Birmingham State Herald

INTERROGATION POINT

Li Hung Chang Puts in the Day Asking Questions--His Interview With Secretary Carlisle--The Banquet.

Washington, Sept. 4.-Li Hung Chang is making good use of his time while in Washington. Before 9 o'clock this morning he was on his way to visit the capitol, incidentally taking a glance of the outside of the interior and postoffice departments and the pension office.

The capitol is undergoing renovation, but the Chinese viceroy took great interest in all he saw and kept up a fire of questions upon his official entertainers, General Ruger and John W. Foster.

After visiting the capitol the visitor was driven direct to the Chinese legation, where the time until 3 o'clock was spent in business conference, lunch and rest.

At that hour the viceroy had an engagement to visit the Washington monument, but on the way to the monument Ex-Secretary Foster took the Chinaman to call on Secretary Carlisle. This call upset the remainder of the day's programme.

The viceroy spent over an hour in a discussion of finance and the tariff with Secretary Carlisle. He was amazed and gratified with the secretary's knowledge of the Chinese system and the firm grasp and clear perception he had of subjects that had puzzled China's chief thinkers.

China contemplates a change in her tariff system, which is now anything but uniform. Secretary Carlisle had a copy of the present Chinese customs schedules before him and the two distinguished financiers went closely into the details of the matter. When the discussion had continued until 4:30 o'clock, the viceroy entered his carriage and drove to Secretary Lamont's, where he left his cards, repeating this courtesy at the residences of General Miles and Secretary Francis.

Then he drove back to the hotel, where General Ruger, Major Davis and Captain Mills were in full uniform awaiting him, and the carriages were drawn up ready to conduct the entire suite to the monument, where steam had been kept up after hours to take the party to the top. The viceroy, however, declined to make any further trips today.

At 7 o'clock he came down to the elaborate dinner tendered in his honor by Ex-Secretary Foster. Besides the host and the viceroy and his staff, the following guests sat down: The Chinese minister, the Mexican minister, Secretary Carlisle, Secretary Lamont, Secretary Francis, Justice Harlan, Governor Lowndes of Maryland, General Miles, General Ruger, Assistant Secretary Rockhill, Gen. James H. Wilson of New York and Dr. W. W. Johnston of Washington.

The floral decorations were superb, and during the repast the United States marine band gave a serenade, rendering among other numbers the Chinese national air and other melodies recognized by the earl.

The banquet proper, which began at 6:50, closed at 8 o'clock, but Li Hung Chang remained until 9:15 conversing with those present. From the time the plates were removed he appeared in a most talkative mood and asked innumerable questions.

When he left the banquet hall he was conducted to the elevator by his attendants, and upon reaching his apartments retired for the night.

His programme for tomorrow includes a visit to the money vaults of the treasury and to the executive departments generally and to the Washington monument. At 3 o'clock a trip to Mount Vernon is on the programme. He has ordered a magnificent floral piece to place on Washington's tomb.