he should proceed from Canton wit! all haste, there being urgent need of the services of a diplomat versed in foreign affairs. Her Majesty went so far as to suggest that he should proceed from Shanghai to Tientsin in a Russian vessel which “he might borrow for the purpose.” Li Hung-chang’s reply, telegraphed to Yiian Shih-k’ai for transmission to the Throne, while outwardly respectful, clearly implies that Her Majesty has been to blame for the disasters then occurring. ‘‘l am sincerely grateful,” he says, “for Your Majesty's gratifying confidence in me, but cannot help recalling to mind the folly which has now suddenly desiroyed that structure of reformed administra~ tion which, during my twenty years’ term of office as Viceroy of Chihti, I was able to build up not unsuccess- fully. I fear it will not be possible for me to resume the duties of this difficult post at a time of crisis like the present, destitute as I am of alf proper and material resources.” He proceeds even to criticise Her Majesty's suggestion as to his journey, observing that ‘Russia possesses no vessel at Shanghai, and would certainly refuse to lend if she had one, in view of the state of war now existing.” Finally, he excuses himself for deferring his departure, on the ground that the British Minister had requested him not to leave until the foreign Ministers had been safely escorted from Peking to Tientsin. “I do not know,” says he, “if any such arrangements for safely escorting them can be made,” and therefore concludes by asking Yiian to inform the Throne that he will start north- wards, journeying by land, “as soon as his health permits it.” To this plain-spoken message from the great Viceroy, Tzt IIsi replied in two lines of equally characteristic direct- ness: “Li Hung-chang is to obey our earlier Decree, and to make all haste northwards. ‘The crisis is serious. Let him make no further excuses for delay.”
In spite of these peremptory orders, Li Hung-chang, who had a very definite conception of his own predica- ment, remained at Shanghai, ostensibly negotiating, but in reality waiting, to see what would be the outcome of the siege of the Legations. He was interviewed by The
