The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-22
VICTIM OF THE EMPRESS.
News Of Chang Yen HoOn's Exccu-
ton Causes Regret Here.

News of Chang Yen HoOn's Exccu-
ton Causes Regret Here.
News confirming the report that Chang
Yen Hoon has been beheaded met with
much regret in this city. where the former
Minister to the United States was es-
teemed one of the abest and most pro-
gressive of Cinnamon. He was popular
and we'll liked by all officials OF the State
Department with whom he dealt in public
matters. and probably enjoyed a wider
acquaintance among public men of this
country than any of his predecessors or
successors stationed in Washington. The
late Minister was admitted to be diplo-
mat of the finest type-in fact. many we'll
informed observers Of Chinese officialdom
say that Mr.. Hoon's equal was not to be
found in the Chinese Empire.
He was native of KwangTung. the
province of which Canton is the capital.
After a considerable service in subordi-
nate offices and as Taotai, or mayor. OF
Canton. he was appointed in 1886 Minis
ter to the United States, and remained
in that capacity till the autumn Of 1882,
While here he secured the settlement Of
the indemnity for the Rock Springs riot
and other assaults on Chinese laborers in
the Pacific States. He was great friend
of Secretary Bayard. and frequently Wis
tied him at his home. in Wilmington. He
was especially noted for his brilliant en-
tertainments. given when the Legation oc-
cupied the Stewart Castle, which was re-
Gently purchased by ex-senator Clark, OF
Montana, for the site OF his Washington
home in case he is elected to the Senate.
Chang was also noted for his valuable
gifts of Chinese articles de vertu to his
American friends, and 1t is often said that
no other representative Of his country
equaled him in social attentions.
While stationed here he made eXcur-
sions to various sections OF the country
to study the Industrial and railroad in
terests, SO that he might take back to
China new ideas for the promotion of va
rious enterprises. He did all he could to
encourage American railroad investment
in China When the imperial Government
recalled him as Minister to the United
States, he returned home by way OF Eu-
rope, where he visited the Paris EXPOSE
ton of 1889 and most of the capital cities
of the Continent.
On his return to Pekin he was appoint
ed a member of the Tsung-li-Yamen, or
Foreign Office, and soon became the lead
ing member of that body. He was the
most popular member of the Diplomatic
and, indeed, he was the only Chinese off,
cial Of high rank in Pekin who was &C
customed to entertaining the foreign
Ministers at his private residence. In
1894 he was chosen by the Emperor, in
conjunction with the Viceroy Shao,, COM
missioner to negotiate peace with Japan,
and went to Hiroshima to meet the jap
anese commissioners, but the latter de-
clined to receive him because of some de-
feet in his credentials. 1t is alleged, how
ever that the real reason Chang was not
received on this mission was that Japan
wished first to capture Wei-Hai-Wei and
destroy the Chinese navy On this
occasion he had with him as his secre-
WI Ting-fang
Chang resumed his post in the Chinese
Foreign Office in 1897 when heNwas sent
as special ambassador to the Queens
Jubilee in LONDON, and here he attracted
universal attention by his courtly man
ners and the brilliancy Of his dress and
suite. After the Jubilee he visited st.
Petersburg and Berlin, where he was re-
ceived by the Emperors in special audi
ences, and by each OF them he was deco
rated with distinguished orders-He was
honored by Queen Victoria with the Grand
Cross OF ST. Michael and st. George.
Completing his second tour in Europe
Chang returned to China by way Of the
United States, making en- route visit to
his friend. John W. Foster. at his summer
home on Lake Ontario. Thence he was
escorted to the Pacific Coast by way of the
Canadian Pacific Railway in special train
rendered to him by the Dominion Govern
ment
He again resumed his duties in the
Foreign Office at Pekin and exerted all of
his influence to bring about the reform in
the Government which the Chinese-Jap-
anese war had demonstrated was neces-
sary, and which his residence and obser-
walton in America and Europe had taught
him was so desirable. He was regarded
as the leading pro-foreigner in the Gov
crnment service. but by the expression of
such modern. liberal views he raised up
against himself hest of enemies among
the anti-foreign element. Thus, when
the Empress Dowager supplanted the En-
peror in 1858. Chang Yen Hoon was con-
demned to death. not for any crime or
malpractice in office. but solely on ac-
count of his reform views. The decapita-
ton which he ultimately suffered would |
have taken place then but for the inter- |
position Of the American and British Min |
listers.
He is the most conspicuous OF all the |!
martyrs of the Empress Dowager's reign |
Of blood and cruelty.