The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-24
The Yale Man Who Is the Hope of the Chinese Pro- 
 gressives.
BETWEEN RIVAL FACTIONS
As Vice-President of the Foreign Of- flee He Has Great
 Power.

ence of a former Yale student the hopes of the progressives of China are just now centered. The sincere advo- cates of practical reform in the Elm pire believe that the success Of the present administration at Pekin, which has brought into first place the two long rivals, Chang Chi-tung and Yuan Shih-kai, must depend in very great measure upon one man. and that man is Liang Tun Yen, of the class of 'S2 at Yale.
 Of the younger element of Chinese fficialdom-comprised as it is, large ly of men who were among the first to be sent to the United States for their education-which is gradually but certainly coming into control of the affairs of China, His Excellency Liang Tun Yen now holds the most important post in the national gov ernment As vice. president of the Wal wu-pu (Foreign Office) he is largely the controlling influence in that most important body, since the other mem- bers are high officials who also hold other important posts-it being the Chinese way to put upon the highest officials great variety of duties.
 MT. Liang, as American democracy would call him. was first selected to succeed Sir Chentung as Minister at Washington, but, much to his person. al disappointment, Yuan Shih-kai in sisted that the greater need for his services was in his present post at Pekin, which can be readily under stood and appreciated by those fam ilar with the critical status of China's foreign relations as vewed from the Chinese standpoint. To send MT. Liang to diplomatic post at this crisis would be much as if MT. Hay had been shifted to some soft and easy diplomatic job at the time the "open door, negotiations were in the forrna- tive stage. with this great difference: While the United States has never had difficulty in finding well equipped men for high governmental posts. China is in sore need of able men with world knowledge. and realizes this need.
 It is not, however, his official posi- tion that makes Mir. Liangs presence at Pekin so valuable as it is his per sonality and the peculiar relationship he bears to the heads of the two great political forces constantly striving for supreme control with the imperial government.
 Despite the theories and the predc- tiors of optimists who hoped that the coincident calling of the two great Chinese viceroys, Chang and Yuan in- to the Supreme Council would result in willing and hearty CO., operation be- tween them, Pekin shows two rival po- litical camps just as distinct as would follow from some such experiment as giving Mark Hanna and William J. Bryan positions of equal power in a cabinet at Washington--or Taft and a Foraker.
 Yuan Shih-kai and Chang Chi-tung are both able, patriotic men, both Chinese, in contradistinction to the Canchus. Beth are doubtless sincere in their desire to do what is right for China, but they represent two distinct schools of thought-Chang the con- servative and Yuan the progressive. Beyond and above this, however. there is the important consideration that they have been long time rivals and long time political enemies. Chang, the older man. regards Yuan as a mere grabber of offices for his fol- lowers. and, although he himself has progressed nightly in the last ten or fifteen years. looks askance at Yuan's suggestions for reforms of progress sive nature.
 Yuan, on the other hand, looks upon Chang as back number" to use a popular Americanism, and. more than this, he carries deep down in the re- cesses of his Oriental heart grudge that will never be effaced. It is related that once in the early days of Yuans coming into power he called upon Chang to discuss some matter of great importance. Chang, then a powerful Viceroy, conceived a dislike for his caller. and while the latter was talk ing deliberately yawned and went to sleep, Thus was administered a blow in the face of the younger man which the latter will never forgive so long as life lasts.
 It is easy to understand that in the camps of both these strong leaders there are lieutenants who for the pen- eft of their own political aspirations are ever ready to play'upo the preju- dices of each without regard to the other The one man in a responsible position who enjoys the complete con- fdence of both Chang and Yuan is Liang Tun-yen.
 For number of years I.iang was private secretary of Chang Chi-tung and in this capacity became his most trusted adviser. Later he went into tho Yuan camp as customs taotai at Tien- tsin, and his relations with the ther Viceroy of Chila have since been most confidential Both Chang and Yuar have great respect for Liang's char. acter and ability and place much con. fidence in him.
 That he has been able, in view of tho political strife which has made wrecl of so many ambitions and aspiration. during the past decade, to retain thu friendship and confidence of these two great rivals is the highest possible evi dence of Liang's diplomatic ability. Al China bears willing testimony that thi confidence is not misplaced, as it bear equally strong testimony to the integ rity and personal honesty of the mal himself.
 At Hankow, where Chang Chi-tun, was long Viceroy, story is told tha gives an insight into Liang's charac ter and methods. It runs this way:
 The negotiations for the construction of some one of the big industrial en terprises established under Chang direction there were turned over t Liang. After the terms had beel agreed upon and the contract dull made the representative of the for eign interests who made the contrac