LI HUNG CHANG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11430, 21 July 1900, Page 6

LI HUNG CHANG.

CAREER OP ■ CHINA'S GREAT . -i ' 'STATESMAN. ;' : The crisis in China has again brought Li filling Chang into prominence, and a cable ■' message; which we published yesterday morn- '■ ing, states' that he has been appointed ' .Viceroy of Chi-li. . At the present juncture, therefore, a brief sketch of the distinguished Chinese diplomatist should be of interest, especially as it deals with" one of the most important

periods of the history ot the Empire. Li first came into prominence in 1853, in the war against the Taipings, and five years later he was associated with Gordon in the |*ar against tlm Wangs. Subsequently he became Governor of Fu-Kien, and then KiangBu Li worked amicably with the illustrious Englishman, who gained victory after victor}', but allowed Li to take the credit with the authorities at Pekin. The relations of these two great men, however, were ended by the action of Li in ordering the decapitation of nine of the Wangs. When the laiping leaders knew that they must be beaten they decided to surrender, and Chung Rang, the great Taping leader, and eight others gave themselves up. Li had promised Gordon that the lives of these men should be spared, but as. soon as the great General was out of the way Chang had the nine Wangs put to death while they were at a banquet to which he had invited them Gordon was so enraged that he chased the Grand Secretary for a whole day with a revolver, with the intention of shooting him. but the wilv Cluing knew where he was safest, and the court knew him not until Gordon's anger had subsided. From that time Li Hung Chang has been one of the most prominent figures in the Chinese Empire to western eyes. With the Empress Dowager he has always been a great favourite, and this fact, combined with his own ability and masterful talents, enabled him to practically assume the position of dictator. For many years Li was the mouthpiece of the Empire, and he showed on many occasions that he was more than a match-for the diplomats of the newer civilisations, ('hang for many years was thought to be a firm friend of Britain, but Gordon dissipated this idea. The English General believed that the Russians would eventually drive the Chinese back to Pekin, and that the wily Li, while pretending to repel the invaders, would do absolutely nothing, and that when the capital had fallen he would open negotiations with the Russians, and secure their support for hims;!! by granting them any terms they desired iii return for their support of him, and that the Russians would retire, and Li tvou'id then ascend the throne himself. This little scheme was published in a Shanghai paper, and Li was naturally so angry that he used his power to have the paper suppressed. A new, a greater honour awaited Li Hu.ig Chang, and in 1870 he was appointed to the vice-royalty of Chih-li, which is regarded as one (ii the most important positions in China. So well did he fill this post that in 1884 he was raised to the still higher position of Grand Secretary of State. Chang was now at the height of his fame, and was recognised as the foremost of Chinese statesmen. As a set-off to sins and errors to be urged against him, he performed many great works. The Grand Secretary did not like foreigners', but, according to some writers, this is not to be wondered at, as foreigners always showed the great Chinese official the worst side of their characters. His council was said to have been the focus of every commercial intrigue undertaken on behalf of western nations. The great Chinese statesman is reputed to be one of the richest men in China, and he kept a standing army for his own use. The strength of this army has been variously estimated at from 15.000 to 50,000 men. During the Chiun-Japane.se war nothing was heard of Li's army, and considerable surprise was expressed in consequence. It is believed that the astute statesman kept the soldiers hovering round his own premises, in ease he should need them for the protection of his sacred person. The war with Japan brought about Chang's downfall. He was appointed to the chief control of the. forces, and he was made the scapegoat of the reverses of the Chinese, his numerous enemies, only too glad to get the opportunity of injuring him, attributing the victories of Japan to his bungling. The Emperor commanded that his decoration of the three-eyed peacock feather be plucked from his hat, and that he be stripped of his yellow riding jacket "as a slight punishment." Li was given a chance to retrieve bis apparently lost fortunes; but further defeats following, he was deprived of the command of the forces. His successor did no better than Li, and while he was in charge the disaster at Wei-hai-wei took place. This reverse brought Chang back to power again,-and ail his honours were returned to him. The appointment of Chief Commissioner, with full power to negotiate with Japan for peace, was conferred on him. This was nearly Li's last mission, for while in Japan a young Japanese, Shimoniski, shot at him, the bullet lodging just below the left eye. The wound, though serious, was not fatal. Li succeeded in his efforts to secure peace, and so ended the war. Li Hung Chang in 1896 was sent to specially represent the Emperor at the coronation of the Czar, and he afterwards visited Berlin, the Netherlands, France, and England. He was received with great distinction in every country, especially Germany, where almost roval honours were paid to him. Whilst in England he endeavoured, in vain, to gel Lord Salisbury' to assent to an increase of import duties levied upon British goods entering China. After leaving England he went over to the United Slates, and returned home through Canada. During his visit to foreign countries he was indefatigable in collecting information. On his return to China he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. In the troublous times of 1897-98—what is happening now was feared then—Li Hung Chang was a distinctly prominent figure. His actions seemed to bear out what Gordon had said as to his favouring Russia, and this attitude was the cause of a serious altercation between him and the British Minister, Sir Claude Mac Donald, the latter accusing him of betraying the Empire to Russia. In consequence of the rumours reflecting on his integrity, he was dismissed from the Tsung-li-Yame.'i by an Imperial decree. The caause of his disgrace was that lie deceived the council as to the true nature of the terms of the En-hat' railway contract, and it was understood that Li, having served its purpose, Russia would abandon him. The dismissal of Chant, was regarded as a distinct success foi British diplomacy. He was. however, allowed to retain the Senior Grand Secretaryship. Li was afterwards appointed Minister for Commerce, and finally he was made Governor of Hwang Tung, and has now been made viceroy of Chih-li.

SIGNS OF TROUBLE LAST YEAR. Ii is manifest from communications reeivccl in Sydney from missionaries and their riendx in China, that the present trouble 'itli the Boxers was foreshadowed early last year. Last. July Mrs. Sewell McFarlane, wife of Dr. Sewell McFarlane, who was some time ago on a visit to New South Wales, writing about ihe work of the Chi C'hou Mission at work near Tientsin, as she found it in July of 1899, on returning from . visit to England.-says: -- " What changes have occurred during our absence. A new chapel erected, two new foreign houses, enlargement of school compound, etc. We then heard the whole story of the secret society commonly known as the Boxers, of how they several times threatened to destroy our mission, of how on one memorable evening the ladies and children were placed in one room, a midnight praver meeting was held, after which the husband? stood guard outside the house tot two successive nights. These rebels go about burning chapels, plundering native Christians, anil threatening them with instant death if they don't renounce their new faith and return to their former idolatry. On their banners are these words, ' Prosperity to China— extermination of foreigners.' Their avowed object K is to uproot Christianity, kill foreigners, and U ■ .. aacquirc wealth by plunder. Many 01 our ;.?.-,%, chapels have been destroyed, and over 100 ..' - Christian families deprived of all their . :' ■■■ ■ earthly possessions, including food and clothV'. ing, and this during the depth of an excep- . tionally; severe 'winter. By strong representations: to the powers that be, Chinese foreigu-diilled soldiers have been sen 1 to •protect us and suppress . ihe rebellion. We have had liberal help -from Tientsin friends V : towards support of our suffering Christian!,; Ike ringleaders are still at large." illlraS' '' "'' ' -■■ ■■■