Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-11-23

Official announcement of the death
Of Ii Hung Chang was received In
Washington the other morning. The
news caused sincere regret among OH
Gals of the administration, who have
regarded Earl ii as one OF the great
characters of the world. Mr.. W. w
Rockhill. just returned from Picking.
where he served as special commission
er of the United States, enjoyed most
friendly relations with the Chinese en-
voy. Speaking of Ii. Mr.. Rockhill said
to a New York Herald reporter:
Earl Ii had a longer and more thor
ough knowledge CT foreign affairs than
any other Chinaman. In the early six
ties he was the only high official that
advocated closer relations with foreign
nations and the adoption of western
methods and western ideas Ever since
then he has been identified with the
conduct of the foreign relations of Chi
IA. His frankneSs in conversation ana
in his dealings with foreigners with
whom lie was thrown in contact made
him much more acceptable to the west
as the representative of China than
other officials who had more of the pc
cuiiar mannerisms of their race.
His memory was simply astonish-
ing. and ii often stood him in good
stead. Not even the remotest details
in events occurring years before es-
capped him. In his death China loses
patriot and a statesman who ranked
with the great figures of history"
Mr.. H. @. Squiers. who was secretary
of the American legation in China. re-
called many pleasant and interesting
incidents showing the character of Ii
Hung Chang during the four years he
was stationed at Picking.
Earl Ii was always courteous to
Americans said Mr.. Squiers. be
cause as | learned afterward he felt
that Americans were always willing TO
give and take in business transaction
or diplomatic negotiation. One could
not help being impressed with the idea
that he was actually the ruling spirit
in the Chinese empire by his superior
bearing and broad craftsmanship. AL
though every consultation we had with
him had TO be conducted by the aid Of
an Interpretation he spoke only the
Chinese lansuage-he displayed wide
knowledge of foreign and domestic af-
fairs. which carried with it a convic-
ton that he was the dominating spirit
throughout China and virtually all
there was of the tsung Ii yamen-
Earl Ii frequently recalled his visit
to the United States in 1896" added
Mr.. Squiers. and he regarded it as one
of the most pleasing events of his re-
markable career During that trip his
fri 81, no
even further cemented by the many
courtesies he received. 1t made a last
ing impression upon him. and upon his
return to China | observed that he had
adopted certain American mannerisms
in his association with Americans.
For instance. he always greeted Ameri
cans with a cordial grasp of the hand
instead of the oriental salaams which
he employed IN receiving representa-
tives of other foreign nations.
You have probably read of that ia
nous cane he used to carry" said Mr..
Squiers. 1T is a very long staff. high
ly ornamented. and he has carried 1t
for many years. One day. while in his
presence, l had in my hand cheap
little American cane with a somewhat
odd head upon it. 1t caught the vice
roy's fancy, and he proposed an ex-
change. AS he offered to make an even
trade you may imagine my delight at
the bargain | was making. With great
pride | displayed my prize among my
friends and treasured it as one of the
dearest souvenirs of my stay in China.
The next time | met the viceroy be in
formed me that my cane was six inches
too short for him TO use. and under the
circumstances he would have to sug
gest that the trade be reconSidered.
reluctantly returned his historic stick
DR.. Louis Livingston Seaman of New
York. who has an intimate personal
knowledge Of Ii Hung Chang. related
the following anecdote 10 a reporter Of
the New York Times. He said
Iii Hung Chang was always courte-
Gus. but he had 40 patience with the
man that could not take his own part
and that would fail 70 answer him in
the same coin that lie gave. / remem-
Der the incident which brought us to-
gether closer than ever before. 1t was
on a day when we were discussing the
rights Of the United States TO the Phil
ippines. Ii arguing that by right the
islands belonged TO China. Finally be
said that he wanted to know what
right the United States had more than