The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-03
THE TSUNG-LI-YAMEN.
The Foreign Office Of the Emperor
Of China.


There are seven or eight executive
departments under the Emperor. His
Cabinet consists of five grand secreta-
ries, of which Ii Hung Chang is one,
and all communications that pass be-
tween him and the rest of the Govern
ment go through their hands When a
report of proposition reaches the EN-
peror it is marked with the vermillion
pencil and handed down through the
Cabinet to the particular bureau or
board having jurisdiction over that par
ticular subject. There are Boards of
Censors, Revenue, Civil Officers, Rites
and Ceremonies, Army and Navy, Pun
isilment, Public Works and the Tsung-
ii-Yamen. which has jurisdiction over
foreign affairs, and is composed of the
Presidents of the other boards and the
Grand Secretaries. There is also a
Council OF State, composed of the same
men. who have regular meetings for
consultation, but foreigner finds it
impossible to comprehend their duties
and distinguish where their jurisdiction
begins or ends.
Before the war of 1860 with England,
business with foreigners was conduct
ed at the Colonial Office, and by the
same officials who looked after the
tribute paid the Emperor by his vas
sels in Thibet, Manchuria, Corea and
elsewhere That was considered the
proper department for the affairs of
foreign devils" and barbarians like
the Queen of England, the Emperor of
France and the President of the United
States were regarded as vassals of the
Son of Heaven. After that war the
Ministers from foreign countries re-
fused to accept this situation any long
er, and the Tsung-liYamen was tenn
porarily organized of the Presidents of
the permanent boards to confer with
the diplomatic personalities residing
at Picking. and transact such other bus
mess as the Emperor might have with
contractors and other foreigners. Re
cent events have made it the most i'm
portant of all the Government boards
at Peiin. 1t is the only one that has
Offices outside of the Diplomatic Corps,
and they only when they present their
letters of eredence TO the Emperor
The Tsung-li Yamen occupies an old
temple within convenient distance OF
Legation street, upon which nearly all
the foreign legations are situated 1t is
now composed of the most eminent men
surrounding the Emperor. Ii Hung
Chang, who is the best known to the
foreigners; Prince Kung, Weng Tung
Iio, Kang vi and Chen Ying Pu, who
compose the Efnperor's Cabinet, are
particularly influential, and whatever
they say is usually law in the council.
Prince kung is uncle of the present
Emperor and son of the late Emperor
Tao Taung. He is considered an ex-
cellent man. OF liberal ideas. and good
intentions. but is old and in bad health
Weng Tung Ho was the Emperor
tutor during his minority. and is con-
sfdered the ablest and most influential
man at Court. He is President of the
! Board of Revenue. which corresponds
to the Treasury Department in our Gov
eminent, and is the most important of.
| flee under the Emperor He was al
| implacable foe to all the foreign dev-
| lis and resisted all progressive move
ments until the late war with Japan
when his eyes We're opened TO the i'm
portance and necessity Of undermining