The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-17
CHANG YEN HoON's EXECUTION.
The Pres. Reports ConaT med BY Of
ncial Inform q ton.

Official information has been received
here confirming the press report OF six
weeks ago that Chang Yen Hoon. former
Minister from China to the United States.
had been decapitated by an order of the
Empress Dowager. The execution took
place at n Chinese penal settlement on
the frontier province of Kashgaria on
July 90. Since the first report was re-
ceived that Chang had been executed
many complimentary things Of him have
been said by officials here who knew him
curing his residence in Washington. AL
though his Washington career was not
notable for any important accomplish
ments in diplomacy. Changes ability was
shown to be of high order. He was
progressive, imbusd with Western ideas.
and a firm friend OF the United States.
he was extremely popular in society and
entertained lavishly
Chang came here in 1885, during the first
year OF Mr.. Cleveland's first term, and re-
NAMED until 1888. He leased Stewart
Castle" commodious residence on Du-
pont Circle, in the fashionable part Of the
city. built by Senator Stewart, OF Nevada,
and recently purchased by Senator Clark,
OF Montana. Chang soon established a repu-
many friends; in fact. he picked up ac-
quaintances indiscriminately So punctili-
GUS was he that he personally returned
the calls OF all who came to see him,
whether socially, on business. or out of
mere curiosity. All these people were in,
vited to the receptions which he gave and
great many who did not know him found
1t easy to obtain Invitations. AT one OF
these sumptuOus affairs. the crush was so
great that Stewart Castle was packed from
top to bottom. and when supper was an
nounced there was such rush among the
guests toward the dining rooms that wo-
men tainted and tables containing the eat
ables were overturned.
After Chang Yen Hoon returned TO Chi
ma Senator Stewart made complaint that
his residence had been badly used by .he
Chinese and refused to lease 1t to the
succeeding legation.
When Chang went back to China in
| 1888 he was appointed member Of the
| Tsung -li-Yamen, or Board of Foreign Az
fairs. and vice president Of the Board of
Finance. His ability as diplomatist and
| an executive officer was unquestioned and
he was held in high favor by the throne.
During Queen Victoria's Jubilee he went
to London as special envoy of China to
congratulate the Queen on the accom-
plishment of so long reign and there
met many former Washington friends. in
Guiding Secretary Hay and John w. Fos-
ter, ex-Secretary OF State. Chang paid a
personal visit to st. Petersburg and then
returned to China.
Changes progressive IDEAS brought him
under the displeasure of the Empress
Dowager at the time Kang Yu Wei, the re-
former, was causing such an agitation in
the Empire. The friendship of the EN-
peror kwang Hsu and Chang was very
close. and the Dowager apparently sus-
pected that the latter was responsible for
the Emperors reform notions. About
eighteen months ago, the Empress had
Chang thrown into prison and directed
that he be bauished to the Gobei desert.
This severe sentence brought protest
from the British and American Ministers
at Pekip, the latter being then. as now.
Edwin H. Congcr. and in consequence the
sentence was reduced to Punishment to
the military post in Karshsaria. During
the recent Boxer uprising. the Empress
Dowager. according to unofficial reports
received here. directed that Chang be
executed. This order is said to have been
given during fit of passion on the part
of the Empress.