The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-06-27
TALK WITH II HUNG CHANG
AN ENGLISH CORRESP SPONDENI GETS FROM HIM THE CHINESE
Idea of the situation and Outlook.

king; even the ministers themselves rarely meet him, and in consequence of this the invitation which he extended to me was more than usually kind, and altogether typical of the consideration which he still prefers to show to for eigners. Indeed, your correspondent is the only journalist who has been per- mitted to see Ii Hung Chang for very many months, since MT. Tseng, son of the famous Marquis Tseng, who is one of the private secretaries to the vice. roy, receives callers.
 Lii, after complimenting me upon the character of the paper which l have the honor to represent requested me to give him news. I pointed out that it was impossible for me to tell him any thing with which he was not already acquainted, and begged him to give me news. Whereupon Iii remarked that if we each asked the other for informa- tion the interview would be disastrous.
 Ask his Excelency for news of the courts return" said I to MT. Tseng.
 Ii blew a mouthful of smoke through his teeth before replying. "The court will not return until the province is evacuated by the alies," he said pres- ently.
 Does he not mean until the capital is evacuated?" asked l.
 Province of Chihli and, of course, the capital" said Lii.
 Tell him that it is unnecessary for the court to return so long as he has the administration of affairs but that 1t is also necessary to keep troops in the capital and province to assist him." ''The foreign soldiers keep order very we'll" remarked Lii.
 What soldiers does his excellency think the best?' I asked.
 What soldiers does his excellency think the best?" I asked.
 His excellency thinks that the Turks make the best soldiers" was the diplo- matic reply.
 His excellency wants the court to return; he says he is an old man, and that the powers are keeping him from the comforts of his old age"
 He is indeed wonderful old man, and the world admires his ability We have old men in England at the head of government, but his excellency must have dealized that they are very fool
 
 They don't seem to know much about China" said Ii. Tell me about Lord Lansdowne: will he help China, or will the policy of Great Britain be the usual empty phrases?'
 Great Britain will of course help China" said l. eff China shows that she is sincere in her desire for such as- sistance."
 How will Great Britain help China deeds or words?" said Lii, scornfully throwing up his hands. China wants so much more than words. Great Bri- tain will not help China. How can she when she cannot even protect her own interests in China?"
 China will find that Great Britain can even now assist to maintain the in tegrity of the Chinese empire, but will his excelleney reject the agreement?'
 China does not wish to sign any such agreement; but if Russia forces her, what can she do? Europe pro- tests to China, who is within the grasp of Russia-why not protest to Russia? China does not want these agreements with Russia"
 His excellency must have expected the present development in the situa- tion. What has he done to check it?'
 His excellency says that he will not entertain the agreement, but it is i'm possible to stop Russia. China may save face by rejecting the demands at the present, but Russia will make Chi na accept them by and by"
 'Is it true that Prince Tuan has been banished to Mukden?"
 1tT0. T said the viceroy.
 "Why was he not executed?' I asked
 Tt is against the laws of China to execute prince of the blood" said Lii.
 But the present Dowager Empress executed an imperial prince in the last rebellion" said I, tentatively.
 He was fighting against the gavern- ment," explained the viceroy.
 Then as Prince Tuan was fighting for the government, the Dowager Em- press must have combined with him in the attack upon the legations" Ii said nothing for moment, when Mr. Tseng remarked
 His excellency says that the oran- ges upon the table came from Canton." Please tell his excellency," said I, | "that, since he admits the complicity of the Dowager Empress with the wanton | outrages of Prince Tuan, he must also admit that China, in view of her acts merits little consideration from the powers"
 ''ais excellency says that it is a very big question, and he knows noth- ing about it''
 Does the viceroy think that reforms will be introduced in China?" I asked There are many things which can be introduced into China certain features of western science would be advanta- geous and suited to the Chinese Chi na Is very big and it will take q long time, but many changes are already being considered more especially edu- cational and fiscal. The old methods of education are not adapted to the ways of foreigners, and, as I am anxious to enable my fellow -countrymen to under stand more about the outside world, foreign education will be introduced where 1t is calculated to be of use. Foreigners must understand that l am an old man, a very old man, and that I cannot myself see to these affairs so readily as I should have done a few arr rrn