New-York tribune., 1900-09-17
III HUNG CHANGES POWERS.
AS A PEACE NEGoTIAToR HE is PER
sUASIvE.
EXTRACTS FROM THE INTERVIEWS HE
HAD WITH COUNT ITO OF JAPAN,
WHICH SHOW HIS METHODS.

The important position which III Hung Chang
now occupies chna's proposed peace commits
sloner in her efforts to make terms with the Pow
has excited unusual amount Of interest In
this remarkable His qualities a statesman
less familiar to Americans in gen
eral way but strong special light is thrown upon
LIS powers a negotiator Of treaties by book
which DR.. L. /. Seaman, OF this city, has lent 10
The Tribune. The book was presented to Or. Sea
personally by Ii Hung Chang at his palace
in Peking September 10. 1892 1t contains an
almost verbatim report of the verbal discussions
which took place between Ii in March and April.
1885, and Count Ito Of Japan. at Shimonosek. when
they the plenipotentiares Of their respective
governments, duly appointed for the purpose OF
arranging the terms Of peace between victorious
japan and Inundated and defeated China. After
the third interview between these most celebrated
statesmen Of Asia Ii shot at and wounded by
assassin he returning to his quarters
The first meeting took place March 20, and
was chiefly devoted to the subject of credentials.
the following extract from the report Of their
conversation shows that Lis. then as now, were
lacking somewhat In clearness:
Ito-Your Excenencys credentials are quite salts
the only IT that n the Sgnaqe 6 OF HIS
Id-state customs differ in various countries
the sign manual Of our Emperor.
Ito.We will not press this point now. but since
with foreign sovereigns. why not observe the
preyailns custom on such oGeasioas q, mould M,
become me to attempt to press the change
The second and third interviews devoted to
arranging the terms of armistice between the
armies, during which the pesce negotiations
could proceed Much time lost while Ii was
recovering from the assassn's wound, and the
fourth interview did not take place until April TO-
Ii at once began TO object to the terms of peace
which had been proposed by Japan. and he put
forth earnest effort to nave them made less
onerous The argument proceeded like this
L-First as to an indemnity of 2O0OO0OOO yen we
nnnf hon hal
IoI the war goes on b indemy cb ess VIII s Te @ more nav
a larger sum- Pray reduce.
1.-THE sum offered in my proposal about covers
your war expenses To meet your present demand
we should have to make a foreign loan and pay
Tto-Your proposal mentions a twenty years loan
MAKE ish5sr it forty years, The rsD'ymsn'' will be
Li-Wiu you make US such loan?
Ito-Can't manage II.
1.-the war viii ruin China's credit.
ItoIGhina has 5oundless resources
Borrowing money to pay the indemnity is
Ito-F'brther abatement is Impossible
Li-Once for all, ask for reduction.
Lt-If the first instalment, whatever it may be- is
paid in full. interest should be waived.
years no interest will be charged, =,
waive interest on the balance?
Ito-If small, yes.
To many IT might seem beneath LIS dignity to
plead thus for small concession. but 1t should
be remembered that he suspected by his
countrymen because he had opposed the with
Japan from the start, therefore he sought to show
by his persistency in hagging with Ito that he
had all he could for his country in the nego-
tiations The question Of cession OF territory fol-
lowed the indemnity. and here Ii seems for a mo-
mert have pretty losing his temper
when he contemplated Japans demands.
Li-Formosa and the Pescadores have not been
taken by your forces. Why do you demand tnose
Ito-It is a question Of cession by treaty, ire
was part of Kirin and Hei-Lung-Chiang given to
Russia?
1.-THE territory given to Russia was a wilder
ness. Formosa, with its dense population is a
totally different matter
Ito-Every foot of land belongs to the sovereign,
be II bowling wilderness or a land of plenty
LIDO you suppose am in my dOtagc, and can
not tell the difference?
"I must reply to Your Excelency's question:
answers Ito politely, but the next minute he gives
a remarkably blunt answer for Oriental dipo-
1t really an ultimatum.
LII must still press for a reduction of the in
FOTmosa.
Ito-In that case we must upon Formosa
Immediately.
China's long standing grievance against England
next touched upon. though only incidentally:
Li-You will find Formosa difficult to take. II is