Many of these western media reports on Li Hongzhang 120 years ago were first disclosed in China.
He received a "grand welcome" in Europe and even a "cold reception" in the United States. In Japan, he insisted on living in a cabin.
Is he a "mysterious man" in the eyes of German and French media or a "distinguished elder" in the eyes of American media?
Western media reports on Li Hongzhang mostly focused on the Westernization Movement in the 30 years before the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and Li Hongzhang's mediation in the diplomatic activities of the Qing Dynasty after the signing of treaty of shimonoseki. During the Sino-Japanese War, foreign media paid little attention to Li Hongzhang. Perhaps it is because the western media, proceeding from the interests of all countries, did not discuss too much the role and gains and losses of Li Hongzhang in the war, but paid more attention to the influence of Li Hongzhang and even China on the world. Especially after the defeat of the Qing Dynasty in the Sino-Japanese War, the evaluation and prediction of Li Hongzhang's diplomatic efforts were mostly full of sympathy. For example, Pictorial wrote in its report on his death on190116: "It can be said that he took the place of the prime minister's yamen, was responsible for handling political and commercial relations with barbarians, and had keen insight and flexible mediation ability in the most difficult foreign negotiations. Some people directly say that he is cunning. In the Far East, his name, role and mediation are often closely linked with major international events, and his signature can be found in many important agreements. "
Twenty years ago, western media and Liang Qichao's comments coincided to some extent-"respecting Li Hongzhang's talents", "cherishing Li Hongzhang's knowledge" and "cherishing Li Hongzhang's experience".
Only one year after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1896,1March, 896, Li Hongzhang, who was laid off for a long time because of the guilt of defeat, was appointed as the visiting representative of the Qing court to Russia because of the political needs of the imperial court to "unite with Russia to resist Japan" and the Russian side's "roll call request". Li Hongzhang, wearing a yellow jacket, means "a bright future". Since he set foot on the European continent, he has never stopped and has been heading west. Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Britain, the United States, British Canada's trip to Europe and the United States actually lasted nearly seven months.
"Li Hongzhang has been in Europe for more than two months, but he is in no hurry. After China was defeated by the Japanese, he seemed to want to avenge his country. Along the way, he pondered, compared and judged. Since attending the coronation ceremony of the new czar Alexander II, he has visited Russia, Germany and Belgium. Now, he has been in France for several days. Wherever he went, he carefully studied the military organizations of western countries and studied the most advanced weapons. He met with French President Fuer at the Elysee Palace and watched the military parade of French National Day on July 14 as a guest. " 18967 June 19 reported by the French newspaper Le petit Parisien.
A few days later, on July 26th, another French media, Xiao Daily, reported: "Li Hongzhang will not be in a good mood, especially in the recent Sino-Japanese War. After his emperor rewarded him with a yellow jacket symbolizing trust and honor, he deprived him of it. Although Li Hongzhang is wearing a yellow jacket to visit this time, we can't guess whether he will continue to wear this dress after returning home. On the one hand, the Germans organized a grand program for Li Hongzhang, on the other hand, they mastered the purchase order and were ready to sell German weapons, ammunition and instructors to him at any time. Li Hongzhang was satisfied with the reception, but he was indifferent when placing an order. In China, he communicated with the President and many politicians inside and outside the government through an interpreter. Everyone he talked to praised him, and he didn't find any important topics. Adults with crystal buttons on their clothes are reluctant to unbutton and open their hearts. France will treat all distinguished guests with care. I hope Li Hongzhang will remember our hospitality when he returns to China. It is worth looking forward to, but there is no need to look forward to it. "
Li Hongzhang seems to make Europeans "incomprehensible". However, according to Harper's Weekly, at the end of August, after Li Hongzhang arrived in the American continent, he was understood and welcomed by "opening his heart".
