LI HUNG CHANG.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 18, 21 July 1900, Page 5

LI HUNG CHANG.

AN ELABORATE PRETENCE OF SINCERITY. * LONDON, 20th July. Before leaving Canton to take up the Viceroyship of Chi-li, Li Hung Chang enjoined Tak-shu, the Governor of the city, to maintain order. Li also interviewed Sir H. A. Blake, Govrenor of Hongkong, who urged him to remain at Canton. In taking farewell of the Consuls at Hongkong the Viceroy promised to maintain tranquikily in Southern China, and said that if the Legations at Pekin were saved he hoped the Powers would assist in the work of pacification. Li added that eleven Viceroys had memorialised the Throne recommending the protection of foreign merchants and missionaries in the event of war, in order to preserve China's prestige as a civilised Stale ; and, further, requesting that the Ministers should be rescued ; an apology tendered for the murder of Baron Yon Ketteler; compensation given for losses of property and life; and that robbers and marauding troops should be punished. Further, he stated that he had received definite news that all the jMimsters and foreign^js (except Baron Yon Ketteler) were safe at Pekin on the Bth instant. . • A SUGGESTIVE STEP. INDIGNATION AT HONGKONG. (Received July 21, 8.48 a.m.) LONDON, 20th July. One of Li Hung Chang's last acts before leaving Canton was the auuition of five thousand men to the garrison of the Bogue forts, which command the entrance to. tho harbour. A telegram from Hongkong states that intense indignation is felt there in connection 'with the honours paid to Li Hung Chang during his visit to the Governor. Though he was in telegraphic communication with the Dowager-lfimpress, Li refused a request that he should arrange that the Embassies in Pekin should bo given facilities for communicating with their Governments.