Evening star., 1901-11-09
EARL Ii IN VIOLENT RAGE
CHINESE STATESMAN'S DEATH HAS
TENED BY A QUARREL.
Had a Dispute With Russian Minister
Over Treaty Regaring
Manchuria.

A dispatch from Pekin yesterday says:
A violent dispute with NJ. Paul Lessar, Rus
sian minister to China, over the Manchu-
rian treaty appears to have been the i'm
mediate cause Of the death of Ii Hung
Chang.
The diplomatic events preceding this
tragic climax have enabled Japan for a
moment to frustrate the designs of Russia.
A fortnight ago the Japanese legation Sc
cured reliable outline of the terms of the
treaty, and thereupon demanded that the
Chinese .pIenipotentiaries officially lay be-
fore them the text, basing this demand
upon the allegation that Japanese interests
We're involved in any change of the status
of Manchuria.
The Chinese plenipotentiaries refused to
comply with the demand. Thereupon the
Japanese government at Tokyo communi-
Gated with the southern viceroys and in
duced them to use their influence with the
empress dowager against the treaty. In
the meantime the empress dowager in
structed Ii Hung Chang to communicate
the treaty, after certain notifications, to
the ministers Of the powers, and if they
did not object to sing the same.
Ii Hung Chang visited NJ. Lessar and ex-
planned to him the instructions. The Rus
sian minister strongly objected to reveal
ing the text of the treaty to the ministers
OF the other powers, and a stormy inter-
view ensued Ii Hung Chang went home
which the doctors attribute to the over
exertion of a weakened system.
While these things were happening In
Pekfn the southern viceroys sent to the
empress dowager a memorial against the
treaty. On receiving it she telegraphed 20
Ii Hung Chang countermanding the order
to sign.
This instruction came after Ii Hung
Chang had become unconscious. When NJ.
LeSSar endeavored to have Ii Hung Chang's
seal affixed to the treaty Chou Flu, provin-
cal treasurer, had arrived from Poa-ting-
fu, and taken charge of the seals as the
temporary successor of Earl Ii.
The flag of the United States legation
was the only one Of the foreign legations
half-masted in Pekin today. The mourn
ers and the family of Ii Hung Chang will
burn paper offerings tomorrow, in accord
in the other world. The street is hung
with mourning emblems All the attend
ants at the yamen are richly attired, and
many of them gaudily dressed. Today mu-
sicians beat drums about the house.
Ii Hung Chang's estate will remain intact
for the use of his eldest son, who will pro-
vide for the other members of the family.
Telegraphic communication with Prince
Ching was obtained today. He Is Fastening
to meet the court. After consultation he
will return with Wang Wen Shao, whe Is
accompanying the court, which is now five
days journey from Kai Fong-fu.
Emperor Kwang Su, report says, is as
serting himself and leading the imperial
cortege on horseback. Native papers de-
clare that he proposes to inaugurate re-
vival Of the military spirit, assuming the
honorary position Of commander-in-chief
and wearing uniform. They also assert
that he will compel the mobiles to follow his
example, to take military positions and to
study military science.
An imperial edict has arrived here ap-