The Washington times., 1901-11-08
VICER0Y LIS CHARACTER.
The Great Chinaman's Career Re-
viewed by General Foster.
of the Oriental
Statesman and His Rise 10 Fame
Depicted by the American DipIo-
mnt ut One Time His Co-Worl,er

Il regard him as the greatest states
man China has produced, certainly in
the last 100 years"
This is the final estimate placed rr,on
the life of Ii Hung Chang by Gen. John
w. Foster, ex-Secretary of State and
Diplomatic Envoy of China in the settle
mcnt of the China-Jaranose war. The
American statesman, apart from previous
correspondence in an official way. knew
the great Chinaman intimately during TIN,
course of the peace negotiations in he
half of the Ceio stial Empire, a number of
years ago, as well as upon the occasion
OF the Niceroy's visit to this country in
1895
Speaking of the remarkable career of
Earl Ii, General Foster said yesterday:
ii Hung Chang, judging from the Chi
hese standpoint OF education. was a fine
scholar, and was especially familiar with
the teachings of Confucius. He was not
only a great statesman but a sincere pa
uiot' ana was at all times loyal to the
emperor or the reigning power. There is
no question but that at one time he pos
sessed such power and prestige that he
might have made himself ruler Of his
country, by the overthrow OF the dynas-
ty. If he but had given the word
Colonel Gordan-'Chinese' GordOn-had
assisted Ii Hung Chang in putting down
the Tai-ping rebellion. and urged him. at
the moment of his triumph, to take that
drastic course. and make himself the su-
preme ruler of his country Gordon Of
lereu to lead his troops in such q move
ment, and assured Ii of the undoubtcd
success OF the plan. The possibilities of
power, directly within his grasp at that
moment, over millions of his fellow-coun-
tfNmen would have influenced a less res
oiute and less patriotic man to take dis
loyal action against his Emperor. But Ii
lung Chang was not tempted by any
nd
against the Government of which il was
his dearest wish to be loyal subject.
The ability of Ii was distinctly recog-
nlzed by our Government and by TIE
world at large on Several occasions
AT the time of the great Tientsin riots
IN !S'o when many foreigners We're killed
and serious complications threatened with
the Governments of those slain by The
Chinese mob, Ii was called to that city.
took charge absolutely and settled ali
things 20 the satisfaction of everyone
concerned.
When China had to sue for peace after
the disastrous conflict with Japan, it was
Ii again wEo was called to take charge of
the delicate negotiations and to secure
possible. No other man in the whole
Empire was willing or able to undertake
such mission. Thousands and millions
of his countrymen turned instinctively to
him, and he saved them from utter hu-
initiation at the hands of the victors
when the last Boxer complications
arose ii was Ii once more-now the gen
orally regarded savior of his country in
any time of need-who was summoned to
conduct the negotiations with the foreign
Powers. How well he served his Emperor
and his country is a matter OF general
knowledge the world over.
His death may be directly attributed
to his long and earnest labors for the ad-
Justment of these late difficulties.
THE education Of the great Niceroy was
entirely Chinese He spoke 10 foreign
T.
rounded by secretaries who SPOKE Eng
iish and other languages, and whose duty
il was to keep him fully informed of the
worlds S transactions. During the past
thirty years he has been a recognized head
of the Government in all diplomatic mat
ters and has been in direct contact with
the Western diplomats to the exclusion
of all other Chinese statesmen.
For many years he had the services OF
an American. Mr.. Pethick. who told me
that he had read to Ii Hung Chang about
so English French. and German books
by free oral translation. These works
were of all kinds, but mainly OF an his
toricaI nature.
THE Viceroy's thirst for knowledge
was intense. IS was evidenced during his
trip through America. He asked ques
tons continually. frequently in such a
pointed manner as to cause fome embar-
rassment to those to whom the queries
were addressed. But his genial inquisi-
tiveness stood him in good stead when he |
was called upon to unraVel diplomatic
q
more intelligent knowledge of foreign peo- !
pies, and, in fact. of foreign Governments. !
than any other prominent Chinese states |
man.
Though man of education. ly was not |
of high rank by birth. His parents were !
but very poor people. His |
father was a member of what is known |
as the gentry. His mother was a very |
superior woman. and was recognized as /
such by all who came in contact with her. !
Her virtues were many. and her fame |
spread until she was revered by all who /
heard of her character and gentle in /
huence for good She was made the sub |
iect OF poems and eulogiums by many |
Chinese writers. and doubtless had mark |
ed Influence I'm the training Of young Ii. |
Her ps.rt in the formation of his char
lcter is believed by the Celestials to have |
been very great. In line with their an
cestor-wCrship, the masses of the peo- |
pie, whenever Ii Hung Chang attained |
a great success, gave a. much credit 10 !
his mother as they did TO the great |
statesman himself.
Although possessing reputation as a !
literary man. he was in his earlier career !
unskilled as a warrior-in fact, he had |
had no military training at all. But an |