The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-24

your government to recognize such action and
tributes of respect, rendered in the manner
above indicated
The formalities, we should like to observe,
should we receive a favorable reply, would
be to have our organization and its action
fully authenticated and approved officially by
the state and national officers of our military
order, the governor of the state of Minnesota,
and the president of the United States, and
to forward the documents through the Depart
ment of state to his exalted and imperial
majesty the emperor of your country, and
there to be by his order conferred and con-
frmed upon Earl Ii Hung Chang by our
respectful request as an organization of vet
eran soldiers and sailors Of the republic Of
the United States
If this formality cannot be observed. kindly
indicate to us the proper course to be pursued
in concentrating our desire. Respectfully.
your obedient servant,
E. H. Wood,
Adjut&nt Gettysburg Post 14S, Department
of Minnesota, Grand Army Of the Republic.
The reply from the Chinese minister
is as follows: .---
Jan. g. 1S97-Hon. Edward H. Wood, ADJ
jutant Of Gettysburg Post Nc. 148.-Dear Sir
l have the pleasure to refer to your esteemed
note of Sept. 29, 1896, in which you state in
substance that desiring to extend to Ills i'm
perial majesty, the emperor Of China the
highest Difference and respect by a due ap-
probation OF the repreSen tative acts CT his
majestys special ambassador, Earl Ii Hung
Chang, so justly esteemed by the people of
the United States, to be pre-eminent d
counselor, statesman and brave military
cheftain of his exalted majesty's govern
ment, your distinguished organization Pro-
poses to present his eXcellency an address Of
appreciation and esteem, and to confer upon
the earl honorary membership of Gettysburg
Post 148. of which you are the distinguished
representative; that if it would be consistent
with the customs and rule Of my govern
ment to recognize such action and tribute Of
respect rendered in the manner above indi-
Gated, the formalities to be observed to have
your organization and its action fully au-
thenticated and approved officially by the
state and national officers of the military or
der. the governor of the state of Minnesota
and the president of the United States and to
ment of state to his imperial majesty, the
emperor Of China. and there be by his order
conferred and confirmed upon Earl Lii.
In reply have the honor to state that
copy and translation Of your note were duly
transmitted by me to his excellency Earl
Lii, whose reply has just come tc hand. 1t
expresses the profound ana grateful apprecia-
tion felt by the earl Of the friendly senti-
ments entertained by your organization and
the great honor which it proposes to show
his eXceIlency by comforting upon him hon.
orary membership in your post, which his
excellency will deem it a distinguished priv
uege and honor to accept. 1t further observes
that the customs of our CounJry being some
what different from those Of Western nations
il is the opinion of the earl that the most
the necessary documents forwarded 10 him d.
rect, through the usual channels, instead OF
through his imperial majesty, provided this
course is not inconsistent with the rules OF
your organization.
The above is the substance Of the earl's
reply, which it is my duty and pleasure to
communicate to you for the information Of
yourself and your distinguished organization.
| have tie honor to be, sir, very respect
fully, -Tangyu.