The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-11

HON. JOHN w. FOSTERS ESTIMATE
OF HIS DIPLOMATIC QUALITIES.
Considers Him a Thoroughly Loyal
Chinaman and Equal to the New
Duties Imposed on Him.

From the foregoing review it may be
inferred that 1 regard the designation Of
Ii Hung Chang as a negotiator on the
part of China for settlement of the ques-
tons growing out of the late disorders
as most fitting. The only other Celestial
so well equipped for the position was
Chang Yen Huan, who was for a number
of years the popular Chinese minister in
Washington. was the Emperor's special
ambassador at the Queens jubilee In Lon
Don in 1897. and a member OF the Tsung
II Yamen. The chief advantage he would
have possessed over the viceroy was the
matter of age, as he was fifteen years or
more his Junior. Entertaining enlightened
views of the needs of his country, he had
favored the reforms contemplated by the
Emperor, and thus fell a victim to the dis
pleasure of the Empress dowager. He was
condemned TO be beheaded, but through
the interposition of the American and
British ministers the death penalty was
to Punishment and life impris-
onment in the far-distant territory of Iii,
During the recent reign of terror ct Pek-
ing an order for his execution was OBJ
tanned by Prince Tuan along with that
OF the other enlightened, pro-foreigg men,
DerS or the TSung Lii Yamen, and the news
now comes across the desert to Picking
that the bloody order has been ruthlessly
executed. No proper settlement of the
Chinese problem will be reached without
such a reform of the government as will
prevent the repetition of such harbarities
as this, and until the blood of Chang Yen
Huan and other patriots is avenged by the
punishment of Prince Tuan and other high
criminals.
HIS RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.
The attitude of the viceroy in the ne
gotiations can only be coniectured, but
something may be assumed from his past
conduct. In addition to his diplomatic ex-
~perience. he possesses a large measure of
the s~hrewdness, akin to cunning, which Is
imputed to his race. and will no doubt be
prepared TO take advantage of any differ
ences of views or plans which may be de-
veloped by the Christian powers. 1t has
been charged that he was unduly friendly
to Russia and for that supposed reason
his fitness for his mission has been ques-
toned. Something on this point was said
in his recent interview already cited by
me, and from which / quote again:
ut is said that you favor Russia"
That is not So" said the viceroy, en-
phatically.
But is there not a secret alliance be-
tween Russia and China? / nave heard II
whispered in diplomatic circles that there
IS"
mo, there is not" said Ii Hung Chang
China has the same feeling toward Rus
STA that she nas toward the other powers,
You are all on a level with u.s.
How about the strained relations which
have prevailed between Japan and Russia
since the Chinese-Japanese war? Do you
think these two countries will fight?'
No, / do not" said Ii Hung Chang.
Neither Japan nor Russia wants war
The Russians are not ready for war. 1t
is a mistake to think they are building
the Transsiberian Railroad for that pur.
pose. They are doing that to develop the
country. Siberia is enormously rich. 1t
has but few people, and it must have a
railroad if it is to be opened up to settle
ment."
have no doubt he will do all possible
TO secure free commercial intercourse and
to afford protection to merchants and
traders. China is much Interested in tha
maintenance OF the open door" policy of
MISSIONARY INFLUENCE.
The missionary question is one in which
a vast body of the best citizens of the
United States are interested. The viceroy
prides himself in being a devoted disciple
of Confucius, who was an avowed agnos-
tic; but he has been brought much into
relations with the missionaries, and has re-
peatedly recognized the useful service
they have been rendering his country
men through their schools and hospitals.
and has commended this part of their
work. a notable event worth relating &C.
Cured during the stay of the viceroy in
New York city in 1896, on his return 70
Chine. after mis- visit to Europe. He was
waited upon by special appointment by a
body of men representing the various
Protestant mission boards having Offices
in New York embracing churches with a
membership of eighty millions. This body
read TO him ar address, a copy of which
had been sent to him in advance, in which
was set forth the aims and labors of their
various boards in China. The viceroy had
caused his secretary. Lo Feng Luh, to
prepare a reply which he read at the con-
ference. 1t is too lengthy to copy, though
III N rnctf IN rrhfRh hn fr1l rnoA~-
niZed the useful labo1s of the missionaries
and the duty of his government to afford
them ample protection. After his return
to Peking, in an interview with a bishop
OF the Methodist Church. he used this LAM
guage: Say TO the American people for
me TO send over more missionaries for the
schools and hospitals, and l hope to be In
a position botn to aid them and protect
them"
Among the various interesting incidents
of his stay in Japan while negotiating the
treaty of peace, there occurred a CORE
.spondence, which reveals his respect for
Christianity and other traits of his char
acter. When the attack was made upon
his life the Christians of Nagoya, both
Japanese and foreigners, sent a message
of sympathy, with a statement that they
were praying for his recovery. His son
sent a reply on his behalf. the last SEN
tence of which seems prophetic in view of
his present mission. He wrote:
MY father has directed me to write the
following. dictated from his bed, in reply
to your address. He is deeply moved by
the sentiments of kindly solicitude for his
Welfare expressed in your address, and
feels that the prayers you have offered
for his recovery cannot have been unheed
ed by the Power who controls human des-
TIMES. He feels that his escape was little
short of miraculous.
He believes that his life has been spared
to him for some wise purpose beyond the
capacity of man to fathom: but he VIII
venture TO interpret his good fortune as
an indication that his lifework is not yet
completes; that he may yet do some good
In the world, and perhaps render service
t. his country by e~ndeavoring 10 restore
peace and good will. where strife now pre-
walls"
A ~well-known writer on Chinese subjects,
Henry Norman, has said that as for pa
triotism, there is no such thing in China
The events of the late Japanese wal gave
frequent occasion for the same remark on
the part of foreigners. And yet there are
few men living who ave given greater
proofs of devotion to their country's in
~terests, as they understand them, than II
Hung Chang. / have referred TO his con-
Duct during the TAPPING rebellion. Nor1
man. who has few good words 10 say for
Lii. states that for many years he was the
virtual ruler of three hundred and fifty
millions of shayen heads and plated tails
as he fippantly styles the Chinese nation.
ii is an authentic fact that in the time
of his greatest power, Colonel Gordon