The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1908-11-23
Tang Shao vi Lands at San
Francisco.
IS GIVEN ROYAL WELCOME

companied by Cousin of Emperor.
San Francisco, Nov. 23-Convey-
ing to the American government the
gratitude of the Chinese people for
remittance of a debt amounting to
nearly $14,000,00O, Tang Shao vi, a
powerful figure in the affairs of the
Chinese empire, arrived in San Fran
cisco on the steamer Mongolia With
him was Prince Tsai Flu, a member
of the royal family, and a large
retinue.
Thrice in the history Of the Oldest
nation has there arisen occasion for
the appointment of such a commits
sion as is domici.ed in the Fairmont
hotel, and never has a foreign power
been so strongly represented through
diplomatic channels during the period
of a crisis of worldwide Importance
In his honor the dragon flag flew
from the mastheads of a score of YES
sells in the bay, guns mounted on the
harbor front doomed out a salute,
and thousands of his countrymen,
silk-robed or silk-hatted, thronged
the dock where his escort landed.
Not until the Mongolia dropped an
Choir in the harbor did Tang Shao vi
and his staff learn that the dowager
empress of China was dead. In Hon
nj,
emperor's death, but said nothing
about the dangerous illness that
threatened the end of the dowager
empress remarkable career 1t was
only when Hsu Ping Chen the con-
sui general at San Francisco, board
ed the steamer with a score of cable
grams from the far east, flat the dis
tinguished visitor was acquainted
with the full extent of the changes
that had occurred since his depar-
ture. Even the habitual oriental re-
serve did not suffice to conceal his
perturbation, and while dignitaries Of
the state and government awaited
his attention, he scanned messages
apparently unconscious of their pres
ence. In accordance with the edict
of mourning his entire party will re-
main practically secluded during it's
stay of three days in this city, and
the local Chinese colony's arrange
ments for costly banquets and other
forms of entertainment have been
Cancelled. In other respects, however,
the mission of the special embassy
will be fulfilled, and Tang Shao Vi,
with the SO members of his retinue,
will go directly Washington, where
he will remain until after the inaug-
uration Of President-elect William
H. Taft.
Accompanying the high commits
sioner is Prince Tsai Flu, youth of
81, member of the royal family, a
cousin of the late emperor, and him
self the most blue-blooded represen-
tative of his race who has ever set
foot on foreign soil. While he bears
the title of first secretary to the en-
bassy, his position is merely honor
airy, and his journey abroad, apart
from its educational purpose, is in
tended as an additional recognition
Of the obligation conveyed in Amer
ica's remittance of so large a portion
of the indemnity awarded for da -
ages sustained during the Boxer out
break.
Once during the day did the self
possession of Tang Shao VI give way.
This was several hours after his ar
rival, when he sat, clothed N a mag
nifcent robe of blue, in one of the %
apartments in the Fairmont He had
guardedly spoken Of the situation in
China and returned noncommittal/ an
swers to a score of questions relating
to the probable results of his visit 10
Washington. Finally he was asked to
define exactly the meaning Of his an
usual position and his princely reti-
nue.. In reply he said: Believe us,
we have no other purpose than to
show the depth of the heartfelt graft
tude that the government OF China
entertsins toword the United States
for this fresh demonstration of good
will
To another pointed question touch.
ing developments which might occur
in his country and their bearing upon
the relations between the two ma
tons, he remarked: eff there are
matters of grave import to be decid-
ed, | shall doubtless participate in
the deliberations. You must under
stand that during my stay in this
country l outrank the Chinese minis
ters, and some matters viii probably
be referred to me for consideration. :"
as it likely" Secretary Kwai was
asked, that Chung Nun Yew, who
accompanies your party, will succeed
Minister WI Ting Fang at Washing
ton I'VE have learned nothing of
an impending change at that post ex-
cept through unauthorized publica-
lions at home and abroad" was the
reply 81 might add that Chung Nun
Yew is now in mourning far bis faith
er. and during period of many
months 10 cone viii not be in posi-
ton to even consider such an sp-
pointment."