The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-07-09

Considerable surprise is felt in diplo-
matte circles here owing TO information
Just received from China to the effect that
the recently appointed minister TO tins
country, WI Ting Fang, is about To be
recalled and that be will be replaced by
Lee King Ie.
MIR. Fang goes TO Toxic. Whether this is
a nromotion for him or not is a question
not fully settled. He will succeed hu
Kong at the Toxic post. 1t seems that
the Chinese government was conducting
an investigation for some time OF the
career at .,,in srer Kong at 1oKio aud
his recall followed.
Friends of Mr.. Fang assert that in view
of the recent struggle between Japan and
China the Toxic mission has risen ia inn
1lorLanca an oACecos THAT ol TIE
United States, and that it was the desire
OF the government to promote Mr.. Fang,
as he was the most availahle man for the
place. On the other hand, his enemies
say that as TOXIC is a mission Of the third
class ana the one to this country is one
oi ,is., ..pga cIas. Tle SuanAe 10 Bpt Colii-
plimentary.
1t is also reported that Ii Hung Chang
himself has had hand IN the transfer. Prior
10 the visit of the great prime minister To
this country the minister here had full say
on dealings with this country. Since that
time Ii himself has taken an active interest
in American relations with China. ms As
given as the reason why Lee King fe willbc
the new minister, because the latter is at
present chief clerk of foreign affairs, and
comes directly under Ii Hung Chang him
self
The new minister is atout fifty years OF
age. He has been connected with the Ju-
dietary and with the diplomatic corps OF
China all his life. He has been II 40 Tai,
or chief magistrate OF Ching kiang and was
occupying this position when he was called
TO Peking two months ago by the Emperor to
20 in nuHsu ufrIc. OF lorelgn affairs. uriS re-
puted to be man of great ability and busi-
ness capacity. Itis expected that he wilire-
main longer at this post than the presentmin-
lister, who has been here only two months,
Eight months ago the minister here w as
transferred to St Petersburg, but Mr..
Fang did not arrive until six months later
Mr. Fang is unpopular with a powerful
class IN emma. fttsl EVEN iis own
mes are reputed 10 be against him. Soon
after his arrival in Washington he an
nounced that ne proposed TO entertain
largely during the coming season. ana
that the present quarters on Fourteenth
street were not suited To his purposes He,
Therefore proposed 10 move to the Scnnel-
der mansion, which was to Toe elabOrltely
.cfirted for him, aud the improvements are
BOW under way.
II has developed, however. that differ
ences arose betwesn Mr.. Fang and Afr. Cy-
rus Mantz. agent for the present honc OF
the Legation. 1t is said that Nj. Mautz,
finding the premises in badly dam iEed
condition. presented a bin 10 Mr.. Fang
covering the estimated cost of repairing,
which the minister refused 10 pay. Litiga-
ton will possibly follow.
Minister Fang will probably remain In
this country until the arrival in Washing
ton OF Chang Yung Hoon, the Chinese am
bassadOr eNtTaUr binary to the Queens Ju-
b.lee. on lis return 10 China Mr.. HOon viii
remain here a week OF ten days