"The peacock feathers on his yellow jacket and hat make people feel funny and curious. In the next few days, people discovered the greatness of the elder more and more, and naturally they respected him more and more. It is generally believed that Li Hongzhang's trip to the United States was epoch-making for China to some extent, and it was the turning point of China's ancient culture. Others think that if Li Hongzhang is 25 years younger, China will be thoroughly remoulded. But from this perspective, we can easily see the tragic factors of this visit. Undoubtedly, this visit also witnessed the end of Chinese civilization. In order to save the country, China must sacrifice the ancient system. " At that time, Harper's Weekly reported, "Since 1824, the French Marquis of lafayette visited the United States, this country has never received such a distinguished guest as Li Hongzhang. Even if the Prince of Wales' visit to the United States is included, it is not too much to say so. After all, the Prince of Wales became a powerful man only because of his birth. He was very young when he visited America, but he was a friendly messenger. In contrast, Li Hongzhang is different from others because of his extraordinary achievements. As a special envoy, he visited the United States with greetings from the oldest country in the world to the youngest country. Li Hongzhang was also the first time that China was called a distinguished guest by the "elders". Out of China people's respect for the deceased, Li Hongzhang's reverence for the late General Grant made his visit more emotional and undoubtedly brought some comfort to the American people. To some extent, this explains why Americans welcome this elder who enjoys the titles of "Earl", "Taifu" and "Governor of Zhili". Accompanied by warm cheers, miraculous crowds and warm greetings. On his last day in new york, Li Hongzhang went to Brooklyn, then accepted an official interview with an American journalist, and then held a formal meeting with Mayor Strong. In Brooklyn, he was interested in the United Club, especially the statue of General Grant just erected in front of the club. In the interview, he took the opportunity to express his unfair views on the Chinese Exclusion Act. He said that from an economic point of view, this kind of behavior is indeed unknown, but from a political point of view, it seems to be inconsistent with this country that constantly claims freedom. Although his words are mild, they are actually accusations. The next morning, he went to Philadelphia, ending his trip to new york. "
1September 1996 14, Li Hongzhang left Vancouver, Canada for home on an American ship. It is said that when the ship docked in Yokohama, Japan, Li Hongzhang wanted to transfer to another ship, and the Japanese side had already prepared accommodation on the shore. However, Li Hongzhang "vowed never to bask in the sun" and resolutely refused to go ashore. After a night on the boat, I returned home at dawn by the ship "Guangli" of China Merchants. The man of the hour that night did not even think about peace.
On August 4th, 1894, London News Illustrated, with the title "East Asia War is on the verge: the scene on China troop carrier". The first person in the upper left corner of the picture is Von Hanneken. This painting vividly depicts the details of the Qing army in Gao Shenghao.
Foreign faces in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 in Von Hanneken
In the famous Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 in Gao Shenghao, there was a face of Zhang Yang worth remembering.
On the page of London News Illustrated on August 4th 1894, there is such a picture. This is a day between July 23rd and 25th. 1894. On the bridge of the Gao Shenghao troop ship bound for Incheon, two Qing generals, a British captain and a mysterious German "private guest"-the bearded man-are looking into the distance. He is Von Von Hanneken, who is called "Han Daren" by friends at home.
Von Hanneken was born in a German military family. 1879 After the German army was discharged from the army, he was introduced by De Cuilin of Tianjin Customs and Taxation Office as an instructor in Tianjin Ordnance School. Later, he was appreciated by Li Hongzhang and served as his military adviser to help him form the Beiyang Navy. He designed and built Jinshan Fort and Ahava Fort in Lushun with German technology and equipment.
Many historians and Japanese investigation reports believe that Von Hanneken, who went to North Korea with the Qing army 1200 people in Gao Shenghao in a "private name" at that time, was actually entrusted by Li Hongzhang to go to Yashan to help the Qing army build a fortress and prepare for the coming war. 1On the morning of July 25th, 994, after Gao Shenghao was sunk by a wave speed ship, Von Hanneken dived into the water, swam to Akio Toyoda alone, found a fishing boat and moved to Incheon Port. There, he persuaded the German warship Hilda to sail for Toyota to rescue the Qing soldiers who swam ashore. Later, a British warship also participated in the rescue, and more than 200 surviving officers and men trapped on the island were rescued.
