New-York tribune., 1899-10-29
TALK WITH II HUNG CHANG
DIX. l.. L. SEAMAN. OF NEW-YORK. DIS
CUSSES THE PHILIPPINE CUES
TION WITH HIM
THE AGED. CHINESE STATESMAN THINKS
THE UNITED STATES HAD BETTER
SELL OUT TO JAPAN OR BUY
OFF AGUINALDO.

companied Dr L. l. Seaman Of New-York Citv
as Interpreter at an interview with the great
man Of China Ii Hung Chang.
Dr. Seaman who is on short leave from the
Army in Manila arrived here yesterday. and
having been a fellow passenger with Ii when
the latter was crossing from England 10 Amer
ca. made known his presence 10 him where
upon the great statesman invited him 10 call
upon him this morning We were first invited
into the apartments occupied by his secretary
W. y. Pethck. Of New York and Informed that
His Excellency was in mourning for his brother
II Han Chang. ex-Niceroy Of tho Canton PROV
inces. whose death occurred a few days ago
from malignant carbuncle. DR. Seaman sug-
gesied that as the old gentleman was in the
midst OF great grief We had better only leave
our cards with him. but Mr. Pethick stated he
had expressly ordered US to he admitted upon
our arrival. as he wished TO thank Dr. Seaman
personally for handsome volume Of tongfellow
the Doctor had given him while he was in the
United States After few minutes waiting
a servant in mourning attire silently entered
the secretarys room and. bowing low 70 each
OF us in turn. announced the great man in
vites YOU" whereupon headed by Mr. Pethick.
passed through several courtyards Of the
Hsien Lang Temple where II lives. and were
ushered into his reception room.
The furniture consisted of six upholstered
easy chairs arranged in seml-circle between
each two Of which was little mahogany tea
table for the tea cups Of the guests Ii vas
not in the room upon our arrival. but had
hardly seated ourselves before he entered. lean
Ing rather heavily upon the shoulders Of one
Of his retaine~s. He recognized Or Seaman AZ
once and shook hands with him cordially. ask
ing him II he remembered the voyage they had
made together. Upon the Doctors reply IN the
affirmative II Immediately asked. And DO
you remember those two pretty actresses VINO
used to sing FOR me? All. many times have
thought Of their bright young faces and melodi-
Gus voices Have you ever seen them since.
Doctor"
Upon the Doctors stating he had seen them
twice since the Viceroy asked eagerly where
they We're how they We're getting along. etc.
evlncine so much interest in them as 20 make
the Doctor fear they would absorb TOO much of
the time of the interview, and that other topics
upon which he wanted His Excelencys opinion
might have TO be left untouched He need have
had no fear however. for Ii seemed in an espe-
cially friendly mood and laxative
After he had learned all the Doctor knew
about the actresses he took UP the question oi
the Philippines
Why are you. doctor. UP here at present
when your countrymen. the soldiers, are lying
hy the wholesale IN Manila
Or Seaman replied that he himself had be
ccme i'll. and had come away for a rest and a
change. but that he was going to return 10
Manila Immediately
What DO YOU think Of our occupation of Ma
Mia 7" he asked.
THE MANILA OCCUPATION A MISTAKE
IT'S big mistake. When your President
Grant visited me a number of years ago he
assured mo that your country was definitely
committed % a policy Of non aggression upon
weal.er nations but since this man Mckinley
has heen elected YOU seem 70 have cast aside
your traditional policy Of honor riches and
safety and entered upon the same land grab
hing plan as England. Germany and Russia
II Grant had lived no such mistake would have
been made. I am sure. for the people listened
to him and obeyed his words. and his counsel
was always wise
Dr. Seaman replied that at the outset the
United states had not intended 20 absorb the
Philippines that they had fallen TO the country
in course q battle. and that the United States
could not leave them until A stable government
was established.
That's the old story" said II; always under
the prefrnct oI DONG Eol4 Il SuDJ''l ''NHNiF i'
administered for the benefit Of the conqucrors /
Why don't you withdraw your soldiers at once
now you have done with Spain and allow the
people 70 settle their own differences their own
way"
And allow them 20 become the prey Of Ger |
many Japan or some other nation inquired |
the Doctor.
certainly" replied Ii What happens TO
them Is no concern Of yours If you. as you say, |
are not bent on deriving pecuniary advantage
from their possession: hut that don't believe, |
AS YOU purchased them from Spain by payment
q 500 OOOOO after signing peace-a most fool /
ish purchase.
Well admitting that IT a bad business
10 purchase them. how can We I'm honor now !
retreat and leave them after entering upon
war with the natives Aguinaldo, their leader |
is a treacherous traitor who sold his people once
to Spain. and would do so again; so he is no it
leader for them"
In that case" replied II, the solution Is
easy Buy Agunaldo of he would cost you less !
than TO maintain your army for an indefinite
period 10 say nothing Of an everlasting pension
list afterward
But. ." argued the Doctor Americans could |
never adopt that policy, and thus cause the has
10 he dragged in the mud before those treacher
GUS traitors"
If you don't" replied Ii. your flag that you
speak SO boastngy about viii come down Of
itself You think you SEQ the elements Of great
ness in this Eastern conquest, but prophesy !
that your country will disintegrate and many |
evils follow II YOU don't stop in time"
Many of my countrymen would be- glad 70 |
stop" replied the Doctor. but they see no way |
out 4 IL now"
Are not the japanese supplying the insur- !
gents with arms and ammunition" queried H. |
.'Not as A government" said the Doctor. al |
though | have heard many reports In Manila |
that japanese merchants We're doing thriving |
trade I'm the contraband goods.
Just So" said H. and you may be sure |
japan would be glad 10 get possession there |
Now I have a plan to propose suppose you sell |
nh