Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-20
He Discusses the Situation Now Ex-
isting in China.
ALL DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDING
He Has Received No Definite In
formation.
HOPE IN Ii HUNG CHANG

The minister plenipotentiary and envoy
extraordinary of China held up his hands
in protestation at the suggestion OF war
between China and the powers.
"Ba, Ba, Bal" he exclaimed. as he ap
peared to wave the mere suggestion of
war away from him.
Minister Wu had received a Star reporter
at his home with bland smile and before
he could be interviewed became the inter-
viewer, making numerous inquiries con-
cerning the news from China. When he
was told that there was no news later than
that which had been published, he nodded
his head with an air of satisfaction and his
face became luminant with a smile.
Good he said. mo news is good
news"
Then, referring to the incidents in ,hina
in the last few days. he declared his con-
fidence that misunderstanding was re-
sponsible for everything that had occurred
Misunderstanding.
Il see the Taku forts have been taken"
he said. THAT came about through mis-
understanding. l am sure. l suppose 1t was
the result of indiscreet action on the part
of somebody When the officers in the
forts saw the warships coming up the river
considered it their duty to keep them out.
There must have been some misunderstand-
ing. The fact that kilograms in The Star
show that the empress has been degrading
some officials connected with the Taku
forts shows that the government did not
sanction the affair. That is clear enough.
II wish people would understand our Gus
toms. manners. education and language.
and then it would all be different You
think one way and we think another way.
That is the stumbling block and great him
drance to a free exchange of ideas and
cordial friendship If our people could un-
derstand foreigners l understand you
there would be no disagreement.
Indiscrect Foreigners.
There are many good foreigners in Chi
ma. but they are indiscreet and offend the
sensibilities of the people. and, | guess, that
is the cause of all this trouble. 1t is pity,
of course. In any dispute both parties are
wrong to a certain extent. You cannot say
either party is wholly to blame We have
but few men among our officials in China. l
arn sorry to say. who understand foreign
ideas and who can avoid these difficulties.
/ am very sorry we have very few such
meil especially in Pekin. From their point of
view they are perfectly right. They have
their own way of thinking. They say that
China has been going on so many centuries
they do not see why they should reform
They do not understand the present situa-
ton. Foreigners are now scattered all over
China
The minister then inquired about the
Philadelphia convention and urged his in
terviewer TO tell him who would be nomi-
mated for the vice presidency. When doubt
was expressed, he asked:
And who will they nominate for Presi-
dent? Can you tell that?" and he laughed
at his own question.
The minister was interrupted by a caller
at this stage of the interview. 1t was the
representative of a yellow Journal" and
when the minister heard its name he sug-
gested its color with a good-natured laugh.
When asked by his new caller if a state
of war existed he became highly Indignant
No state of War.
State of war! Ba! Ba! Bar he ex-
claimed, and then he repeated what he had
already said about misunderstanding
having caused the firing of the guns at the
Taku forts.
Such a thing occurred some years ago
in Tien Tsin," he explained. zone of the
officials wanted to honor the officers of
Warship that was coming in anG he ordered
the firing of a salute. The salute was fired
ard the foreigners were insulted and there
was great trouble. 1t was all mistake"
The minister was satisfied that the pend
ing trouble in China would be cleared up
and a better understanding would be had.
He said he had means of getting news
from Pekin, as he was not communicated
with unless his aid was wanted in commu-
nicating with the United States government
he mad heard nothing about Ii Hung
Chang being ordered to Pekin except from
press reports, but he expressed satisfaction
over the report. as. he said, Lii Hung Chang
belonged to the progressive element and
mad dealt with the Boxers successfully be-
fore.
Mr.. WI lays much stress on the fact that
Lii Hung Chang is an honored and trusted
servant of the empress dowager and a man
belonging to the progressive element in his
country. 1t was for his valuable work in
past years In dealing with organizations
like the Boxers that Ii received some OF
the honors conferred upon him.