The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-24
A TRIPAnTITE INTERVIEW.
Three Famous Men Talk Together
the Day Before One Loses His
Throne.


Throne.
From the London Standard.
Shanghai, Oct. 4.-The visit of the Jap
anese statesman, the Marquis Ito, to TEX
ing, in the latter part of September, arous-
ed very general attention. Its precise mo-
tive was unknown, but it was believed
to have a political bearing of some con-
sequence.
The Marquis was received In audience by
the Emperor of China on Sept. 20. and on
the day following the coup detat of the
Empress Dowager was affected AT the
time, 1t was openly stated at Picking that
the Empress desired to prevent the sue
cess of the Japanese statesman's mission,
but it has never transpired whether the
two events-the audience and the virtual
deposition of the Emperor had any ac-
tual connection. The marquis Ito was ac
companied on his mission by the Japan
ese gentleman, Mr.. Ooka Ikuzo, who was
present at the audience and at all inn
portant functions which the marquis at
tended, and who has given to japan
newspaper a faithful transcript Of the
converse ton which took place at the inn
perial audience, and also at a dinner party
given by Ii Hung Chang to the distn
guished visitors from the neighboring en-
pire
The North China Herald reproduces Mr..
Ooka Ikuzos report in the folio wing
terms:
THE Marquis Ito was conducted 10
seat on the dais where the sovereign sat.
Prince Chings chair alone being placed
between the two. The japanese Charge
d'Affaires, Mr.. Hayashi, together with Mr..
Ooka Ikuzo and others. had seats on
somewhat lower level, but were not more
than three PAGES removed from the dais,
SO that they were able TO see the Emperor
distinctly and hear every word spoken.
The conversation that passed is thus re-
ported:
1.-THE Marquis Ito-I deeply appreciate
the honor your majesty gracioGsly does
me in granting me this audience, though
| am only travelling in private capacity.
May be permitted to say that the great
changes. which your majesty has inaugu-
rated in passing from the old 10 the new,
for the sake Of the empires progress and
Drosperity fiji me with respectful admira-
ton? They have a vital bearing on the
conservati ton of Oriental conditions, and 1t
will give my imperial master profound
pleasure TO learn about them from me on
my return TO my country. May your
majesty be long preserved to achieve these
noble aims.
."rhe Emperor-You have been long
known to me by reputation, marquis, and
/ can assure you that it affords me great
satisfaction to have this opportunity of
meeting you.
Marquis Ito-I thank your majesty
heartily FER such gracious words.
THE Emperor-When did you leave ia
pan, marquis2
MARQUIS Ito-AbOut month ago, your
majesty. l spent some ten days in Korea.
..The Emperor hope that you did not
meet with any mishaD on your travels?
''Narduis ItO-Thanks to your ma jestys
gracious projection, i nave made most
prosperous voyage.
1.-THE Emperor trust that you left the
Emperor in good health?
"Marauis Ito-When / had the honor Of
bidding his majesty farewell, before set
ting out. ne was in excellent health.
saThe Emperor-The administration Of
vour country's affairs marquis, since The
restoration. has evoked the admiration OF
an nations. and that great part that you
have taken In Il Is universally applsuded.
MARQUIS Ito-I do moi deserve such gra-
eious approval All that I did was to be-
come the repository Of my imperial mas
ter's plans. and 10 carry them out In ac-
cordance with my official duty"
IA this point the Emperor had a whis-
pered conversation with one Of the officials
in waiting.
'srhe Emperor-Your country marquis.
and ours form part Of the same continent.
and stand to each other in the closest re-
lations Of friendship and propinquity. The
necessity of reform presses urgently upon
this nation at the present juncture, and
am very DESTROYS Of hearing your views
on the subject j trust that you will fur
Their my wishes BIZ making TO the Presi-
dent Of the Tsnng-li- Wang a full
statement Of your ideas about the proper
procedure and processes OF reform.
Marquis Ito--I shall have the honor u
complying with your maJegiys directions.
n your majestya ministers address 20 me
any questions, / viii venture 40 submit
90 them nay views 10 80 far ~ they may
be OF any service 10 your m8jeatys en-
plre.
The Emperor-I desire nothing more
earnestly than that Unanimlty Of aenti-
mont and community Of effort may long
continue 20 mark the intercourse between
our two countries.
Marquis lfO-i venture with 40 humill-
Say ~ recipf0cefe your majesty gracious
desire and to express ihe conviction fhaf
b VIII certainly b. widely sbsre6 81 fhe
peoplsa Of che two euDifeS ana reaeote1
IN f3e daily inereaalue ffiendablp of their
intefeoprsf.