AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VICEROY OF CHINA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2094, 25 March 1889, Page 2

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VICEROY OF CHINA.

A Special Commissioner from the " Aigus " reoently interviewed Li Hung Chang, The Viceroy of China and practically ruler of that country. The Qom-> nmaloner says : —I asked him about the question of Ch^aege immigration to the United States. <l I understand," he said, as nearly as I remember, *> that the newspapers have a great deal of influence 'm Amerioa. Well, tell them from me, that I ask them to refer' the ina^ter to their sense of justice They make professions of dealing justly with all tbe worfd. How have they" dealt wi h Ohina? They refuse us citizenship, they Buffer our people to be murdered or expelied by atmed roobe, they shut us out of their country, except under certain severe restrictions, and then vth/m we agree to tbeee they break, them oil and exclude us altofce.tho.f ; China has never done so false and unjust an aot as thin. Ye 3 we have agreed to a good many of these restrictions, but we Bball not agree to any more. Ohina is a'jle now to take her own position among western nations, and she will do so. Shall we retaliate? I oannot say. We are parfocily able, and the temptation is great. We Bball not submit m silence to outrage and treaty -breaking, but I hope and believe Americans will see how wrong they are, and alter their recent laws for themselves, If not the United States and Ohina will not.be Wends. Now tell mo about your colonies. Has the Qaesn the right or not to order her colonies io act lastly, to oapoel unjust laws that they have made, and to punish them If they do not t " I explained that the right doubt, leas rested m theory with the Imperial Government, bat that m praotioe it could hardly be exeroised. " Then why oall them colonies and subjeots of the Qaeen," returned the Viceroy ; " why not say at once they are independent aud let us deal dlreotly with them f " But is it a fact or not," I asked him, " that the Chinese Government views the emigration of its people with disapproval, considering that their periodical religious and family duties render it imperative for them to remain m Ohms?" 'The Ohlneae Government, 1 " was the severe and diplomatic reply, " demands for its aubjeota the rights that are aooorded to them by solemn treaty, and, the same favours that It acoords to the subjeots of other friendly powers," " And with regard to Australia——)" " At present we are at the stage of protest." "And afterwards—?" " I oannot say."