New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-24
MINISTER WI ON FOOD.
HE CoMMENDs AMERICAN COOKING, BUT
PREFERS CHINESE-LAUGHS AT THE
IDEA OF EATING MICE.

If ever Minister w. who is one Of the ablest
diplomats China has sent to the United States,
should wish 10 leave the field Of diplomacy there
would be many lines of effort open TO such
versatile man. but IL he could be induced to enter
the world Of Journalism he could Justly be rated
the most adept interviewer of the century. He
invariably turns the tables the enterpTistng
young men and women who are fortunate in OBJ
tanning an audience with him for the purpose OF
getting his views specific subject. With
Oriental wariness he is chary about granting such
interviews but obtained. and the converse
ton started, he ask questions, pertinent,
and sometimes 10 the American female mind i'm
pertinent, than any OF any nationality who
has ever held so important post in this country.
To say that Minister WI has inQuiring mind
Is TO express feebly the range Of subjects upon
which he will request and obtain information from
those with whom he IN contact His ques-
tions are subtle, keen. often astounding and fire.
quently humorous, for the Chinese Minister posses
ses IN a marked degree that heaven given g1ft
sense Of humor Then, too, they asked in per-
feet English, with scarcely trace of accent, and
with somewhat peculiar selection OF words to
mt the thought and an unconscious interlarding Of
American slang. which Is highly diverting
Minister WI has been greatly in demand of late
a public speaker, and has made the address at
the graduating exercises OF several institutions in
various parts Of the country this season. Where
the graduates young women. he is always
especially interested find out what disposition
they going TO make Of the knowledge they
have acquired, and rests until he has
infinitely Intercepted each to her plans
personal and public So engaging is his way Of
doing this that many q sweet girl graduate has
confded 10 this willy diplomat the youthful hopes
and aspirations that fermentng beneath the
dainty lace and ribbons Of her graduation gown.
It Is difficult for the Minister to pin himself down
10 subject quickly does HIS intelligence
travel from one thing 20 another. Therefore when
Tribune reporter went to him yesterday to
obtain some information on the subject Of foods
and cookery, she came away with the knowledge
that she had told the great WI everything that she
had ever known. and much that she had never
thought Of before, just to keep up the American
woman's reputation for always being able to an
swer question. In exchange, she was filled with
the Minister'S views a variety Of subjects all
the way from the shocking custom Of wearing long
gowns on the street 10 the possibility of a WON
ever occupying the Presidential chair.
AT THE CHINESE LEGATION.
The Chinese Legation is a house located in the
most beautiful part OF Washington the interior of
which would delight the soul Of every woman who
loves artistic effects. The rooms are dressed for
summer now and 20 matter what the outside
temperature might be, just 10 enter the great
rooms with their inlaid wood floors, refreshing
green tnts Of paper and hangings. curious screens
perature fall several degrees. In other house
in this country are seen such specimens Of the
OF each room represent centuries OF skilled labor
ana lndefatlgabIe purpose. The embroideries on
art.
Into the great drawing room comes Minister yvr
whose personal appearance is very striking. He
IS tai man, broad in proportion with a most in
telligent face and magnificent teeth, which
ouently seen to advantage in attractive smile
His eye lights up instantly at little joke on the
part either of his visitor Of himself His manners
are cordial, and he shakes hands with an earnest
ness that saYOrs more of the English custom than
the more hipPant American style.
When questioned 10 how Chinese cookery com
pared with American cookery in healthfulness and
taste, the Minister said:
COOKERY IN CHINA
y think the manner in which Americans have
their food prepared, and especially the way In which
they eat their meats. IS perhaps more bea1fbf,l
than in China, bat when II comes 10 a question of
which tastes best, there have you We would
not be content 70 eat for instance leg Of mutton
simply boiled. With It would have cooked some
vegetable which would impart its favor Ia the
meat, ana nave the whole dish highly sea soned ard
&arnlsned with cucumber or something OF that SORT
20 with all OF our meats We would not "a re for
lheEl cooked alone. as you enjoy them THAT Is
We would not IKE such preparation as a constant
Ihlrg- we want variety. We Ike Ulentv ola 6
good things mixed with heavy dishes W
Personally, enjoy American cookery very we'll