The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-24
WILL STATESMAN
Il SAVE CHINA :?
Continued from Page L.

rash inroads the horde of foreign con-
tractors who would have remade the oi6
empire in a day, and, on the other hand
pressing upon his compatriots the grad
ual use of modern inventions.
During his quarter century occupation
of this post, most of the time with the
ADDED honor of grand secretary Of the
empire, practically all of Chinas progress
was due to him. When memorials on the
advantages of railroads were snothered
by the empress anti-foreign advisers he |.
built lines himself, almost at the peril Of
his life. He established telegraph lines,
opeEed coal mines, founded a military
and naval academy, endowed a hospital, |
fitted UP arsenals, bought modern war
ships, built Notifications and generally
do all he dared do to introduce modern |
appliances into his own province. He be-
came the hope of all, native and foreign.
who wished to see China take her place
among the great nations of the world. /
That the shrewd Lii profited hugely, aft /
err the dictates of Chinese morality, by his /
dealings with foreigners goes without I
Saying. AS the tide of foreign Industrial
invasion slowly rose, his yamen or off, I
ci8l residence, became almost an agency
where European engineers and contract I
ors propounded the most gigantic
schemes. Ii Is remarkable juggier of
men, and by beating down, by playing off
bidders of one nationality against anoth-
err. by making counter offers, he has con-
stantly outwitted the shrewdest men
from the West.
! One of the greatest of Ii Hung Chang's
services to his state was in negotiating
the peace treaty with Japan, after China's
disastrous defeat in that contest In which
he had entered against his protest, and
in face of his predictions of an unfoftu-
nate outcome. 1t was thankless task.
and one. almost certain to earn the III
will of the Picking Government. but the
aged statesman undertook it, and brought
all the resources of his marveilously
Ishrewd mind to the task of securing the
best possible terms for China.
For Japan the negotiations were con-
Quoted by the Marquis Ito, and 1t Is
doubtful II two more clever conversation
alists ever were pitted against each other
lin similar contest.
! Viceroy Ii was at decided disadyan-
ltage, for China was practically at the
mercy of her conquering enemy The
skill of the aged diplomat, aided by the
sympathy aroused by the attempt to
sassinate him, secured for the defeated
. nation better terms than they otherwise
could have hoped for. AS was almost q
; fcregone conclusion, however, the home
, Government failed to appreciate his ser
ivices. and the ingratitude commonly as
Icribed to republics was strikingly dis
. played by the Chinese despotism on his
: return to Picking. 1t was only through
. the efforts of his foreign advisers and
: the representatives of the various pow
, ers that the ratification of the terms CT
peace was finally secured
e Ii himself was once more stripped of
1 his vice regal powers, and remained IN
e retirement until the necessity of sending
a Chinese representative to attend the
i core nation of the Gar once more brought
him to the front. His selection for this
e important post was due more to the fact
a that he was the only man capable OF fii-
n ing it than to any desire to do him honor.
d HIS TOUR OF THE WORLD.
n The story of Earl LIS triumphant prog
lress around the world is familiar TO all
d newspaper readers. There is nc doubt
$ that the journey did much to increase the
1 great Chinaman's knowledge of the prog
= lross and power of the Western nations,
Il as 1t certainly did much to increase the
respect and admiration of all these ma
n items for the venerable statesman Of the
+. Orient
Although honors and distinctions were
e heaped upon Lii Hung Chang during his
g long journey, they did not add to MS IA
r, vor with the Chinese Government. IN 1855
e the year so disastrous to the Celestial
empire-he was again retired to conpara-
r two obscurity. Since that time, as Vice
l. roy of the provinces of Kwang 81 ant
/" kwang Tung, he has been kept a. dia
le tance from the seat of the central gov
~ leTEmeUI anu mas DeeH virtually 0slttpN'
). influence in directing its course. Had ~
retained his former position and infiuenc'
lie 1t is possible that the present crisis woul'
, not have been permitted to develop =
he the acute stage.
l. In spite of his liking for some Of tn
Sc features of Western civilization. IL Hunl
Chang is thoroughbred Chnaman.
Or If he Is tolerant of foreigners he Is I'm
a der no decisions. Long ago he laid DOW
or the policy: Let us use foreigners, bU
r. do not let foreigners use u.s." If he ha
Up ever seemed to favor Russia or Grea
Britain or any other power, it has bee
40 with a deep purpose. 1t is to the ever
V. lasting credit of American diplomacy an
American craftsmanship that he has nev
or er wavered in his faith that the Unite
be States has no AK to grind at Chinas eA
er pense
lg When Ii Hung Chang rises he goes (
IN work, and at o'clock eats breakfas
&C imposed of birds nest soup, rice congo
On and coffee, without milk or sugar. At II
L. close of the meal he takes grain on tw
he of quinine and goes to work again
ay 1t has been said that he Is the riches
rs man in the world, but of that no OF
X knows as Ii has not divulged his finar
ell cial status. However, he pract'caii
ov ms the railroads and the telegraph limo
s. in China. which he put in on his own r.
he lsponsibility and at his own expense, an
Dr. derives the revenue from them lie
all behind every progressive European innC
be walton introduced into the country
In no country Is the short, pithy pro-
ng erb more valued than In China The iasl
ew ion was set by Confucius. founder OF On
er nese philosophy, who habitually SPOKE
ry proverbs. Ii Hung Chang is known
IT, the Occident chiefly by reason OF n
.es genius as a soldier and statesma 2, b'
lst besides these he Is a philosopher nd 81
he taller of proverbs and apothegms o. :
ill mean order. During his memora3ie ri
cd around the world he continually surprl
ell Europeans and Americans by his wi
est ty and apt sayings, as well as ~ y
.or abrupt questions, both pertinent al OF
rit erwise.
elk When the great Chinaman was n Ne
in York he was entertained by Mag
lev Strong During his interview l. ask
nd the mayor why he had not taken part
is the civil war. The mayor replied that
&C. brother had been in the army. but tn
he stayed at home to take care OF q
IL family, and was in civil life. "Ah, sa
ice Ii, "you were very good soldier Ia TIN
for of peace, I suppose. and a YER s0'