The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-13
WI TING FANG AND THE REPORTERS.


When his EXcellrnCy WI ling Fang.
the Chinese Minister. with whore name
the word clever" ia now linked in
vnriably. rose to respond 10 n toast
at D"lmonico's recently before the American
Asiatc association, which was feasting sir
Thomas Jackson, and said that he had not cX'
pectsd to be called upon for a speech at the din
npr, some or his hearers seemed To think that the
Minister wa, simply using an expression often
used bv after dinner speakers who haven't had
the time To prepare their speeches The news
paper reporters who were present, knew. how
ever, that the Minister meant what he said
Several OF the reporters had already had an
interesting talk with the Minister which was
not down on the programme. The reporters
were sitting in an ante-room Just Of the banquet
hall or red room. waiting for the diners to fin
isa eating. when Wu Ting Fang, with a rustic Of
his silk robes. walked into the room to find a
place of deposit for some at his ambassadofiai
raiment. He saw the reporters as soon a. they
saw him, and apparently realized what they
were in "A fash. lie walked over 10 a reporter
who was looking over some Introductory pages
OF the dinner which he had already written,
You are neWspapor man" asked the Minis
ter, IN II ton" oi interest rather than curiosity.
The reporters told the Minister that they were.
WI Ting Fang then pointed his finger at the
reporters notes and smiled understandingIy.
He then noticed that among the notes we're sew
eral pages OF typewriter matter.
What Is that; he asked.
The REPORTER told nina II was a copy Of the
speech syiich Mr.. fraiar, the President Of the
Association, was 70 denver in "A few minutes.
On, SAID the NJ nlster-.t was a long-drawn
out ,oh. h, bC see owl what at % 1% ,arqn; Batomwta
interest what Is the Presidents speech
about"
The reporter thought that It would hardly
hn a breach of trust To- d.~closc the nature of the
speech 70 such a p-Isundge and hc np'lined IN IA
few word III, speech, which bruised Sir Thomas
Jackson for his good administration Of the az
fairs Of thu ShanghG! BanNInE CORPORATION and
contained ali sorts Of pleasing illusions 10 the
| EnrIlshman's value as a h%nancper and a man,
All, see " sad the Minister.
He thought for a moment and then asked the
reporter who were 10 be the other speakers nt
| the dinner.
"Srr Thomas, replied The reporter, Bishop
Potter, President : Ia Low OF Columbia INT
versity and Your fHce. encr-
What" broke in WI Ting Fang Are YOU
sure? | accepted the invitation to his dinner
on the assurance thar II was a. be- an informal
aiiair md of course, | didn't expect TO s. ~lk
Can il be- that my name Is on the list Of
speakers?"
Tho Minister rcali' looked worried. lie had
not anticipated beng called upon To speak that
wa rft"ll
Bnt WIIh, shaii ! ialK apout, ne ashed
linen wl'h a slnlle Ne H'sCloseu an enn'iy poCE"'
from somewhere 10 'le M sl'rIulS lolo. % ms
gown You zee ! nave no sler!h written out
mere Nhal ahhII sielE .pnuIi -
four IxceIlehc uust CIV VIZ s0n,ethlhg
llNeiv, sahl one OF Uhe rptort|rs ftFhAIss
YOU hl'gl, shtak o. ,hr , lnn's' ENcIdsi'h Acli
., ms tNcriiehcN' h1"-Vor' sh3ok M htad'
f" mighi lalh, ne sall on tllat I,Iple.t Dut IDS
was a representative dinner and he didn't wish
u onend ahNbndl ies,drN, me Ioplc was not
OF burning interest," NJ present One OF me re-
porters th'h salu, IN = ue4lr" 10 keen ull lnr con-
versatlon, mar the ihpur unions mere wer" yak
ing about legislation 10 keen out 'mnlGrants
from o,ner natluhS; h9tapiy Jhlan Inc N!ln-
!Ster' VINO appeared 70 re Vety mnth Interested;