The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-08

to time great services in its behalf
In fact, he seems to have been the
one man of China who knew what
was going on in the outer world and
was able to understand the mental
processes of foreigners. He never
hesitated to ask questions, as Ameri-
cans discovered on his visit here, and
there is very good reason to suppose
that he made excellent use of the in
formation he gained in that way
Personally he was shrewd bright and
entertaining
Ii Hung Chang first became promi-
nently known in America through
General Grants visit to the Orient
Between the distinguished American
and the great Chinaman who met at
that time there sprang up what might
be termed almost a friendship. Cen
eral Grant was not at all backward in
expressing his admiration of Earl Ii.
and described him as the Bismarck of
the East. Earl Lii was no less en-
thusiastic over General Grant. and
never lost an opportunity to show his
appreciation. The two men were of
the same age; both were of humble
origin and both obtained distinction
through military successes.
Strangely enough Ii really came into
prominence in China partly because of
an American. To Lii was given the
credit of suppressing the TAPPING re-
bellion. The Taipings fell it is sup
posed, through the achievements of
Ward, the American, and "Chinese"
Gordon, rather than through the great
generalship of Earl Lii, but glory and
rewards fell to him. 1t is certain that,
aided by American and English Off
GERS, he swept everything before him
AS showing the character of the man
lessly slaughtered leaders of the re-
bellion who had surrendered under
pledges of security. Chinese" Cor
don was so angry that he threatened
to shoot Earl Ii on sight, and very
likely would have carried out his
threat had not the willy Chinaman kept
out of his way.
The army which Ii Hung Chang
commanded was thoroughly devoted
to him and because he was so in touch
with his soldiers the court saw fit to
deal with him kindly when, had he
not been so powerfully supported he
might have been stripped of his hon
ors.
He held the office of governor of two
powerful provinces in 1867; suppressed
another rebellion; became viceroy of
the province of Chill in 1870. and in
1876, after having distinguished him
self by coping with the great famine,
became grand secretary of state and
virtually the head of the Chinese en-
pire
The wretched fasco made by China
in the war with Japan brought dis
grace upon Earl Ii, which he never
fully oVercame Yet, when it came to
arranging the terms of peace, it was
to him that the matter was referred.
In the adjustment of the recent diff
culties in China Ii Hung Chang
played an important part, though no
was second to Prince Ching.
Ii Hung Changes visit to the United
States is remembered by all. He was
warmly welcomed and his sayings and
doings were kept constantly before the
people by the newspapers. During his
days of power Ii was thrown con-
stantly among the keenest men of the
world. If any concession was to be
gained he was the man before whom
the proposition was laid. He was
quite accessible to foreigners. If they
did not take away something, they left
Earl Ii enriched by information, if by
nothing else. It may be said of Ii
Hung Chang that he was vastly ahead
of his people. He was in touch with
Western civilization, and was not in
different to its meanings.