Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-30
MINISTERS OF THE ORIENT.
An Interesting Trio Represent the
Eastern Countries Mt WASH
fnpfOn.

Now that there is SO much interest excit-
ed by the Eastern question. the represent
atives Of the Orient at our capital find
themselves in unusually conspicuous posi-
tons. Perhaps the one around whom
%centers the greatest curiosity in the minis
ter from China. WI Ting Fang. who is
commonly called, as is the custom in the
East, by his family name, which is placed
hrst. Mr.. WI lives with his wife and only
son IN the magnificent legation building at
the corner of Eighteenth street and Q,
Just two blocks down from the Spanish
embassy.
The house is a fine one of white carved
stone. and covers the large. corner extern
sively. The interior is luxurious. the hand
some hall being paneled on all sides by
dark oak, in which are set rich paintings.
en- suite, and opening into a spacious ball.
room. whose polished floor reflects the light
from highly colored windows and an ex-
quisitely painted ceiling. The attaches. of
which there is a large number, live in the
legation. they dressing in American cloth
ing mostly. while Mr.. WI retains his native
costume.
Mr.. WI is a gentleman about As years Of
age, and belongs to a prominent Celestial
family. After completing his education in
China he went to London. where he studied
made a barrister, afterward practicing law
in Hong Kong. He was soon called upon by
Ii Hung Chang to fill important posts.
p pMHne ra ahem eei agd ' later q he aIrefi in the Rt i ne-
gotiation of the recent treaty between
Japan and China, coming out of the
Korean trouble. Mr.. WI speaks English
fluently.. and his little son. who is a fine
looking boy of 10, goes to school daily to
an American lady. Little Tal-Wen, as he
is called, is gifted with gentle and polished
manners. and learns with extraordinary
quickness, being a great favorite every
where for his kindly disposition.
Hoshi Toru, the minister from Japan. IS
at present keeping bachelors hall. as his
wife has been absent for more than a year
in the Ian of the chrysanthemum. Mr..
Hoshi is a small, dark gentleman. dressing
always in American clothes. highly edu-
Gated and conversing fiuently in English.
The legation is a large house, comfortably
blu not richly furnished. nearly all of the
appointments being made to represent
furniture as 1t Is in japan. the result being
a great deal of dark lacquer work. The
gentlemen of this legation are much like
in society. and seem to be almost Ameri-
canized in their ready adoption of our Gus
toms.
The minister from Korea, Tx that from
China, still adheres to his native costume,
which he and his wife both wear. though
the boy appears In the FREQ knock-about
short pants and Jacket Of the Washington
lads. In Korea Ye Pom Sob was minister
and leader of the progressive party, his
enlightened methods several times causing
him to be exiled. His father was one OF
the most distinguished of the old regime,
being of military rank, while Mr. Ye is a
civilian. An extensive land owner, he is
regarded as very rich. and his ability is
bent to furthering in the little kingdom tha
improvements OF our Western life A rail-