The Portland daily press., 1900-07-18
III HUNG'S MISSION.
The Old Viceroy Makes Some Interest
Ing Statements.


London, July 1S.-The Daily Telegraph
has the following from Canton, dated
July 16:
I'm an interview with the foreign con-
sui today Ii Hung Chang said tnat his
mission TO Pekin was two fold-to save
the lives of the foreign ministers and to
arrange the best possible terms of peace
with the allied powers. The American
and French consuls while congra tulating
him on these commendabIe purposes re-
minded him of his pledges to protect for
eigners and to preserve peace in Southern
and Central China.
Earl Ii replied that he must obey the
summons to Pekin but that he had taken
all necessary precautions. He added that
he had received important cables from
Lord Salisbury and M. Del Casse de-
manding protection for the foreign min
listers in Pekin and threatening to take
life for life of the high officials respon-
sible if the ministers were murdered. He
told the consul that he was the only man
in China who dared transmit such mes
sages to the Empress but that he had
sent them verbatim and that he did not
doubt they had exerted powerful influ-
ence in saving the minister's lives.
''He went on to say that as the dean Of
the viceroys, he had also induced all the
other viceroys except two, to join in a
lengthy memorial to the throne asking
security for the foreigners, suppression of
the Boxers and full reparation for the
damage done and the lives lost.
''To the American who inquired about
the actual safety of the foreign ministers
in Pekin, Lii answered that he had re-
ceived no news from Pekin within the
past week but that, if they were alive, he
was almost certain matters aid be
satisfactorily arranged with the allied
powers.
g If they are dead-here he shrugged
his shoulders significantly and added with
lowered voice-it is hard to tell what NAV
happen. am going to Pekin practically
unarmed, except for my body guard of
200 men and that ought to be evidence to
the whole world that do not favor any
lighting and OF my pacific Intentions 1
am very old and in very poor health and
it is great personal sacrifice to under
take journey in this torrid weather.
LATTER a moments thought he said: If
your ministers are killed, do you think
my life may be taken in retaliation while
en- routeq'
'This question received a general
strong negative reply. He then asked
the consuls to wire to their respective adj
miraIs to respectshis- own flag and to al
low his a safe conduct to Pekin. He was
evidently anxious about the ministers,
for, returning to the subject, he said
My heart is sore about them. / know
them all personally and am on the best
of terms with them.
He added that he realized his govern
ment had done wrong and that it was to
show his grave displeasure that he sent
the cablegrams from Lord Salisbury and
M. Del Casse to the Empress, word for
word as he received them, He concluded
by asking the cooperation of the allied
powers in furthering the success of his
mission and said emphatically that he
depended upon them."'
TEA AND SILK HOUSES PLUM
DERED.
London, July 18,-The Moscow CORE
spondent Of the Daily Mail says
Leading firms here have learned that
their tea and silk ware houses at Kalgan
in the province of Chi Ii, near the great
wall have been plundered and burned by