New-York tribune., 1898-10-09

VIII be noted that although he has been worried
almost beyond endurance by interviesers he
mas said nothing to which the Emperor. the
Empress. his patron. Ii Hurg Chang. or the
arch-conspirators could possibly take objection
while seemingly the frankest and most cordial
OF men. Mr.. Wu Is constantly on his guard
against committing himself and when pressed
too close gains time by asking questions. firing
inquiry after inquiry at his interviewer, much
as the famous Viceroy is accused of doing when
he made his voyage round the world.
The present envoy from China has the most
unbounded admiration for the Empress, and
long before the present crisis in Chinese affairs
gave frequent expression TO IT, He is. in fact
not Oriental hut very progressive in his ideas
concerning woman, and accords her high place
Nine. WI, who Is a woman Of 6reat force OF
character and intellectually. is credited with
being the power behind the throne at the Chi
nese Legation, and Of exerting an influence over
her husband that even women on this side the
globe might envy.
Mr.. WI is an old friend Of Ii Hung Chang
and it is said owes to that great statesman his
start in life and all the honors and distinction
he has since attained His appointment TO this
country was certainly directly due to the Vice
roys influence. who had long advocated the
idea that Minister should never be sent to a
country the language Of which he did not un-
derstand The wisdom Of this idea has been
demonstrated. The usefulness OF a diplomat Is
much increased by his knowledge Of the Ian
guage and habits OF the people he goes among
and TO this as much as TO anything else Mr.. WI
owes his popularity. for he is undenaby popu-
lar, and has entered into the lie here as none
of his predecessors were able TO do.
Chang Yen Hoon or Huan, his name is
written. in the foreign dispatches which men
ton him as a cons nspirator with kang fu Wei. Is
well known at this capital. where he served as
Minister much longer time than Chinese
diplomats are usually allowed 10 remain at 4
post. his services being most acceptable to this
Government and eminently satisfactory TO his
own During Mr. Hoon's rtgime-for whether
rightly Or wrongly hc was invariably called by
his last name after the English custom-the
Chinese Legation occupied Stewart Castle and
never has foreign Minister entertained more
elegantly or lavishly. Deicacies were ordered
from China for The gorgeous banquets that were
given. the house was turned into a bower OF
beauty for the sumption entertainments, thou
sands and thousands % dollars were spent for
the purpose Of establishing friendly relations,
and the Chinese Legation enjoyed reputation
for hospitality that no other legation has ever
enjoyed
Mr. Hoon was "A real bean in dress and man
ners His costumes were made from stuffs Of
priceless value and he wore jewels such as
Western eyes rarely look upon. He vas dev-
otee to society. and never refused single in
viiation that il possible for him 10 accept.
Al the social functions Of his day Mr.. Hoon
was the most CONSPICUOUS figure and. with two
or three of his attaches was always the centre
Of an admirng little cotcrie. But this pct-
uresque diplomat was clever III ms profession
withal he made valuable connections in TINS
country for China. awakened interest in her re-
sources and induced United states capitalists
to build railroads there and 10 develop her vast
wealth Many Of his projects came to nothing
but some that he inspired promise to turn out
brilliantly Various rumOrs have reached ms
country concerning Mr. Hoon; one grewsome
tale TO the effect that he had been beheaded for
some misconduct gained credence here few
years ago.
A typical poor boy Congressman j. Lemuai
w. Royce. Of the XIiIth Indiana District. His
father died b,fore Mr.. Royce had reached his
teens. and he was left the chief support Of his
widowed mother and two younger sisters. TheY
lived in The town Of Warsaw, which is still Mr..
Rovce's hone. His first job was weeping out
stores carly in the morning. To the stores he
added one or two law offices. and finally was in
spired by the idea that h. would like TO be a
lawyer
He swept out the stores ard Offices well, and
won the friendship Of his employers, who helped
him along in his ambition He became a lawyer