The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-29
QUAINT MRS. YANG.
The WIFE OF THE CHINESE MIN
ISTER At WASHINGTON.

China She Accom- panies Ber Husbar
to Oficial Functions, Also Attends II
formal Gatherings.
No woman in Washington attrac,
more attention than cr appeals s
much to the curiosity of the ordinar
observer as Madame Yang, the wifi
of the Chinese minister. With he
quaint appearance and native dress
she suggests a civilization as wldel
different from our own as 1t is possibl
to Imagine. She Is a bit Of Oriental col
oring and personality amidst our mod
ern lights and shades.
When the present Envoy Extrnordin
airy and Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr.
Yang Yu. first came to this country
1t was said that he had more advanced
IDEAS upon the political and social ques
! tions of the day than any Of his prede
/ cessors. Mr.. Yang is as progressive In
MS ideas as LII Hung Chang, whom
General Grant called "the Bismarck OF
China" and the late Chinese minister
to London, the Marquis Tseng. Fol
lowing the precedent of the last-men.
toned official, Mr.. Yang has intro
duced number of innovations which
were unknown at the legation before
his coming.
His family were the first to OCCUPY
the new and imposing house leased by
the Chinese government out on Colum.
bia Heights, over which the long yel
low flag Of China, with the blacb
dragon, floats.
The social gayeties of the Washing
ton season were at their height when
the new minister and his family were
first Installed as residents. The first
appearance in public of the new repre-.
sentative from China was at a state
dinner given to the diplomatic corps at
the White House early in January 1893.
On the occasion brilliant assemblage
of foreigners had gathered in the East
Room. where dinner guests are re.
ceived by the President and the first
lady of the land
When the Chinese minister was an.
he entered the room not alone, |
as had been the invariable custom of |
his predecessors, but accompanied by |
bis wife. who was announced as Mrs,
Yang The demure little woman, who
followed her husband after the subser
'ient fashion of her countrywoman,
stood abashed in the presence of so
many strangers, until she was reas.
ured by the cordial and kindly greet.
ng of Mrs. Cleveland, who advanced
o meet her. This was the first time in
ii our diplomatic relations with China
hat the wife of minister from that
ountry had appeared with him at an
flicial entertainment at the White
iouse. but Madam Yang is entitled
y virtue of her rank to accompany her
usband upon occasions Of this kind.
Since the residence of the family in
Washington, Madame Yang has been
cen very frequently at official func-
ons; and not only at these, for many
the residents of the city have in
tied her as guest to more informal
atherings.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
mister and his family have become
ore or less known here, there is still
very decided code Of etiquette main-
ined at the legation, and those who
ii there must do so by previous ap-
intment. These appointments are
ade through one of the secretaries,
r. Sze or Mr.. Chung. Both of these
taches are exceedingly well edu-
ted, and very proficient in the use
our language. Their replies to notes
request are remarkably correct. as
al written and expressed as though
writers were Of native birth. Their
ltionery, of heavy linen paper. Is
lmped at the top, in red embossed
ters,