LI HUNG CHANG, le hung, ebling (1823? 1901). A Chinese statesman, born in Lu-ehow, Ngan-hwei Province, February 1 G. 1823 ( or 1819). Ile was highly educated, and passed through the various grades of scholarship, receiv ing the third degree (Chin Sze) in 1847. In 1849 he entered the Ilanlin College. As early as 1853 lie distinguished himself in the field against the Taipings. Passing through several minor offices, he became in 1S64 Governor of the Kiang Provinces, in which capacity he was intrusted with the task of putting down the Taiping rebels who had continued to hold their own. With the assistance of the 'Ever-Victorious Army' under Gordon (q.v.) Li Hung Chair was successful in suppressing the rebellion. When Su-chow was captured Gordon promised that the lives of the rebel leaders should be spared, but they were all killed by Li's orders—a treacherous; act, which so angered Gordon that lie resigned his command. Li now became successively commander of the Chinese Imperial forces, an earl, head of the naval administration, and Viceroy of the capital Province of Chili. This last appointment placed him practically next the throne. and he held it for the exceptional period of twenty-four years, from 1870 to IS95. During the entire period the foreign policy of China was under his control. Without becoming, a partisan of the Western civilization, he recognized the necessity of re organizing the fighting forces of China on a modern basis, in order to meet the threatening encroachments of the European Powers and the rising influence of Japan, whose interests in Korea were coming into conflict with those of the Chinese. Under Li's supervision the army and the navy were greatly strengthened. The war with Japan found him in a position of great responsibility. lle had been instrumental in bringing on the war, and he had to bear the brunt of the defeat which followed, although the in efficiency of the Chinese forces was largely due to the way in which his plans for military and naval improvement had been hampered by Chi nese Court methods. It was equall? a part of these iiiethods that he should be made a seape goat by the Emperor, and accordingly before the close of the war he was removed from ()thee, deprived of the insignia of his rank, and sent into retirement. lle was, however, recalled and
invested with full powers to negotiate a peace with .1apan. Ile was received in that country with respect and obtained terms which, hard as they Were, were probably better than could have been obtabwil by any other person under the cir cumstances. In 1896 he represented China at the eoronation of Emperor Nicholas IL of Itussin, and then made a tour of the world, passing through ((ermany, Frame. England, awl the [til ted States, revolved everywhere with high honors. Upon his return to China he became the virtual head of the Tsungli-Yamen or foreign office. lle returned to the Governorship of the Kiang Prov inces in 1900, but was soon recalled to the Gov ernorship of Chi-li and his former extensive pow ers, bemuse he was the Only man who be relied upon to meet the emergency in the foreign relations of the Empire produced by the Boxer outbreak. Ili 1 fI I; 1111.1..e task was the settlement with the European Powers and the United States of the issues raised by that trouble. lie died No vember 7, 1901. Li flung Chang was able, crafty, and according to European morals as will as the best teachings of the Chinese moral code, un scrupulous. lle iteeumulated a colossal fortune in the public service. He was not a friend to the foreigner, but he believed in the value of the material civilization of the 'West and wished China to profit by its lesson and strengthen her self thereby. It was commonly believed that Li was not incorruptible and it was asserted that he hail accepted retainers from Russia. lle cer tainly sought to maintain a good understanding with that empire, though this may well have been only what he regarded as a necessary policy under the cireumstances. In internal polieies he was generally identified with the party of the Dowager Empress, though he was too shrewd to go all lengths with her radical advisers. Li flung ('hang could not. however, have been the statesman lie unquestionably was if he had not preserved a certain rugged integrity of purpose. While he sought his own advantage. he served his sincerely and was one of her few statesmen of commanding, ability. Ile was a man of powerful physique and great capacity for work. Consult Douglas, Li Ilung Chang (London, 1895).
See CHINESE EAvPIoE.