Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-22
A CHINESE GRADUATE
Oreditable Record Made by an Oriental High
School Boy.
Alfred SEE as a Scholar and o Cadet
His Career in Amer
len.


Thursday evening at Convention Hall. for
the purpose of witnessing one of their
countrymen and fellow diplomats receive
a diploma from the highest of the public
schools of the District of Columbia. This
particularly interesting event, since never
before has representative of the celestial
empire been graduated from the public
schools of Washington.
The diploma which will then be present
ed by Commissioner Ross will certify for
all time that Mr.. Sao-Ke Alfred SEE has
honorably completed a four years course
OF study prescribed for the Washington
H1gh Schools 1t VIII probably be the first
time member of the diplomatic corps of
Washington has received diploma while
on duty at his post at Washington Con-
sequently. Mr.. SEE has right to feel
proud. The High School is proud of gradu-
ating such a promising member. as it has
all along been proud of numbering him as
one OF its pupils. For. in spite of the far
away land from which he came, there has
few brighter ones, than this young attache
OF the Chinese legation, for that is his
omc1al rank as set down in the diploma tic
list at the State Department.
Alfred Sees Record.
Sao-ke SEE was what he was known in
his native land, but when he left his home
the other side of the globe to complete his
education In America, he adopted for his
own name that was more in keepinp
with the new land to which he journeyed
POSSIBLY, also, he had some vague fear
mat While at school his classmates might
pun upon his name by rechristening him
soak" AT all events he has voluntarily
added the name alfred" to his rather
musical cognomen, and as Alfred" he has
been Familiarity known the past four wears
among mrs classmates at the Central High
school. And as Alfred SEE his teachers
have called upon him in class and have en-
tered him upon the school records At the
Cnlnese iega ton, however, he is known as
. Dung sze. In order to distinguish him
He is at present a few months over
twenty years Of age. He is tall but rather
slight of build. His personality is most
pleasing, and he has made friends of all
with whom he came in contact; and his
popularity is not due to mere curiosity.
he is universally respected and admired
lot the perseverance with which he has at
lacked ms studies, and for the scholarly
record of over 93 per cent out of a pos
slole lOO which he has made in his four
years course. This high per cent places
MIN near the top of the list of graduates
ana ahead OF over one hundred students,
who are studying at their own schools. in
their own land and among their own peo-
pie. When the difficulties in his way are
considered, Mr. SEE has accomplished a
remarkable feat IN entering a strange land
ana making higher record than native
students.
His American Career.
Mr. SEE came to this country four years
ago, as a student translator for the recent
minister Yang Yu, now at ST. Petersburg.
He was then but sixteen years of age. but
SO well advanced was he that Yang Yu
recommended to the home government that
he be made an attache. This office he has
now held for almost two years. When Mr..
Yu departed recently for his new post at
81 petersburg he was DESTROYS of having
Mr.. SEE accompany him. but Alfred was
very anxious to remain at Washington
until receiving his High School diploma.
Next fall he expects to enter one of the
Leading colleges, and. after taking a full
colegiate course. to study law. This will
necessitate his remaining in America for
at least seven years more, and at the end
of that time he will return to China and
Will probably be in line for the diplomatic
service. He will be twenty-seven years of
age when he returns to his home near
Shanghai, after all absence of eleven
years, but he will be fitted by education
and training to fill almost any diplo-
His many friends in Washington hope that
some time in the dim future, while serving
his country abroad, he may be sent 10
washington as the ambassador of the ce-
lestial empire.
Mr.. Sees early education was obtained
at Shanghai, where he attended ST. Johns
College. an American institution His
knowledge of English was obtained at this
Francisco he understood more English
than the average European tourist who
does French. At the Central High
School, which he entered within a few
pursued classical course, taking, among
other studies. Latin, French, German,
English, mathematics and the college
course in physics. He has been especially
clares that he loves the French language
almost as much as his native tongue Ger
man he dislikes, on account OF the harsh
accent, although he has mastered its dia-
lect very well.
As n Cadet.
For three years Mr.. SEE has been a mem
Der of the regiment of High School Cadets.
He enlisted as a private, and served in
the ranks for one year. after which he
was made sergeant. At the beginning of
the present year he was appointed a second
lieutenant. and just before the dissolution
OF the regiment for the year he was pro-
NOTED to the rank of first lieutenant. He
was attached to Company A of the 1st Bat
talon, with which organization he took
part in the competitive drill, where he was
cadet officer, he has made an excellent
record. His commands are given in a
quick, sharp tone of voice, utterly different
from any other officer but are easily under
stood. In fact, his English now is almost
perfect. He wears the snug fitting dark
blue uniform to advantage, while his square
set shoulders are well set off by the
shoulder straps, which are the insignia OF
his rank. When CARRIED ready for drill
Mr.. SEE would hardly he taken for anything
but an American, but during the ordinary
school hours he wears the flowing robes
which are customary in his own land
As a social success during his four years
Mr.. SEE has scored a hit. He is a mem
Der of the Minuet Club, one Of the most
exclusive organizations in the senior class
and Is great favorite with the young
ladies.
In conversation with a reporter several
days ago. Mr.. SEE unfolded a number of
his Impressions gathered during his visit
to this country.
Everything is SO different here" he said
"that it seemed very strange at first, /
was some time in getting acquainted but
cannot say that that objection could be
raised now. I have had a most pleasant
time. and I shall look back upon these
four years in Washington as among the
most enjoyable of my life. Most Of my
time has been spent at school, upon nv
studies. I was there thrown in with many
people who are now among my best friends.
The teachers especially were SO kind to
me, while don't think shall ever esteem
any ore quite as much as Dr. Lane the
principal OF the Central School. I owe a
great deal to his aid. AS for the students
alone. they have done very much to make
foE1 of homo I ohan oil