Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-12
THE CHINESE MINISTER
Entertaining Description of Mr. WIS Char
acteristics.
His Aim and Purpose to Secure
China's Recognition by the
Family of Nations.

! Mr.. WI, the Chinese minister. is receiving
many letters from various parts of the
country, complimenting him upon his Phil
! adelphl speeches. Mr.. WI is a man of
sociable disposition, and is what politicians
call "a good mixer He associates himself
with the people of this country in those
things which interest them and enjoys par
ticipating in public ceremonies. Immediate
ly after returning from Philadelphia, where
he made his speech which attracted wide
attention, he went to New Orleans TO at
tend the Mardi Gras and is but a few
days returned from there, having been re-
ceived with much honor and hospitality
there, as he was in Philadelphia.
There is very little of what is conven-
donally termed Oriental in Mr. Wu's
manners or trend of thought. Instead of
that placidty that seems like indifference,
which is so characteristic of the represen-
tatives of the orient. he has about him
peculiar energy significant of an aim and
purpose in his mission. He is perhaps the
best diplomat China has ever sent to this
country. and is one of the most active of
the diplomatic corps.
FOrceful and Dignided.
Apparently he is impel;ed very little by
curiosity in his visits to the various cities
American people He is not interested in
trivial things and displays none of that
childlike curiosity which is often noticed in
the Chinese of culture while observing the
manners and customs of our people. He is
more European in his manners and makes
a display of superior dignity Apparently
he is man of much force of character
and he has an adroitness 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
discrimination as to official rank, have been
much sought after in Washington society
through curiosity and love of novelty on
account of their popularity of dress and
manner The way in which one minister's
receptions were overrun by the vulgarIy
curious became almost scandal on ac-
count of the bad manners displayed by the
guests-invited and unlimited. Mr.. Wu's
status socially and officially is much firruer
than that founded on oriental dress and
customs, and he has become one of the
most popular of the foreign representatives
at Washington. He appears to have entire
~ overcome the disadvantage which some
of his predecessors labored under of being
an interesting novelty, and is ranked by his
ability.
Alive to Vital Questions,
He is working with one great object in
view, that Of securing for China the rec
ouc Oil independent ara important
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 dis
GUESSING. In doing this he 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 a great interest in social
matters he is constantly working to over
come prejudice against his people, He has
undertaken the herculean task of breaking
down the Chinese exclusion act, in whole
or In part: and of putting China on equal
footing with other nations OF the worjd
and he feels that he has made some prog
ress with the American people, though the
desired end must be yet a long way of.
Though he appreciates the social atten-
ton shown him and seems to take pleasure
in social functions. when he speaks of the
cities he has visited. the people he has seen
and talked to. socially or in public address,
1t becomes evident that his mission, and not