Li Hongzhang was grateful for this, awarded Von Hanneken Hualing the rank of company commander, and joined Beiyang Navy as the chief instructor and deputy prefect. Von Hanneken immediately took part in directing the Yellow Sea War and was seriously injured. After this war, Von Hanneken made a statement to the Qing court, arguing that the naval battle in the Yellow Sea was because "the China navy didn't add a new ship for eight years, and all the new foreign naval guns failed recently, while all the Japanese naval guns were brand-new, so it failed to win". It is suggested that the Qing government buy clippers from Chile, Germany and Britain, hire foreign sailors to come to China with them, and form the whole army, and politely ask the Qing court to appoint itself as the prefect of the whole army. Although the Qing government listened to these rash suggestions, it failed to put them into practice, and Von Hanneken left Beiyang Navy.
But he did not leave China, but planned a whole set of new army training plan for the Qing court, which was later Yuan Shikai's new army!
In fact, there were eight foreign employees in beiyang fleet during the Sino-Japanese War.
"The Battle of the Giants" —— Sino-Japanese Moment in Westerners' Eyes
"The Japanese waited until the moon was completely covered, and the 15 ship left the fleet and headed for the port. They crept around China's armored ships and knew that they had completely entered the fire range of Chinese fleet and battery. One of the torpedo boats approached Dingyuan and fired two torpedoes, all of which hit the target, and Dingyuan immediately began to sink. Suddenly, the military port was in chaos, and the Qing army began to wake up, but it was too late. All Japanese torpedo boats have formed an encirclement. The armored ship and artillery company of the Qing army opened fire fiercely, and the torpedo boat that sank Dingyuan ship disintegrated in the hail bombing, and eight crew members were drowned. Only one Japanese torpedo boat escaped the fire of the Qing army unscathed. "
This is a scene in Ahava during the Sino-Japanese War reported by Harper's Weekly in May 1895. Western media recorded the war with their own positions and observations.
199410 June 13, British Pictorial commented on Commander beiyang fleet after the naval battle in the Yellow Sea: Marshal Ding of China is doomed, and Marshal Ding is the commander of the China Navy and one of the few talents that the Chinese Army can rely on. Marshal Ding is tall, handsome, dignified and talented, which makes him a great official when he is quite young. Politically, he belongs to the reformists in China and agrees to use the European scientific system to promote the progress of the country. His bravery in the Yellow Sea naval battle was in sharp contrast with those of China captains who were afraid of death. In tha
1In August 1994, the Pittsburgh Express of the United States commented on China's army in this way: compared with the soldiers' military literacy, the number of soldiers has become insignificant, especially today when technology, calmness and courage determine the quality of a military force. Thirty years ago, the soldier's role was just to push the bullet into the gun chamber and then sweep it. At that time, the advantage in numbers may offset some of the advantages of opponents in courage and military training, but even so, only 5,000 British soldiers were enough to invade Beijing.
Few people pay attention to China prisoners of war in the Sino-Japanese War. On April 27th, 1895, British Pictorial described this scene in detail.
"China prisoners were taken to Tokyo, and when 34 prisoners from China arrived in Nibashi, Japan, they were waiting here before dawn to watch the Japanese. The Japanese greeted them by laughing loudly, throwing stones at them, booing, cursing and throwing stones at them. Although the police prepared several buses in advance, it took great effort to stop the manic mob when escorting the prisoners to change buses. The vehicle that escorted the prisoner then went to the railway station. China was thus transported by train to Shiori Sakura, the hometown of cherry blossoms near Tokyo. " During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, 1000 China prisoners of war finally returned to the motherland, and dozens of them were buried in foreign countries.
Taking China English Newspaper and Zilin West Newspaper 1894 1894 on February 28th as the conclusion, this is a war full of exhibition effect. In just a few months, the two giants in the east completely exchanged positions. China, who has always been regarded as the overlord of the eastern world, was found to be a sheep with wolf skin on its head; And Japan, which seems to have never been paid close attention to by us, has suddenly become one of our great powers, whether we want to see it join or not. If the Japanese unconsciously gained an admirable position in our western world, then the corruption of the Qing government and its officials is burying China under our eyes.