The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-15
DIPLOMAT WI
Chinese Minister Wary
Interviewer.
The Washington Representative
Talks of the Cuisine of
His Country.

II ever Minister WI, who is one of the
ablest diplomats China has sent to the
United States, should wish to leave the
liz es of effort open to such a versatile
man, but if he could be induced to enter
the world of journalism he could justly
be rated as the most adept interviewer of
the century. He invariably turns the Ia
bles on the enterprising young men and
women who are fortunate in obtaining an
audience with him for the purpose of get
ting his views on some specific subject.
With Oriental wariness he is chary about
granting such Interviews, but, once OBJ
tanned, and the conversation started, he
can ask more questions, pertinent, and
sometimes to the American female mind
impertinent. than any man of any nation
atty who has ever held so important a
pest in this country.
| To say that Minister WI has an inquir-
ing mind is to express feebly the range of
subjects upon which he will request and
obtain information from those with whom
he comes in contact. His questions are
subtle, keen, often astounding and fire.
quently humorous, for the Chinese Minis
ter possesses in a marked degree that
lheaven.given gift, sense of humor.
Tfen, too, they are asked in perfect Eng
lish, with scarcely trace OF accent, and
with somewhat peculiar selection of
words to fit the thought and an uncon-
scious interlarding of American slang,
which is highly diverting.
| Minister WI has been greatly in de-
msnd of late as public speaker, and has
made the address at the graduating exer-
cises of several institutions in various
parts of the country this season
Where the graduates are youie women
he Is always especially interested to find
out what disposition they are going to
make of the knowledge they have acquir-
ed, and never rests until he has infinitely
linterrogated each one as to her plans
personal and public. So engaging Is his
way of doing this that many a sweet girl
graduate has confided to this willy diplo.
mat the youthful hopes and aspirations
that are fermenting beneath the dainty
lace and ribbons of her graduation gown
IL Is difficult for the Minister to pir
himself down to one subject, SO quickly
does his intelligence travel from one thins
to another. Therefore, when a reporter
went to see him yesterday to obtain some
Information on the subject of foods ant
cookery. she came away with the knowl
ledge that she had told the great WI ey.
lerything that she had ever known, ant
much that she had never thought of be
lfore, just to keep up the American
womans reputation for always being abb,
to answer a question.
In exchange she was filled with the Min
listers views on variety of subjects, al
the way from the shocking custom O
wearing long gowns on the street to tn
possibility of a woman ever occupying TIN
Presidential chair
The Chinese legation Is house locate,
In the most beautiful part of Washing
ton, the interior of which would deligh
the soul of every woman who loves arts
tic effects. The rooms are dressed 70
summer now and, no matter what tn
ortside temperature might be, lust t
enter the great rooms, with their inlai
wood floors. refreshing green tints of pa
per and hangings, curious screens an
hinsy draperies, would make ones ow,
temperature fall several degrees. In n
! lother house in this country are seen sue
SPECIMENS of the cunning handiwork O
the OCientals. The contents of each roor
represent centuries of skilled labor an
in6efatigable purpose. The embroiderie
on pillows and divan covers are magnif
cent in their art.
Into the great drawing room come
Minister WI. whose personal appearance
Is very striking. He is a tall man, broa