The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-12
Gen. Edmond F. English
Established at YanktOn,
s. d., as American
Member rofGenera/S Staff
gImberra/Ret Forces
CAPT. w. e. English, Of
THIS Csty, ReceiUes Let
te,s Asking Information
Of Volunteer Officers in
Sbanfsh-Ame,rcan War
w. I. Holly, Prominent
Railroad Official, Says
HIS Company Is Work
ing TO Secure Contract
for Transportation

1t has been definitely ascertained that his
Imperial Highness Prince Pu Lun. now Wis
iting the United States as commissioner
to the st. Louis exposition, is also here for
the purpose of obtaining an entire staff of
American soldiers as officers for the new
Chinese imperial reform army.
The prince. who will be in indianapolis
next week, is direct representative of her
imperial Majesty the dowager Empress OF
China. He comes armed with full author
ity, and his plans 10 officer the entire
reformed Chinese army with Americans.
Captain William Z. English. of this city.
has received a personal letter from Brig
adler General Edmond F. English, of Yank-
ton, s. d. giving full exposition of the
plan. The latter is the American member
of the Chinese general staff He is sending
out invitations to every officer of volunteers
who served in the late war with Spain.
asking them accept commissions in the
new Chinese army.
Mr.. w. T. Holly, travelling passenger
agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, the
Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company
and the Southern Pacific & Mexican In
ternational Railway Company. passed
through the city Tuesday and gave to a
Journal representative facts concerning the
contract for the transportation of the Off
GERS. His company will bid for the trans
portation of the officers TO San Francisco
and from San Francisco to Hong-Kong. Mr.
Holly cabled yesterday from Cincinnati To
Mr.. Henry Chwang, the companys repre-
sentative in Hong-Kong instructing him to
bid for the carrying of the Americans. The
bid will be made with the expectation OF
transporting at least 5000 officers.
ACTING FOR PtT LJJN.
Mr.. Holly said that General English, with
! headquarters at Yankton. is acting for
Prince Pu Lun He stated that General Eng
lish had sent letters to prominent officials OF
the three Spanish-American war veterans
associations, recently combined. asking for
the names of men who had held commits
sions in the volunteer army who might be
induced TO accept commissions in the Chi
nese army. 1t is known that in these COM
munications General English acknowledges
his appointment by the commander of The
Chinese imperial reform army it's repre-
sentative in the United States. He states
that all officers will receive the same pay
according to their rank as that given by
the United States government No offers
for enlisted men are made, as they will
be all Chinese. An offer of free transporta-
tfon to China is made to all who receive
| the Emperor's commission in the modern
made that they will not lose their citizen
ship in the United States.
Mr.. Holly said that Capt. w. Z. English
prominent officer of the United Span
| ish War Veterans. had undoubtedly re-
/ ceived a communication from General Eng
| lish.
| Captain English, when asked whether he
| had received a letter from General English
| at Yankton, evinced surprise that the mat
| ter had become public but admitted that
such a communication had reached him.
addressed to him as the commander-in-
chief of the Spansh-Americ War Vet
| Grams. Captain English said the letter
| stated that the writer had addressed him
because he desired to get in touch with Of
| ficers of the Spanish-American war who
were members of his organization. Capt.
| English refused to make this letter public,
| but admitted that Its contents were in eff
k feet in accordance with the Information
| obtained by the Journal. He added: Il do
| not knog General English personally aud
am in no way related to him suppose re
wrote to solely because of my connec-
ton with the Spanish war veterans or
ganiZation."
Captain English consented TO make pub
| lie second letter from General English.
in which the latter expressed the hope that
the recipient will meet Prince Pu Lun dur
| ing the latter's visit to Indianapolis. The
| letter follows:
Chinese Imperial Reform Army,
General Staff
"Yankton, S. D.. 4-26-1s0l.
| Captain William +. English:
| Dear Sir-I notice by press dispatches
| that his Imperial iighness. Pu Lun, chief
| of the Worlds Fair Chinese Commission
/ will visit your city on May IS and / be-
! Speak for the PRINCE a hearty welcome.
| His Highness is next In succession TO His
| Majesty kwang Hsu. the present Emperor
| of all China. The prince Is very demo-
1 cratic, easily approached and a splendid
| man. His English instructor, Wong Kai
/ Kah is a graduate of Yale. wears a dozen
| gold stars and orders from all nations.
| | expect to have the pleasure OF meeting
| them both in ST Louis later. i thank you
/ in advance for the rousing reception which
4 foil lnx will nrd
| resentative of the oldest nation, well
| as the largest on the face Of the globe.
| The impressions Of Americans he will take
/ commercially well as politically.
Il am sir, very truly,
| edmond T. ENGLISH"
| Capt. William r. English ridiculed the
| idea that he would for "A moment think OF
accepting a commission for himself In the
| Chinese army, no matter how flattering the
/ inducement. However. this may be q
| chance for young volunteers who got
taste OF fighting during the Spanish
| General English says they Will receive the
best of treatment. and those who are clever
and in earnest will advance rapidly. l sup
| pose il is no disgrace for anybody 10 accept
| a commission IN the Chinese army, provid-
| ing he has no obligations 10 his own gov-
ernment or country AS for myself, how
ever. the idea is impossible. and IL should
| ever draw sword in defense OF any banner
IL must be for old Glory.
TO IMPROVE CHINESE ARMY.
During the recent Boxer troubles in the
| Flowery Kingdom. the Empress Is said TO
have been greatly displeased with the poor
showing made by the Chinese troops. The
plan of having the entire Chinese army
officered by American soldiers was pre-
sented TO her by member OF the Cabinet
and forthwith Prince Pu Lun was given
instructions by the Empress before leaving
his home TO OFFER commissions 10 as many
faa rff.an hn ka-I
| commissions in the Spanish-Ameriean war
as could possibly sign
Ii is said that some OF the other menu