Evening star., 1901-11-07

mines and operated them as European and
American mines operated. He built the
first railroad of the empire to carry the ma
tional products to Tien Tsin and the trans
Pacific freight carriers. He founded mil
ftary and naval academy, endowed modern
hospitals and fitted up arsenals, machine
shops and cotton mills with foreign ma
chinery.
His memorials on these subjects espe-
cially on the origin. introduction and al
vantages of railroads. abound in the wis.,
dom and farsightedness of the great mind,
and are set forth in terms that ought 10
have aroused even a government STEPPED
in the densest ignorance and conservatism.
Whatever of this nature was done, Earl
Lii did with a bowstring about his neck.
During this period of his life the residence
of Earl Lii on the northern bank of the
Peiho at Tien Tsin. was the actual center
of all the progress being made by the ma
ton.
True Chinaman.
An eminent author. John Russell Young,
former minister to China, wrote of LII
Hung Chang at this period of his career:
I'm considering a character like the vice
roy we must take him from the Chinese
point of view. He is neither Roman noc
a Greek nor an American-but a China
man He represents the oldest OF civiliZa-
tions- Behind him are sixty centuries of
achievement industry and renown. His
ancestors had a literature, a religion,
science, when ours were eating acorns in
the woods or following the deplorable
rites of the Druids. He represents the lib
but it Is a liberalism held down by the ira
ditions of centuries
Visits the United States.
While on his way home from the corona
tion OF the present czar. in 1896. Earl Ii
made a visit to the United States. His
progress from the east coast to the Pacific
excited the greatest possible interest in
America He was met everywhere along
the route by deputatons of citizens and his
fellow-cOuntrymen.
On his arrival in New York harbor. Au-
gust %, he was escorted to his landing by
a squadron of twelve United States ships of
war including the Indiana, Massachusetts,
Maine Texas. Columbia. Newark and Ra-
leigh. The Chinese minister of that day,
Yang Yu: the Chinese consul and other dis
tinguished residents of the United States
formally welcomed him to America. Presi-
dent Cleveland received the ambassador in
the residence Of William c. Whitney, for
mer Secretary of the Navy, and the two Of
ficials exchanged addresses testifying to
the mutual good will OF China and the
United States.
For two days Earl LII was domiciled at
the Arlington In this city. A suite of about
twenty rooms was set aside for his use,
portion of the kitchen was given over to
his Chinese cook. and two notable enter
ta'nments were given in his honor. At one
of these, a dinner rendered him by Mr.. John
W. Foster, former Secretary of State, three
members of the cabinet and other promi-
nent officials were present and Earl Ii tes-
titled in a speech of marked earnestness to
his esteem for the American character.
Earl Ii Travelled with suite of thirty
six attendants, among the persons of the
retinue being Lord Ii, the viceroys adopt
ed son. and King Su. his second son.
W herever this party was entertained Its
chief figure distributed generous gratuities
in return for the services OF the hotel en-
ployes. In Washington, for example.
Messrs. I. E. Roessle and Frank V. Ben
nett were decorated. and $50 was dis
trfbuted among the employees of the Arling-
ton.
Possible Consequences of His Death.
With the announcement of the distin-
guished viceroy's illness the newspapers of
every city in the world began to discuss
the possible consequences of his death on
the relations of China with other nations.
Earl Ii was degraded twice on the initia-
tive of the dowager empress, but was new
ertheess possessed of more influence with
that redoubtabie woman than any other
nobleman of the realm. He had long been
minister of foreign affairs. with extraordi-
nary powers.
In all the negotiations between China and
Russia concerning Manchuria he treated
with VI. Lessar. the Russian ambassador.
as an envoy of the Chinese government
Win authority II IS
now known definitely that the responsible
ity for the whole Russo-Chinese negotia-
tions contemplating the suZerainty of the
northern province by Russia rested with
Lii Hung Chang. Indeed, the latter's pre-
objections were all pro-Russian. The Man
churian treaty is. however, now concluded,
If official advices from st. Petersburg are
TO be believed. and the death of the Chinese
legate is not likely to affect Il.
Earl LIS pro-Russian inclinations were in
full accord with the views of the dowager
empress. But his farsighted advocacy of
modern machinery and commercial meth
ods was solely his own. The empress, at
any rate. still holds to a distinctively Chi
nese program of the most lethargic con-
servatism- Her will has been Chinese law
for the past two decades, except as the in
fiuence of VfcerOy Ii prevailed against it.
The whole world will watch therefore to
discover whether any Chinese statesman
shall arise to continue LIS work in that di-
rectlon and oppose the dowagers strong
prejudice against advance and improve
ment. Both ;he Yang-tse viceroys are pro-
Eressiye beyond the degree of Ii Hung
Chang, but their influence with the throne
Is very much less than was his. This is
sufficiently indicated by the formulation of
the Manchurian treaty to which the two
fang-tse of1cials were bitterly opposed
Except for Its interest In the deyelOp-
ment and advancement of China, which II
shares with all other civilized nations, the
United states Is not likely to be much af-
iected by Earl Lis death. All that remains
10 De done at Pekin to conclude the Amer
1cah negotiations consequent to the recent
war Is the preparation of certain trade and
commercial treaties which shall secure to
this country rights thought TO be de6nitaIv
understood and accepted by the present
Chinese government That work Is believed
10 nave been completely mapped out by the
envoys OF this country and the representa-
tives OF China-Earl Ii and Prince Ching
ana to have been finished, except for the
mechanical task Of engrossing of the
treaties.