New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-24
Ii HUNG CHANG'S VISIT.
DIsMAY AND SURPRISE AT THE INFOR-
MALITY OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
BELIEF IN WASHINGTON THAT THE PRESIDENT
SHOULD RETURN TO THE CAPITAL AND
RECEIVE THE DISTINGUISHED GUEST
IN STATE AT THE WHITE HOUSE


Washington, Aug. 23-The scant courtesy that
will evidently mark the Presidents reception OF
Ii Hung Chang, ano the announcement that
neither the White Hous. nor Governors lsland'
but a private residence. Is to be the place where
the distinguished Chinese statesman Will be well
coined to this country. have created the utmost
astonishment In official circles. The entire Ad-
rninistration is held responsible for the Presi-
dents disnclination to inconvenience himself py
returning to Washington and meeting Ii In the
White House. which is generally regarded as the
only proper place where he should receive the
important letter brought from the Emperor.
1t has been represented that the envoy comes
not in an official capacity, but merely as dis
tinguished visitor, and that for this reason the
President is not called upon to extend any un-
usual civilities but officials Of the State Depart
ment declare that while Ii Is not bearing creden-
tials from his Government. he is instructed by
the Emperor to lay before the President mes
sage which in itself constitutes him as an official
representative of the Chinese Empire. In view
of the DISTINGUISHED attention accorded him by
European governments, the meagre preparations
being made here will stand out in striking con-
trast and to no one more conspicuously than TO
Ii himself
II is said that even now Ii does not know that
the President will receive him at private house
in New-York. and that he fully expected to be
greeted the National Capital in the official resi-
dence of the President When he reaches New
York therefore, and hears that he must take a
carriage and ride to the home Of Mr. Whitney
and there meet the President. with possibly two
or three members II the Cabinet In attendance,
Ii will unquestonably be surprised. Whether
he will decide after that to visit Washington In
the absence Of the President. and with no one
here except some under-secretares OF the de-
partments to receive him. Is a subject about
which there Is some difference of opinion, but a
number Of diplomats firmly convinced that
the statesman will not like that kind of treat
ment and may decide &c go right through to van
couver. after a short visit to John Russell Young
at Philadelphia.
THE CHINESE LEGATION DUMFOUNDED.
The Chinese Legation, while taking little part
in the preparations of the programme. Is said to
have been utterly dumfounded at the Presidents
action in not returning to Washington and re-
ceivlng Ii In formal and official manner. as
Ministers to the United States from the smallest
South American ~epubc would be received.
The programme calls for the only reception by
the President to Ii at Mr.. Whitney's home. and
after that Mr. Cleveland is to return to Gray
Gables and leave the rest of the programme to
General Ruger and representative Of the State
Department
While no cause is assigned by the Adminlstra-
tion for It's remarkable action toward Ii Hung
Chang, It Is understood here that Mr. Cleveland
does not think that the Chinese statesman's
rank entities him 10 any unusual attention. and
that It does not behoove the President to re-
turn from his summer home and the fishing of
7 ch-
ington a formal greeting Mr.. Cleveland is said
to be inclined not to extend more than the most
ordinary civilties. and while the officials Of the
State Department have insisted that marked
attention should be shown him. there has not
been the slightest disposition on the part OF the
President to put himself out in any way TO
make a favorable impression on Ii
When the Chinese Legation first brought the
State DEPARTMENTS attention to the prospective
visit Of Ii, It was believed by all the under-ofti-
cials that the Government would receive him
I'm q way such as no other distinguished for
eigner has been received, with the exception
of the Infanta Eulalia, and that the White
House would be opened, a grand dinner given,
TO which members of the Diplomatic Corps
would be Invited. and every effort made to be-
STOW the utmost attention on Ii at the capital.
The excuse said to have been presented. that
the White House IL dismantled and In no cOndi-
tion to receive Ii. is without Justification and
at no time in the last week could II not have
teen placed in readiness within twenty-four
hours for any kind Of function 1t Is true
that the usual summer repairs have been going
on. and that the entire outside has been coated
with paint, but this was all completed week
ago. and the workmen have long since removed
their ladders and paint buckets. In fact. the
mansion is in finer condition for reception
than at any time for several years and looks
better and IS more presentable both outside and
inside than at any other period probably OF It's
existence.
Although Ii will be the Nations guest, the
amount of money that will be expended on him
cannot possibly amount to a very large sum-
Ii is TO be quartered In New-York at the eX-
pense of the Nation, and will be brought to
Washington, and from here taken to Canada
as the Nations guest and there turned over TO
the Canadian Government. which will trans
port him to Vancouver. The heaviest expense
OF all entailed probably will be that for the
transportation of several troops of the 9th Cav
airy from Fort Myer. just across the river from
washington. to New-York City. This post is
the only one in the East having cavalry. and as
It is not believed foot soldiers will make a suf-
fcient military display, the 9th is to be
sent on to help out.
AN IMPOSING NAVAL PAGEANT.
The naval pageant in New-York VIII unques-
tionably be the most spectacular part or the
programme and it is now expected there VIII
be the largest gathering of warships since the
great review three years ago. General Ruger'
stationed at Governors Island, while nominally
in charge Of all arrangements, will have little to
do with the programme outside OF It's military
features The whole Naval display Will be un-
der the sole direction or Admiral buhce con-
nardinq the station who so far, knows moth
ING of the part his fleet is to take except that
q must reach New-York harbor on Wednes-
day and hold Itself for instructions from the
Navy Department
No squadron that has ever been attached TO