for ammuni-
ton also. How many can be fired in a
ninute. Mr.. Maxim; " Two hundred and
fifty" "The Viceroy does not believe il
possible" said Tseng. Mr.. Maxim: II will
nearest Maxim and ratified off a belt. while
Ii, taking a gold watch from his pocket,
asked with what shot the first field gun was
loaded. Were they shells? No reply was
given, probably because the question was
not heard. One of the directors said: I'VE
will now fire a naval gun for quiekness.,
But Tseng said sharp y. Answer my ques-
ton first" Ii was then told that they were
common SHELLS, whereupon he asked to see
one full and one empty. and made minute
inouiries as to the composition of the eSei
and the cost of each. When told the weight
of a gun was what a horse could carry. he
replied: "A horse could not take such a
weight along" After the firing of one gun
to show the ~quickness of the delivery, the
Envoy said: THAT is too rapid for a
Chinese man." When the programme had
been gone through Ii was carried to the
dummy men targets, and. to his great
surprise. saw that they We're ridd ed with
bullets. Before leaving she ground he
thanked the directors earnestly for what
- han shnMn 70 him