The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-19

WORLD.

WONLU.
The following is an extract from an
interview in the New York World with
Mrs WI, wife of the Chinese minister at
Washington:
Nine. WI smiles otter, which is not
Chinese habit
Il learned to smile in America" she
sid, with illustration. and to laugh.
Chinese very serious people. They not
laugh much; not sing; not dance"
Have they no singing voices?'
How know? They not try. Singing
dance. Here they do, and it make them
hight Of heart Americans happy looking
people, particularly the ladies'. American
ladies all agreeable 1t is their great vir-
tue, like modesty with Chinese. They are
kind and laughing, and open, and-I
would say more; what is it?''
"Hospitable," sugge sted the minister.
"Ahr said Nine WI, her shining eyes
beaming with gratitude. that is it,"
As ripples widen in a brook where peb-
bles fall, so Madame's gratitude and ador-
alton effervesce over each soft word that
falls to her lot from the minister's lips.
''In China" SHE continued, there is no
hospitality; not like here. People not
make calls. They not offer courtesies like
here. Chinese very careful meeIing strang-
ers. They stay close at home. Relatives
make visits some but not very much.
Here everybody come. I get sick, people
call, hope I am better. First 1 not under
stand, China so different. Now 1 like.
Easy to get used being friendly. That is
better than China--more natural. Neigh
bors here better; they are kind They care
about each others homes. In Chira every
body cares about her own.
Sometimes 1 get homesick Then like
to see China. America very fine, but China
all beauty; pretty flowers and birds and
gardens. Houses all made pretty, not so
much bigness but much more balconies
and roofs and gardens This pretty house,
but different"
yet you seem to have moved a good
deal of China here
Nine. WI laughed
"All we can get" she replied, looking
contentedly at the Chinese effects in
weird carvings and Oriental upholsteries
The pictures of the legation are partic-
ularly Chinese in effect and coloring, and
of Nine. Wu's own choosing, for she has
artistic tendencies. But it is in Madame's
boudoir that the real touch of the Orient
is given. Nothing modern or American
mars its quaint Eastern loveliness. The
bed is exquisitely carved and covered with
richly embroidered silk, with which the
couches and walls are draped. Every or
nament is from the Orient, with hand
carved ivory toilet accessories and water
colors Of Chinese water scenes, with lotus
blossoms and Chinese lilies painted on the
white frames Even Madame's maid, as
neat and polished as a wax doll. Is an
importation from her native land. over
everything in the exquisite boudoir Is the
faintest pcs -ible scent of sandalwood. A
revelation in Chinese decorative art are
Madame's apartments at the legation
And a revelation in the tailor's art are
her clothes.
you do not like?' asked Madame,
glancing at her clothes.
No, to be candid 1 didn't like.
me too was the laughing response,
as the quick eyes looked me over critical
": ''your clothes immodest and ungrace-
full"
so are yours, Nine WI"
No" empha ticaly, these modest"
Mime. WI touched the soft silk trousers
as she spoke.
You couldn't get a self-respecting
American woman to appear in trousers"
You not get one of China to appear
without them"
Whi,h mus be a matter Of habit, we
conceded, and which therefore has moth
ing to do with motives or morals So we
passed on.
your coat" I suggested 'is beautiful
in texture ana workmanship but it
doesn't fit"
1T sh:uld not" said Nine. WI, de-
cidedly; sic not modest to fit. Your dress
tco close. That is not nice"
IT'S nsat."
"AhY Nine. WI laughed outright; ''you
not care for neatness."
but I do"
"Then what for you let your dress
drsg?"
well, it's more modest than having it
short like yours, and it's graceful"
mo, no" Madame's eyes binked trium-
phantly; FIRST modesty, then cleanliness;
grace after that No grace without those
first. Can you be graceful without being
clean? Anyway, there's your corset. How
you be graceful when you uncomforta-
ble?'
I'm not uncomfortable. But there are
those poor little feet; how can you be
graceful when you can't walk?"
ct walk" said Madame, who had proved
It by entering the room alone, with the
aid of chairs and tables, then added,
quickly: Anyway, 1 prefer eat 10 walk"
which scored a point for China.
Nine Wu's feet are not four inches
long They look as If they ought never to
touch the floor, but be assigned TO ia
vorite spot on the mantelpiece. They look
like samples of feet in miniature, and re-
mind one of the tiny mo2els Of great bat
tle-ships.
There" 1 said. putting cslf-clsd No.
beside the speck covered with red silk,
lis a real foot meant for service"
~ guess So" said Nine. WI, and shud-
dered.
No wonder the Chinese women stay at
home No wonder they are not nurses on
battleheds or inspired to deeds of valor
No wonder that progress is NOT for them.
They are made prisoners for life with the
dwarfirg of their feet as surely as dove
is trapped when its wings are clipped.
'In China not much use 10 walk" Nine.
WI explained; only around the gardens
at home. Chinese ladies not walk abroad
like Americans In streets they go in
sedan chairs, always with chaperon. folks
in China very careful; young girls guard
ed very carefully. They never meet men
except brothers"
But how can it always be helped?