The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-24
CHINESE OBTAIN
TIGHTER GRASP
UPON MANCHURIA
Sir Chentung'S Promo
ton Analysed by
Diplomats.
Chinese Educated Here
Are Advancing to
Influence.

That leading progressive Cantonese
statesmen who have been modernized
by education in the principal universities
of the United States and within recent
months have been elevated to a stage of
powerful influence with the Manchu
dynasty are carefully and surely carry
ing out their well-laid plans to obtain
a tighter hold upon Manchuria and to be
able TO offer strong resistance against
further foreign ACKNOWLEDGMENT of terri
tory on the part of Germany, Japan, or
any other country and to develop closer
and more sympathetic-relau with the
United States, has developed as the real
significance of the important promo
ton OF Sir Chentung Liaug-Cheng, min
lister to Washington.
This light on the appointment of the
popular minister TO one OF the highest
posts in the foreign Office, is given by
officials of the state Department and
European members of the local Diplo-
matte Corps who have closely studied
the political evolution Of reform in the
Chinese empire.
Re-entering Hdnchuria.
The promotion of Sir Chenuung, It is
learned here. hinges directly upon the
re-entering of Manchuria by the Chinese
government upon the complete evacua-
ton of that territory by both the Rus
sian and Japanese armies Sir Chen
tung is TO be made junior vice president
Of Wal WI Pu, which is next TO that
Of foreign minister and is really a high
assistant secretary OF state, with the
duties of president OF the board Of for
eign affairs and comptroller general Of
maritime customs. He VIII be succeeded
as minister to Washington by LANG
Tun-yen, who is customs taotai, at Tien-
tsin. which Office is next to that Of
viCeToy.
The incumbent of the office which Sir
ChentJng is 10 MI, is Tang Shao-y.
who viii be sent TO ManChurIa as gov
ernOr Of the province of Mukden, the
most important of the three pOTNlnCes
Of that territory. The other Two viii be
filed by Cantonese. educated in this
country ana Europe, while at the head
or the new form Of government IS
Yuan Shih-kai. the well-known organ
ser of the native military forces Of
north China, and at present VicerOy Of
the province of chile These appoint
ments aye all being made following the
issuance of the imperial edict proclaim
ing new form of gOverIpnent for
MancluTia.
High Honor for Sir Chentu1g.
The Importance of the transfer OF Min
lister Lang heng TO the foreign ofice
al Pekins may be appreciated by the
honor TO him thaC it carries. Sir Chen
tung succeeded WI Ting-fang as min
lister 10 Washington four years ago
next June. Thu policy of the govern
mcnt has been not 10 station a min
lister in any country longer than three
years, and a year ago at this time Il
was rumoTed there would be change
in the Chinese legation The internal
situation was Il delicate enc at that
time, this and European governments
having prepared for possible outbreaks,
as a result Of the boycott against Amer
lean goods, and Sir Chentung. having
well established himself in the favor
OF the American Government was ask
ed to break precedent and remain in
definitely. Last fan the minister 8
mother died, and, according 10 the Gus
tom Of his country, he should have
rendered his resignation and gone into
private life, for complete mourning for
a period Of three years. His resignation
was rendered. but il was declined, on
Inc ground that his presence was bad
" needed here, and, by imperial decree.
Ine minister was allowed TO commute
his period of official mourning to a ne
flod of forty days.
This is only the fourth or fifth in
when n diplomatic OF other high official
has been promoted when in a period
Of mourning
Sir Chentung's Successor.
LANG Tun-yen Who viii succeed Sir
Chentung, is new in the diplomatic serv-
ice, but he has had a long record Of i'm
portant government work and has long
been known to Washington officials.
Charles DENLY, chief clerk OF the State
Department, who has been promoted as
consul general TO Shanghai. knew the
new minister intimately in China for
several years.
LANG Tun-yen is a highly capable Of
fetal and won a high reputation not only
with his government but with the for
eigners in Teintsin," said Mr.. DENLY.
His position as customs taotaf is diff
ficult to compare with any American Of
fee II is more than merely customs
collector being a sort of important fiscal
agent and the position is next to that
Of the governor of the province. He is a
graduate Of Yale, is most gentlemanly
IN manner, is a man of important pri-
vate affairs and was the right-hand man
OF Niceroy Chang Chih-tUng at Handok
for many years. He displayed remark
able intelligence. and his duties TO q
great extent we're dealing with foreign
.ers
He was appointed to his present Of
fee in 1904, under Yuan Shih?kai. with