The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-25
A:CHINEsE PATRIOT AND PRINCE
IL HUNG CHANG.

I Our opinion Of Minister Sheng has been
confirmed by the London correspondent of
the New York Times. who says that Sheng
has arnassed enormous fortune by the
most systematic and extraordinary lying
that has ever been seen in China. This
sastute Oriental held the Office of Tao-Taial
of Ten Tsin when Ii Hung Chang was Gov
error Of the province of Pc Chi Ii. in
which TEN Tsin is situated In his capac-
atty as Governor, Ii Hung Chang used
6heng in his dealings with foreigners as
a goblet tween whose business IN life was
to take brides from both sides, and to OBJ
tain concessions for foreign railroads and
other investments. Even the American
promoters stood aghast at Shengs great
powers of fabrication and his unabashed
reception of brides from anybody for any
thing until at last Ii Hung Chang was
driven into a state of revolt against the
aniquities Of his henchman that took the
form Of periodical dismissals Of Sheng
who was as regularly reinsta1ed. The cor
respondent of the New York Times says
there is little doubt but that Sheng pos
ssesses every one Of the foreign powers
cipher codes. and this knowledge has prob
ably been used TO manufacture the tele-
gram from Minister Conger to Secretary
HAY. Or, al the best, the telegram from
Minister Conger is only one that has been
delayed IN transmission, and is now sent
on as a sop to the Occidental mind.
Sheng's leader, guide and master. was Ii
Hung Chang, and those who trust in him
as a strong tower and rock of defense for
the Europeans and Americans in China
are praying to a god who is not deaf. but
fle hears only that he may the more GER
Mainly strike down the supplian;. a man
whose life has been spent in amassing
wealth by means best known and practiced
in China, the land of brides. and one who
in addition to his natural qualities has a
well defined hatred for things foreign, is
not likely TO defend or protect those who
fall into his hands. Unless it can be
shown TO Lii Hung Chang that so far as he
Is personally concerned, ii is dangerous or
1nwise 10 cast in his lot on the side of
those who wish to clear China of foreign
influence, he viii invariably be found help
ing Prince Tuan and the Boxers
There are, however. in China, men who
tre both patriotic, far as love for China
IS concerned. and at the same time able
TO understand the value OF our civilization
Perhaps the greatest example OF this
phase of Chinese intelligence is Chang Chi
.Tung, viceroy OF Human. This old gentle
man lives al Hankow, and though ne does
not speak English. he understands wherein
ahe English and American ideas can bene-
lit his people. he has, at his own expense,
built an agricultural college, which is I'M
der The supervision of two American eX-
perts whom he Imported from Ohio. These
tnen are using their best efforts TO Increase
the knowledge OF the Caina-nan in matters
agricultural. Besides, Chang Chi TunS has
q good army Of his own, which has been
drilled by German officers. The army IS
equipped with modern weapons and under
stands modern tactics Now these prefara-
iions We're made by the Niceroy OF Human
from no desire TO expel the foreigner. but
rather from a desire TO put his country IN
Touch with the best that has been known
and thought and pracuced by the advanced
peoples OF the world to-day
AS can be readily understood. these adj
vaneed ideas We're MOI pleasant TO the
Iowager Empress, who sent for Chang Chi
Tung TO visit her at Pekin. to which The
tylceroy replied that he WAS too old 10
sstand the fatigue OF the journey. Never
mind" said the Empress. Il will send my
own Sedan chair for YOU" Now, Hankow
Is a matter of some 100 miles from Pekin,
and the offer of the Empress was not light
Nv to be turned aside. However, the Vice
roy replied tina; ne was too poor TO vis;,
the Empress IN proccr state Tha Empress
said: "Then come as a poor man" We'll"
said Chang Chi Trng. .if come at ali
sili bring ray own troops Thereafter the
royal Invitations ceased.
|. NaE. the value OF this story. OF whose