The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-11-12
Changes In Official Positions Caused
BY Death of China's Prime
Minister.

~ SNoSA~
anese legation secured a reliable out
line of the terms of the treaty and
demanded that the Chinese
plenipotentiaries officially lay before
them the text, basing this demand
upon the allegation that Japanese in
were involved in any change
of the status of Manchuria. The Chi
nese plenipotentiaries refused to com
ply with the demand. Thereupon the
Japanese government from Toxic COM
municated with the southern v%iceroys
and induced them to use their iniu-
ence with the empress dowager
against the treaty.
In the meantime the empress dowa-
ger instructed Ii Hung Chang to com
municate the treaty after certain mod
ifications, to the ministers of the
powers, and, if they did not object, to
sign the same.
Lii Huns Chang visited M. Lesser
and explained to him the instructions.
The Russian minister strongly object
ed to revealing the text of the treaty
to the ministers of the other powers
and another stormy interview ensued,
Ii Hung Chang went home in a vio-
lent passion and had a hemorrhage
which the doctors attribute to the
over exertion of a weakened system.
While these things were happening
in Pekin the southern %viceroys sent
to the empress dowager a memorial
against the treaty. On receiving it
she telegraphed to Ii Hung Chang.
countermanding the order to sign.
When M. Lessar endeavored to have
Ii Hung Changes seal affixed to the
treaty, Chou Flu, provincial treasurer,
had arrived from Pao Ting Flu, and
taken charge Of the seals as the tenn
porary successor Of Earl Ii.
The flag Of the United States lega-
ton was the only n half masted
in Pekin today.
The mourners and the family of Ii
Hung Chang will burn paper offerings
tomorrow, in accordance with custom,
for the use of his spirit in the other
world. The street is hung with mourn
ing emblems. All the attendants at
the Yamen are richly attired and
many of them gaudily dressed. To.
day musicians beat drums about the
house.
Lii Hung Changes estate will remain
intact for the use of his eldest son
who will provide for the other mem
hers Of the family.
Yuan Shi Kais, successor to the
%governship of the province of Shar
Tung is an unknown man., who has
been holding an ~unimportant though
lucrative position as grain commits
sioner in n of the inland towns o.
the provinces. He will be watched
with the deepest solicitude as thu
peace of China will largely depend
, upon his course.
Wang Wen Shao. who is "a years o
: age, and deaf, was never rated as
statesman or a diplomasist. His ap
; pointment is probably temporary.
Telegraphic communication wit
! Prince Ching was obtained today. HI
7 is Fastening to meet the court. Afte
I consultation he will return with WAN
Wen Shao, who is accompanying tn
) court which is now five days journe
e from Kai Fong Ku.
Emperor Kawangs, report says, !
y assuming the lead of the imperis
court on horseback. Native paper
declare that he proposes to inaugl
e rate a revival of the military spiri
q assuming the position of commando,
in-chief and wearing a uniform. The
" alos assert that he will compel tn
d mobiles to follow his example, to TAX
d military Lcsitions and to study mil
1t tar:,' science.
A private letter from IN Europea
n now in Tai Yuen Flu says that tW
IS British officers with a party OF India
n soldiers encountered the imperial pr
c%ession, were suspected of unfrien
ly motives and were detained as pri
oners by the emperor's bodyguard Il
a few days. Apparently this was a
" exploring party, commanded by Majt
Manifold and Captain Hunter, WI
a have been operating in that region +
some time.