New-York tribune., 1900-07-08
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
THE CHINESE MINISTER'S ABILITY AND
POPULARITY.
DR. CUEsTAs WORKING FOR URUGUAY-PRINCE
DE JoINvILLE IN WASHINGTON.

Washington, July minister WI is for
the moment the most regarded figure in Wash
ingtOn and constantly heset by interview
ers. who seek to ascertain his opinions on every
possible subject, and photographers who are
ambitious to catch him in extraordinary poses
Ee endu-es the scrutiny TO which he is subjected
with true Oriental calm. his attitude toward his
visitors is diEnified and courteous and so far
he has done nothing to diminish his popularity
neither seeking to exploit himself nor endeavor-
ing to escape any Obligations imposed by his
position. 1t is three years since WI Ting Fang
was accredited as Minister to the United States
succeeding Yang Yu Who in the present crisis
represents his Government at the Court Of St
Petersburg His term OF Office expired on
May J. and ii is quite against the custom
and traditions Of the Chinese Foreign Office to
allow an Envoy 10 serve two terms at the same
post, but Mr. WI has been so eminently persona
grata in this country so useful to his own that
his service here has been indefinitely extended
and unless a state of war is declared to exist in
China making It necessary for this Government
10 hand him his passports, he will remain here
indefinitely.
Mr.. Wu was educated in China but his legal
studies were completed in London, and he was
the first Of his countrymen to be made an Eng
li=h barr.steT. After Leaving England he visited
the United States where his knowledge Of Eng
pleasant and profitable On his return to
China MI WI soon attracted the attention of
Ii Hung Chang who attached his brilliant
young c0untryman to his staff his legal ad-
wiser. making him at the same time Deputy Of
Foreign Affairs in Tien-Tsn. Through this as
sociation there grew up between the greatest
Oriental statesman Of the age and Mr. Wa a
warm friendship, and it was through his dis
tingushed patrons influence that the present
Chinese Minister was accredited to this country,
to Spain where he spent the last summer and
to Peru. whittier he had planned 10 go this sum
rner on business for has Government, trip post
poned because Of the present complications
Mr. Wu's career in his own country dis
tinguished one 1t was through his influence
and under his direction that the first railroad
was built in the Celestial Kingdom. and of his
part in this he is prOuder than Of any other in
cident of his official life. He was secretary of
tn. embassy in the Peace Commission in Japan,
and was subsequently named as Minister P'sni-
r,otentiary for the exchanging Of the ratifica-
tons Of the peace treaty. Too much cannot be
said in praise Of his service in this country. He
seems from the first fully to have understood
the American character, and although he has oc-
cupied a conspicuous position, has been in con
slant demand post prandial speaker. and
has been solicited to give his opinion on sub
tects Of varied character widely removed from
bts profession, he has made mistakes. His
wit and frankness. his perennial good humor
have won for him the regard not only OF the
people who know him but OF the public at large
# would be widely regretted, indeed, If it should
be found necessary to give this amlaple ana ols-
tinguished diplomatist his passportA-