Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-07
Change in IL Appearance Of the
Chh@e Statesman.
REhEMBRAHeBoF rHEUNlqED
Does Not Believe America Wants
Territory in China.
TR ABE IN THE FUTURE
Special Correspo ndence Of The Evening Star.

| Aiosl saiu as much the other day, when
your correspondent had an altogether too
brief a chat with him. 1 did not start out
| with the idea of obtaining from the willy
old man any statement of national or in.
ternational import, but rather to remind
him that once before In life had met and
talked with him.. to see how this greatest
! OF Chlnese statesmen was carrying his
years. and incidentally to ask him what he
| thousht or American participation in the
| occupation of China
| In these troublous times the old man is
a difficult problem to the interviewer Po-
| itfeally he has been between many devils
| ana many deep since the fanatical
Boxers set the ball a rolling in China. He
| mas never known just where he stood. All
| the ground about him has been of danger
GUS and uncertain formation, and the
| famous Viceroy of Pechili had good cause
to believe that If he "opened his mouth he
| would put his foot in it, That Lord Ii
knew a movement against foreigners was
impending, and that he could have greatly
| influenced the leaders of that movement SO
| as to have prevented an outbreak, is the
belief OF the well-posted diplomats here
| That he Is also the firm friend of Russia is
believed In most quarters and virtually ac-
| knoWledged by himself. These are the only
| two important things that the politically
| wise claim to know about Ii Hung Chang
| He declares, in fact declared to me over
and over the other day, that all the inter-
| views In which he was credited with giving
| vent to his political views were spurious
| and without base.
A Talk With Lord Ii.
| At the very outset I told Lii that 1 was
| not seeking an expression of opinion on
| Chinese affairs, and it seemed to please
| him very much. He acknowledged my two
messages to him at Tien Tsin upon the
occasion Of General Chaffee's journey to
| meet him, but he said he had not had OPP
portunity even to reply to my notes. Re-
| ceiving no answer to my messages 1 went
| to Tien Tsn, but the viceroy was too busy
| with people who had pressing business
| with him and was not to be seen by ordi-
nary mortals. -,
When 1 saw Ii he was awaiting at the
| Russian embassy the arrival of the cars
| special military representative. Gen. None
| raf. Only a few persons were around the
embassy. for 1t was not known that the
viceroy was in the city, and the day was
| the coolest. with the most bitter =yind, of
| the season He came in carriage alone
ana was attended only by two of his Shang-
| hal official hOusehold-one of whom LII Pr
| Lam L had met before. Ian acted as In
| teroreter. Il 81 81
"Oh course 1 remember Philadelphia"
| he said, in answer to my question, but
must say that I cannot recall you" This
was more frankness than | had expected
| to find. and i could only hope that he
might display, equal candor when he should
reply to some of the other questions had
up my sleeve for him. '.-
Remembran of the United States,
Yes" he went on. II greatly enjoyed my
visit to Philadelphia, and I cannot soon
forget the many kndnesses that were
shown me. recall above all things the
old bell. and | remember quite a good deal
of the history attached to its preservation.
l was surprised that you Americans should
consider it an ancient relic but then | can
scarcely become accustomed to the fact
That your great country has known but a
little over century of political life. |
really cannot cease wondering at this mar
vel OF all nations. Just to think that Amer
lea stands foremost among all countries
and yet the old bell in Philadelphia rang
out the independence of the people hut
hundred years or so ago. My visit to .he
United States was among the most pleasing
events of my life. When l left | promised
to return again. and it was my real de-
sire to do But times have changed
somewhat. and additional years have made
X quite impossible to ever again take
long journey, at least without my own
country.
There was something pathetic in the last
words spoken by the great viceroy His
face changed somewhat and his deep hazel
eyes were turned away for the moment
He referred to China as his ''own country
with curious. hesitation, that seemed I'M
pSSoHiiiis " tile HOSl powerful
in the world. 1t was plain that the old man
felt keenly the fact that China was in the
full possession OF the hated foreigner and
that the great empire which had known
glory long thousands Of years before Chris
tianity beamed on the earth was now pros
trate-the toy Of strong hands.
His Present Plans.
What are my present plans? l am as
yet unable to say what duties l may be
called upon to perform. OF course 1 will
use my best endeavors to restore peace in
my country; but this is bordering on poll
tics. and l must ask yop to excuse me in
that direction"
There is but one more question I would
like to ask your excellency," I said. and
without waiting for his assent I asked:
What do you think Of the future Of the
United States in the far east without in
Guiding politics in the consideration"
THAT question: he answered quickly.
also borders on political affairs But 1 pre-
sumo your country will retain possession
it requires extraordinary wisdom to
foresee the future of the United States, not
alone in Asia, but in other quarters of the
globe. Ny own country, after the arrange
ment of the present troubles, will present
a good market. Of the reciprocal kind for
Americans. This is all care to say"
AS the viceroy arose and was about to
leave the room -ventured one more uues-
ton:
No Territorial Acknowledgements
Does your excellency think the United
States has territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT in
view in China.?"
NO. %, ,hj
His answer was firm and there could be
no doubt that the one word expressed his
honest belief. q 1t sounded that way.
Correspondents here who had not the op-
portunity of seeing Lord Ii when he WIS.,
tied the United States five years ago have
cabled and written how vigorous the old
man appeared cbut they could not judge by
comparison. 1 had the pleasure Of accom-
panying him on his train in the United
States for nearly a. hundred miles and had
a fair chance1sto study him. In the Ave
years intervening he has changed greatly.
His form Is OF the same stalwart build, of
course, but he walks lame, his voice is
weak and there Is a. peculiar sadness about
his face. No doubt the troubles of his coun-
try are gnawfng attfhe old mans heart
Pledged by Citizens of Seattle.
The Navy Department has been informed
that the citizens Of Seattle have pledged
themselves 10 raise fund of 500. 900 to be
paid to Moran Bros, the local shipbuildng
concern IN enable them to accent the nro.