Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-06
INSPECT ARSENAL
Representatives of Imperial
Chinese Army and Navy Pay
a Visit to Rock Island.
ARE THE NATIONS GUESTS
Stop Here and Go Through Shops on
Way to Washington and the
jamestown Exposition.

The visit of the four officers of the
imperial Chinese army and navy at
Rock Island arsenal yesterday proved
of unusual interest to the oriental dig
nataries, and was pleasing event for
the officers of the arsenal. The repre-
lsentatives of the Chinese government,
! Captain Ii Ting-hsin and Lieutenant
Lin Sung-chwang of the imperial Chi
nese navy, and Major Wang Yu-chin
and Captain Wang Yen-pin of the inn
perial army, arrived in Rock Island
| yesterday morning at 5:13 over the
Rock Island from LeavenwOrth, Kas.,
| in the private car, "Bassanio." The
officers We're accompanied by Captain
a. w. Brewster of the 9th United
States infantry, who has been detailed
to act as their guide in the trip across
the country. At 10 o'clock the visitors
took carriages, and drove from their
car, which was placed at the foot Of
Nineteenth street. and went to the ar
senal TO the residence of Colonel S. E.
Blunt, the commandant.
Met by Officers.
The other officers stationed at the ar
senal were present at Colonel Blunt's
residence to meet the guests on their
arrival, and after greetings had been
exchanged the Chinese officers We're
shown through the shops, this inspec-
tion occupying the time until nearly
100. The visitors took the keenest
interest i'll the industrial plant on the
island and in the materials methods of
manufacture, and the products of the
shops. The shops were not in opera
ton, but the operation of the various
machines was explained. Following 9
the visit in the shops the party repair
ed again 10 the cOmmandant'S resi-
dence. where luncheon was served at
1870. In the afternoon the officers OF
the arsenal and their wives gathered
at the residence of Colonel Blunt and
the ladies were presented 10 the visi
tors. After further looking over tho
arsenal grounds. the Chinese represen
tatives repaired to their car at o'clock
the car having been placed cOvenient
ly on the tracks at the arsenal. They
departed at o'clock for Chicago.
Three Speak English.
Three of the dignitaries speak Eng
lish, and Captain Ii Ting-hsin, who is
the ranking officer Of the party, con
verses very fluently in English. His
rank as captain of the navy places hin
Hp ,F ,F Z
, and thus ranking officer of the four
I He is a highly intelligent man. per
haps even to a higher degree than the
others.
{ Wear Dress Uniform.
! The officers appeared at the arsena
t in the uniforms of the imperial Chimes
1 army and navy. of the regulation adop
Il ted two years ago. when the Orienta
+ robes were discarded in favor of Euro
o pean dress. The uniform is blue. an,
. in color and style is very similar t
. that of the United States army officers
! with the exception of the gold-leaf drag
y on emblem which adorns the shoulder
a The fact that the officers wear tn
IL Iqueues and the racial characteristics @
$ features are the marks which GiStiT
guish them from officers of other gov
ernments most readily. for the dress
Q quite similar.
e Reception at Washington.
Y The visitors spent the day today a
It Chicago From there they depart fo
d the east, making stops at West Poin
W and at New York. before going I
n Washington. At Washington the vi
I itOrs are to be rendered an official r.
DJ ceptiOn by Secretary of War Taft, Ma
,e 10. The party will then go to Jane
d town to visit the exposition, which wa
81 their purpose in coming to the Unite
IS States. They are the guests of til
United States government while in tht
country, and are being accorded tn
attention fitting to their position q
representing the army and navy
v China.