Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-09
LEGATION IN A NEW HOME
Chinese Minister Decides to Remove From
His Present Quarters.
His Government Notified That He
erence to State Department.

nese legation will remove from the build
ing 1t has occupied at 14th and Yale streets,
to the handsome residence owned by Mr..
Frank Schneider. on the southeast corner
of 18th and Q streets. The change, 1t is
said, is due to slight difference between
Minister WI Ting Fang and Mr.. Cyrus
Mantz, owner of the property in which the
legation is located at present, and who
lives next door.
In speaking Of the matter Mr.. Mantz said
that on Minister Wu's arrival here two
months ago arrangements were made for
the continued occupation Of the property
by the legation for three years Mr.. WI,
Mr.. Mantz asserts, positively promised to
take the property for that space of time;
although he declined to sign lease bind
ing himself to pay the rent for the three
years, the term usually served by a Chi
nese minister.
Mr.. Mantz says he spent a considerable
sum of money in making expensive addi-
tons to the property. The minister, so he
asserts, wished other furnishings, which.
If his wants had been acceded 20 would
nave involved much greater expense, and
he declined to furnish these, but tried to
promise could be effected, and the minister
concluded to leave.
The Claim for Recompense.
Mr.. Mantz feels that he is entitled to
some recomperse for the Improvements
made in expectation of the property be-
ing occupied by the minister, and has made
representations to that effect to the Chi
nese government TIN ough high Pekin Off
Gals. He thinks he is entitled to the
money spent in alterations, and to the
amount of the rent for one year. The sum
claimed is between 5000 and $4,000. Fail
ing to get satisfaction at Pekin Mr. Mantz
arfn 10 int
itself in his behalf.
one of the members of the legation stated
today to The Star reporter:
The minister made no promise VIVA
10 the owner of the house. Before Mr. Yu
left China he heard that the place was I'M
NJ 1or the legation, one of the reasons be-
ing given that it was too far out of town.
me minister, however, determined to see
when he arrived here, and was seen bv Mr.
MantZ in regard to the place He simply
moved into the house, paying a fixed sum
for it each month.
Declared the House Unfit.
After the minister had moved in he
found that the house was not onIy not fiji
Tor a legation, but not in condition flo,
other occupancy. When it rained the wa.
ter came down the walls and had to he
caught in tubs. Mr.. Mantz was told abou,
TINS repeatedly and made many promises
but never fulfilled them.
hen the former occupant moved AWAY
he took with him much of his own furni
ture. which left the rooms in rather a bare
cohd.tion: The house was rented as a
furnished one. and as it was not con-
sidered we'll enough furnished other arti.
cies were asked for, but were not sup
piled. Mr.. WI had a friendly talk with
Mr.. Mantz.
Talked as n Friend.
He told the latter, as a friend, that I'M
less what he wished was done he would
| move out. He said that from a financial
point of view it would be better to spend
| thousand dollars or SO and have a ten
ant than to have 1t vacant and remain so
| as it probably would, for number OF
months, which would cause loss of more
| than two or three times that amount.
Mr.. MantZ was very angry when he
| learned that the place was to be vacated
and threatened TO appeal to the courts. HI
afterward apologized. Mrs. Mantz alst
| came to the legation and tried her best t.
| induce the minister TO remain.
| lin regard to the large outlay of which
Mr.. Mantz speaks, there was very little
RumOr of Recall.
| There is a rumor that Minister WI ma!
be recalled for political reasons. and sent t,
| Japan, a post which Is below that of th
| country in rank. 1t is reported that LIE,
| King Ye, chief clerk of foreign affairs I'm
| der Lii Hung Chang, will be his successor
| At the Chinese legation it was stated tina
| the runor of the minister's recall hat
| reached there, but nothing official had beef
| heard. The rumor, it was also asserted
was thought to be without foundation, a
| the minister was appointed but a few
months ago, and 1t would take something
| out of the ordinary to demand his recall
| In regard to the appointment to Japan /
| was thought the present minister to Ger
| many would be named, and that Mr.. Y
| would get the Berlin mission.