Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-14

about So, 100000 in American money He
owned large tracts OF land in An-hui prov
inee and in Canton. much OF which Is de-
voted to the cultivation Of peoples.
He was largely interested in the manu-
facture of opium and had pawnshops In al
most every city OF the empire. At least
one-third OF his capital is said to have
been employed In the pawnbroker's bust
ness by his agents. He was a large owner
OF stock in the Hongkong and Shanghai
Bank. which Is the heaviest financial in
stitution in the east and pays enormous
dividends. He had considerable interest
in the Russo Chinese Bank, established
with capital furnished by the Russian gov
eminent, and in similar institution estab-
liShed by Germany.
1t Is intimated by those who know best
that this stock was given to him In ex-
change for Information, advice and in
fuence. He owned the controlling interests
in the most productive coal mines In China,
which lie about eight miles north of Tien-
Tsin. and ne owned the railroad that runs
between them and that city. He held the
controlling interest in steamship company
doing profitable coasting trade along from
Vladivostok to Hongkong. and his money
was invested in various other profitable en-
terprises. The larger part of his estate
was equally divided between Lord Ii,
the Marquis Ii and Prince Li'-his three
sons.
Mysterious Disappearance of Biography
Mr.. Pethick, an American gentleman who
Aoi lWCHty years was tie CtEt1uontldl sec
rotary of Ii Hung Chang, spent the last
two years of his life writing a biography
of his patron from material which he had
been collecting for years. The subject of
the memoirs was to be treated from an
American standpoint, and 1t Is said that
the manuscript II published would have
been an invaluable contribution to history,
but was not entirely flattering to the great
men who have been in control Of the gov
eminent Of China for the last quarter of a
century. No one was more competent to
write on the events in China during that
period than Mr.. Pethick. Because Of his
intimate relations with Earl Ii he was a
close observer II not an actual participant
In almost every event and episode that
has occurred in Picking for a quarter of a
century, and what he did not observe per-
sonally he learned all about from his en-
pioyer. He kept diary all the time, and
accumulated vast quantity of other man.
uscript material. He had access to all Of
Ii Hung Changes papers also, and was a
careful thorough and intelligent writer as
multftudes who have read his occasional
contributions to American periodicals can
testify. There was no man in China or
elsewhere more competent than Mr.. Pc
thick to write full and accurate history
OF the period in which Ii Hung Chang par
ticlpated, and from what his friends know
ms work was thorough and complete. But
the manuscript has mysteriously disap-
peared.
Mr.. Pethick was a bachelor He was Ill
Tor a long time before his death and his
friends among the Chinese, as we'll as
among the foreign colony, were in the habit
OF visiting his rooms frequently and famiI-
iariy hundred people knew that he was
writing the book and that it was practi-
eally completed before he was taken Ill.
They were aware also of the character OF
the manuscript and realized the sensation
that Its publication would create. The SUBJ
ject was frequently discussed In the clubs
of Picking, Tien-Tsin and Shanghai.
Various Conjectures.
Nobody in particular looked after MFR.
Pethick's affairs during his illness. al
though his many friends were constantly
around him and gave him the best Of care.
After his death the manuscript could not
be found, nor has any one been able to Sc
cure trace Of 1t since. His executors have
made thorough inquiries without gaining
any satisfactory explanation. Every line |
ne had written concerning Ii Hung Chang |
mas completely vanished. Some people think
the manuscript and material upon which 1t |
was based was stolen from Mr.. Pethicks |
desk by persons who intend to sell 1T or use !!
1t for blackmail; Others try to believe that |
some friend took charge of 1t as precious |
relic and will some time bring 1t to light: a /
few are Of the opinion that during his III 1
ness Mr. Pethick confided his papers to i
some Trustworthy person to be held until l
some appropriate time for publication. hut
more believe, that one or the sons or LII
Hung Chang or some member or MS or
dcial family who are aware OF the charao-
ter Of the manuscript cenfiscated and prob
ably DESTROYED IT because 1t contained too
much truth more truth than the reputa-
tfon of II uun. chang could endure