The National tribune., 1903-03-12
Ii HUNG cnANos.s SUCCESSOR.

Ii HUNG cHANGS'S SUCCESSOR.
Gossip Abou. Chang Chin Tuns. the Grand
Old Nan Of China.
(Argonaut.)
Since the death Of Ii Hung Chang, the
most interesting man in China is unde-
hiably Chang Chin Tung. In the first
place. his fame is probably due to the fact
that he has in his gift such a large num-
Der Of silk-lined positions. Power always
commands enthusiasm, IL not respect.
But, further, his individual character
forces attention because it is strenuous
"a rare happening among Chinese off,
ials-and honest, or comparatively So He
has three qualities-initiative, energy and
persua il he were a COM
mercial traveller, would make him Of in
estimable value to enterprising firms.
More than Go years old small, lean, and
delicate-looking, he is still able to do an
amount of work which the majority OF
young men would balk at. No later than
week ago he gave fresh proof of his
wonderful endurance and vigor. The
anxiety and labor of the commercial treaty
with Sir James Mackay was no sooner
over than he turned his attention to the
military college at Marking, founded by
Liu Kun Yih, and organized examna-
tions, reviews and parades. The college
instructors, like the other foreigners who
have come in contact with him. were sur
prised at his thoroughnesS. The old Vice
roy insisted on seeing every detail for
himself
During the night before the biggest
parade was to take place, heavy fall Of
snow made the ground almost impossible.
The following morning the thermometer
still stood below freezing point Chang
Chin Tung sent word to the instructors
of the college that, if the weather was to-
severe for them. he would be satisfied to
change the review into an indoor examin-
alton. However, at the same time, he
gave them to understand that the cold
was healthy. Naturally, the review went
on. A tent had been erected for Chang
Chih lung, but he refused to go under
shelter, saying that what was fit for his
students was fit for him. From o a. m.
till p. m. the old man trudged over the
wet, cold ground; directing. criticising,
experimenting. His wiry, alert figure,
dressed in the superb. long sable coat
which a Chinese nobleman invariably
wears in Winter, was to be seen every
where. Nothing was taken for granted,
or on the information of his subordinates.
Chang Chih Tung knows his own country
men too well to trust them. Whether
this exceeding earnestness of purpose finds
favor in Court circles is doubtful In
fact. high Chinese officials declare that the
Pekin party has for some time been
patiently waiting an excuse to remove
its too Jealous colleague from his post,
and at last decent reason has appeared.
When Yuan Shih Kai, the famous Cen
eral who poses for the progressive and
popular man with the powers, and pri-
yately keeps spare ace up his sleeve,
passed through Marking, he was given a
splendid banquet by the Viceroy Chang.
In the middle of dinner, Just, rumor says,
as Yuan was about to open up an i'm
pOrtant dynastic discussion, which was
the real object of his visit, old Chang
Chin Tung fell asleep. Yuan purpled
with fury at what he was pleased to re-
gard as an insult, and ordered the old
gentleman walked at once. But nobody
would disturb him, though his officials
made profuse apologies. Their master,
they SAID, had been much worried by pub
lie business. His responsibilities often
prevented him from sleeping at night. He
was accustomed frequently to work until
daylight and to snatch rest when he could.
Therefore they might not wake him.
Whereupon Yuan Shih Kai, in pet,
stalked out of the hall, the banquet broke
up. and poor Chang finished his untimely
nap in comfort. Yuan poured into the
susceptible ear of the Empress Dowager
the story of the slight he had received.
Wherefore, the fate of the venerable Vice
roy hangs in the balance. 5s....,s,Ns
Yet, whatever reward the Court metes
out to him, whether he is degraded to sat
isfy the whim of the man who. in his
turn must make a target for '.the sings
and arrows of outrageous fortune" or
whether by his past excellences he as
capes official ruin, his bygone services to
the state remain bright and shining.
Chang Chin Tung is the man who has
organized model province; who has
drilled the best troops and the most eff
ficient police; who has stolen least public
money Though some people say his ac-
counts could never be taken over by an
other man, He and his colleague, Liu
Kun Yih. together, kept the Yangtze Val
ley in leash during violent 1900. and the
same partnership gained China her mani
fold advantages in the British CONNER
cial treaty. They stood against Sir james
Mackay-a Scotchman, and an extra
obstinate one at that. They stood firm
against him, and they were not buliied,
which is more than any other two men
who came in contact with him can say.
When every other argument failed, when
vituperation or decision threatened, Chang
Chin Tung quietly went to sleep. The
bursting of a soda-siphon would not have
walked him. Opportunity makes some
men great, but some great men force OPP
portunity. Who can deny that the old
Viceroy is great?