THERE was a period in the modern history of China, when Li Hung-chang, the First Grand Sveretary, and the Viceroy of the Metropolitan province, was spoken of in the foreign Press as the Premier of China, This was not due to the fact that he was Grand Secretary, which was then as it is now a nominal position, though highest in civil rank, but to the fact that he was the strongest man in the Government and the most capable in the settlement of foreign affairs. Though living outside the capital, he was more powerful than any who appeared daily at Court.
Since the death of Li Hung-chang, not much attention has been given to the question as to the one now the most powerful in the Empire and who might fittingly be called the Premier of China. It really is important to know, a3 wel! as' interesting, who, next to the Sovereign, the Empress Dowager, is the supreme person in the Government. It seems more and more evident that, if any selection is made, that person must be Yung Lu. He has succeeded to the: highest
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.