The times., 1898-08-18
THE CHINESE ISSUE.
Ambassador WI Discusses the
Eastern Political Situation.
RECALL OF SIR MCDONALD
Ii Hung Chang Is Said TO Have Com
sfdered the PrOpriety of Demand
ssnR That the English Ambassador
.ge Withdrawn From Pel1in-Dip-
iomatic Circles Deeply Interested.

Diplomatic circles here are manifesting
profound interest in the possible rupture
between the Russian and British govern
ments, as result OF their trade ambi-
uons in the Chinese empire, and no one
is watching the situation more closely
that Ambassador w. the envoy of the
Chinese government TO America, and
Count Cassini, the rece atly accredited
Russian ambassador.
Count Cassini enjoys the reputation Of
being one of the leading diplomats of
Europe. Since his arrival in America he
has spent the greater part of MS time
at Newport, and his views of the situa-
tion are not generally known here. He is
deeply concerned with the trend of inter
national politics in the Orient. This is
natural, since he is the representative of
one OF the contending nations, but his
interest in Chinese affairs is keener for
the reason that he was for years the
envoy of Russia to Pekin, having been
but recently transferred from that capi-
tai to Washington.
Ambassador Wu. likewise, is an eager
student of international politics. and espe-
oiaily so when his own government is
involved He is quite as well informed of
the current of events in the east as Count
Cassini and perhaps, better than most
any other member of the diplomatic corps
here.
He had been spending a few days al At
Iantic City when the news of the Russo
Chinese affair was cabled TO America, and
he Immediately returned TO Washington.
Secretary Chung is at present in China,
and he is keeping the ambassador well
informed of the progress of events at Pc
kin.
The ambassador speaks English fluent
ly. and discussed the newspaper reports
cutie freely with reporter for The Times
last night His impressions Of the situa-
sion are prolific but he declined 10 au-
thorize the publication of many, for the
reason that he had NOT much official
information upon which 10 base them.
He admitted that he had taken deep
interest in the rumors from London reIa-
tive to the alleged intention of the Sails
bury government to demand the deposit
tioa of Ii Hung Chang, the Chinese
Grand Secretary, but would not discuss
the possible attitude of China because
the stories lack official confirmation"
He inferred, however, that If such a de-
Enand were made and England attempted
10 make a bold seizure Of Chinese terri
tory. the question would resolve itself
into one OF might, and the strongest side
would win.
Ambassador wu does not think that Ii
Hung Chang would deliberately offend
Great Britain. and therefore doubts that
there is any truth in the reports that
Russia was favored while England was
rebuffed.
Iii" he said, lis one of the most pro-
gressive men in the empire. He has
travelled extensively and is thoroughly i'm
bued with the aims and purposes of the
progressive nations of the West He has
always. as far back as ] can remember,
shown great consideration for English
men. and probably took a greater inter
est in and appreciated more highly Chi
nese' Gordon than any other man in the
empire II has been said that Ii did not
keep his promise with the British ambas-
sadOr 10 Pekin. 1 am inclined to doubt
this
Ambassador WI intimated that there
had recently been some trouble between
the British ambassador and Ii Hung
Chang, which came very near deciding
the Chinese grand secretary 10 hand the
former his passports. The British repre-
sentative Sir Claude Mcdonald. has been
at Pezin several years and displayed con-
siderable energy in trying 10 offset the al
legged advantages gained by the Russians
as a result of the superior diplomacy and
tact OF Count Cassini the former Russian
ambassador TO the Chinese court
On the occasion of recent audience with
Ii Hung Chang the English diplomat,
cording to Ambassador WI, lost his tenn
per and gave offense TO the aged secre,a-
~. who seriously considered. il Us said
the propriety of terming Sir Claude perso-
ma non grata and demanding his recall
II is thought by some diplomats here
that the story of England's demand for
the deposition OF Ii Hung Chang emanat-
ed from the British embassy at Pekin.
Ambassador WI states that Ii Hung
Chang was appointed grand secretary by
the emperor of China, and that the term
Of Office IS indefinite. He could only be
deposed by the emperor himself and IL IS
doubtful If he would do such a thing
in view of the favor in which he is now
held by his sovereign. Any demand made
along these lines by the Salisbury govern
ment would, therefore, most likely be re-
fused.