Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-29
Ii HUNG'S STATUS.
CNXaehin~ton Star1

ii HUNG'S STATUS.
Washington Starr
There Is no longer any question in Off
cial circles as TO the status Of Earl Ii
Hung Chang. Inasmuch as he is the
bearer OF q personal letter from the En-
peror Of China TO the President Of the
United States he will be received as an
ambassador and treated as a guest OF the
nation lie was so recognized and treated
I'm an Of the capitals OF Europe which he
visited on a similar mission. He is In
no sense a tourist. merely passing through
the country in private capacity.
HIS RETINUE.
The retinue Of Ii Hung Chang consists
Of secretaries. including Lord Ii, who
during Ii Hung Changs absence in Japan
when he was negotiating the peace treaty
after the late war. acted as the Prime
Minister Of China; LORD 10 Feng Lu, and
Viscount ii. the son OF Ii Hung Chang
both OF whom, with Lord Ii. are at the
head Of the Ambassadors suite: three
young men. Lin and Lien (who speak
French. and You; two doctors, ono a
Scotchman. and the other, Dr. Max, a
native Chinaman. educated in Europe;
six or seven attaches, young men who are
students of diplomacy and are in line for
promotion. and about twenty servants,
including Wallets, the two cooks, and
several military attendants. There should
also be added 20 this list. while ii Hung
Chang is in this country, the name or
Edward Il. Drew who ranks with the
first four Of the suite.
NOT so LARGE AS REPORTED.
The retinue thus consists of about
thirty-five persons. 1t has been reported
as consisting OF about fifty. This may
have arisen from the fact that the Am
bassador did have nearly fifty originaliy'
but sent some twelve or fifteen OF them
home from Paris. as he found his suite
rather cumbersome one to carry about
and really larger than was neediuL
Among other entertainments that have
been arranged I'm honor Of Ii Hung
Chang during his stay in New York will
be a dinner at the Waldorf to-morro"
evening. which was rendered TO him seve-
raj weeks ago and accepted by caoie'
The hosts Of the occasion will be Amerl-
cans who were once residents of emma.
About sixty persons will sit down 10
the banquet including the officials OF the
Envoy's suite. Among the invited guests
are Generals Miles and Ruger OF the
United States army and First Assistant
Secretary Of State Rockhiil.
ANECDOTE OF LADY II.
In 1879 Lady Ii. the wife OF Ii Hung
Chang. at present our nations guest,
was dangerously III. The treatment re-
quired was such as could not with chi
nese ideas Of propriety be performed by
one Of the opposite sex. SO DR.. Leonora
Howard. missionary Of the Woman
Society OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church. was called 20 take charge Of the
case. and she was carried with all posi-
ble haste to Tien Tsin by the Prime
Minister'S own boat For a month she
resided in the palace as physician and
guest, no restriction being placed upon
her Christian work. When she returned
to Peklng the cure was complete and
DR.. Howard was Lady LIS acknowledged
friend The gratitude Of herself and hus-
band was evinced I'm generous contribu-
tions 10 free dispensaries and hospital
wards for women. Later Dr. Howard at
tended LIS aged mother. who died and
left 81 .00o 10 Dr.. Howard's work. This
was the first bequest Of a Chinese woman
to Christian benevolence. Said the Earl
recently: of Christianity ever prevails in
China. your doctors more especially your
woman doctors. must open the hearts Of
the people"