Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-04-10
THE CHINESE MINISTER.
ENTERTAINING DESCRIPTION OF Mr..
WIS CHARACTERISTICS.

Mr.. WI, the Chinese minister, Is re-
ceiving many letters from the various
parts OF the country, complimcnting
him upon his Philadelphia speeches.
Mr.. WI Is = man of sociable disposition,
snd Is what politicians call "a good
mixer He associates himself with the
people Of this country In those things
which interest them, and enjoys psrticl-
psting 10 public ceremonies. lmmedi-
stely after returning from Philadelphia,
where he made his speech which attract
ed wide attention, he went 10 New Or
leans to attend the Msrdi Grss, and
Ia but few days returned from there,
having been received with much honor
and hospitality there, as he was In Phil
sdelphis.
There IL very little Of what IL conven-
tionslly termed "orientAr' In Mr.. wu's
manners or trend OF thought. lnstead
OF that plscidity that seems like indlffer-
ence, which Is so characteristic OF the
representatives OF the orient, he has
about him peculiar energy significant
of an aim and purpose In his mission.
He IL perhaps the best diplomat China
has ever sent TO this country, and IL one
Of the most active OF the diplomatic
corps.
Apparently he Is impelled very little
by curiosity In his visits to the various
cities Of this country, and his mingling
with the American people. He Is not
interested In trivial things and displays
none Of that child-like curiosity which Ia
often noticed In the Chinese OF culture
while observing the manners and Gus
toms of our people. He Is more Euro
peau 10 his manners and makes display
Of superior dignity. Apparently he Is a
man OF much force OF character, and he
has an sdroitness OF address which has
commanded for him great deal OF re-
spect among the most capable diplomats
at Washington. In years past the mem
bers Of the Chinese legation, without
much determination as TO official rank,
have been much sought after 10 Wash
ington society through curiosity and
love OF novelty, on account OF their pc
culisrity Of dress and manner. The way
In which one minister's receptions were
over-run by the vulgsrly curious became
almost q scandal on account OF the bad
manners displayed by the guests-in-
viSed aud unlimited. Mr.. wu's status,
socially and officially, Is much firmer
thsu that founded on oriental dress aud
customs, and he has become one OF the
most popular of the foreign representa-
tives ut Washington. He appears to have
entirely overcome the disadvantage
which some OF his predecessors lsbored
under of being an interesting novelty,
aud IL ranked by his ability.
He Is working with one great object In
view, that of securing for China the rec
IGNITION due an independent and impor-
tsnt member OF the family OF nations,
and OF impressing the American people
with the idea that the Chinese have some
interest In the Chinese questions which
the United States and the powers OF
Europe are discussing. In doing this be
has shown that he is neither lacking In
information nor prone TO Indifference.
He is alive TO the great questions OF the
hour, and while seeming TO take great
interest In social matters, he Is constant
" working to overcome prejudice against
his people. He has undertaken the her
culean task Of breaking down the CHI
nese exclusion act, In whole or In part,
and Of putting China on equal footing
with other nations of the world, and ne
feels that he has made some progress
with the American people, though the
desired end must be vet long way on.
Though he appreciates the social atten-
ton shown him and seems to take pleas
ure In social functions, when ne speaks
Of the cities he has visited, the people ne
has seen and talked to, socially or IN
public address, It becomes evident that
his mission, and not the entertainment
OF the hour. Is uppermost In his mind
Washington Star.