The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-20

London. Nov. 1a.-Liu-K'un-Yi is
the vlceroy of Marking and
n of the most powerful and
important men in China. He is the
leader Of the faction tina opposes II
Hung Chang. and may be regarded as
the principal rival OF the great vice.
roy.
Liu-K'un-Yi has under his supreme
command the governors Of three prov
inces and various generals. brigadier
generals and admirals who are at
tached to the provinces which he con-
trolls. Liu-K'un-Yi Is still comparative
ly a young man. being seven years
younger than Ii Hung Chang. The
Chinese army possesses two forces
which really retain some lighting ca
pacity. These are the Hwal braves and
the Hu Nan braves. The former are
GRIZZLY under the influence of Ii Hung
Chang's party. while the latter ac-
knowledge Liu-K'un-Y vi as their leader.
II was during the TAPPING rebellion
that Liu-K'un-Yi first made his mark
and attracted attention as an able man.
In 1855 he was made governor Of Kiang
81 at the early age of "a.
In 1876 he acted for "A few months at
his present post. but the following win
ter he assumed charge as governor
general of Canton. where he remained
until 1850. While at Canton he was d.
rected to tnke over the Hoppo's duty
for six months. When the same Hop
DO subsequently arrested the son of a
well-known British protege, kwok-a-
Cheong of Hong kong, and fixed the
ransom at Zoe. 900 dolls. Liu-k'un-Yi
promptly interfered and the Hoppe had
10 disgorge his prey. Being himself an
opium smoker, he was directed by the
emperor TO report III IL was true that
his colleague. the grand examiner.
smoked"
Liu-K'un-Yrs sagacious reply was:
What goes on in the recesses of the
examiners yamen ! cannot say, Tor
examiners are by law obliged to keep
secluded: but ] notice h a he has a
fat. rubicurd face. not at all like that
usually associated with opium smok-
ere" In 1881 he became governor gen.
eral at Marking. He soon retired, how
ever, I'm semi-disgrace. partly In conse-
quence OF his opium smoking habits.
He never made any secret OF his fond
ness for opium: he a acquired the
habit during his campaigns when he
was suffering from rheumatism. After
his retirement from the -governorship OF
Marking he we'd In seclusion. amusing
himself with the study OF botany and
kindred pursuits.
IN 1881 the tulBtFoT. nttuluk n ttartNI
for the restless Hu Nan men. recalled
Liu-K'un-Yi to power. During the
war with Japan he was ordered to as
sumo supreme m Personally
he was never defeated. However. the
war was practically over when he got
20 Manchuria. and his chief duty lay
In preventing population while h
treaty of peace was being concluded.
The viceroy OF Marking Is described
as being as sly and crafty a Chinaman
as can be found. but for all this he Is
said to be an honest and truthful man.
He lies because he Is surrounded by
liars and because u IL the only course
he can pursue. But he prefers the
truth, and will tell IL when he Is deal
ing with honest men. Ie will cheat TO
advance his province. but his personal
honest Is absolute. n he has a SUI
preme contempt for money as gain.
Although a frail and delicate man. he
is quite fearless. He Is a man of the
people, speaks a rustic 1argon. Is care
less about his person. has dirty nails
and black teeth. But he is n kind and
considerable master. The soldiers are de-
voted to him. won by the simplicity
n sincerity of his nner lie
writes with great vigor and directness.
and has used his skill with his pen In
his own behalf when occasion demand
I'd. His one great sorrow is that he is
childless. He il at present At the bot
tom of the passive resistance to reform
he does not object TO reform. but he
does not wish to see China forced 10
pursue a policy by outside pressure
TO which she Is slowly but surely turn
ing herself.