The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-10
DIPLOMATS PAY
ALL DUE HOMAGE
Ministers Of the Powers
Visit the Bier Of Ii
Hung Chang.
Sons of the Late Statesman
Reply to an Address
While in Sackcloth.

PEKING, Nov. s.-The foreign Minis
tiers this afternoon went in a body, wear
ing plain mourning. to the late LII Hung
Changes yamen and presented their con-
dolences according to Chinese custom.
Chinese soldiers lined the streets near the
yamen and the great crowds which gath
cred in the streets and about the yamen
were perfectly orderly. All the city OIL
scials received the Ministers In the outer
court. The coffin was in a spacious IN
ner court temporarily rooted. 1t rested
on an altar behind a screen and had over
it a royal pail, conferred by the Empe-
ror's command, an honor heretofore be,
slowed only on members OF the imperial
family. Many Buddhist priests were in
attendance. There We're rows or tables
bearing offerings OF i food; amounting nmnr nge TO
Candles and incense were burned ABOUT
the coffin.
the casket attired in sackcloth. Before
the screen was cushion where the chi
nese callers made prostrattons. The MIN.
listers. however, stepped forward singly
and bowed low. The dean Of the diplo-
matte corps read an address Of sympathy.
10 which the oldest son Of the deceased
statesman replied in Chinese. the young
lish. The scene about the yamen was ami
mated and picturesque. Hundreds OF off-
Gals were present in their robes OF office.
Mounted retainers are arriving daily from
all parts OF the province.
Shao Is Minister Wu's Friend.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-Minister WI
Ting Fang has received from Picking an
official notification of the death OF Ii
Hung Chang. 1t is said at the Chinese
legation that Minister WI has not been
informed of his reported relief as Chi
nese Minister at Washington. AS already
stated, the Minister would not be sur
prised at such news. He has been Minis
ter at Washington since 1897, and I'M
doubtedly would welcome n chance to re-
turn to his native land, although It IS
equally true that he will not want to re-
main there permanently.
The Minister states he has no idea what
post will be assigned him II he should be
recalled from Washington. 1t was said
a short time ago that an important anti, port IL
rendered him. but now all the posts In
that branch of the Government have teen
filed. 1t is felt here that the appoint.
ment of Wang Wen Shao to succeed Ii
Hung Chang as the thrones adviser In
foreign affairs will be beneficial to Wu's
interests.
America Keeps Close Watch.
The State Department never has had
copy of the treaty negotiated by LII Hung
Chang and the Russian agent at Peking
relative to Manchuria. to which reference
was made in the public account of Ii
Hung Changes death. This Government
developments in that quarter. having.
next to Japan. perhaps. larger legtti-
mate interest than any other country
than the two principals to the treaty. AS
negotiations have been proceeding for
months II Is unavoidable that some de-
tails should leak out so that all the pow
ers signatory to the protocol have what
is believed to be a generally accurate
idea OF the scope OF the proposed conven-
ton which has now been blocked by the
death of Ii Hung Chang. Officially this
Government is accepting the Russian
pledge of a purpose to withdraw from
Manchuria in a reasonable time as bona
fide and finds no reason to question the
integrity of the Russian purpose. Mean
while, following a practice inaugurated
five or six years ago, United States
warship the Vicksburg. has been ordered
to winter at Niuchwang. the principal
port of Manchuria.