New-York tribune., 1900-08-05
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
ANXIETY FELT BY MINISTER wU-TRIB-
UTE TO REAR-ADMIRAL HICHBORN-
SENATOR sPooNER's COMPLIMENT.

washington, " aug. (SpeCia).-Ihe Cnlnese
Minister begins TO show the strain he has been
under for several weeks and looks hollow eyed
and pale. His face wears strained and anxious
expression. and no one talks to him without
being convinced that he has been as concerned
regarding the fate of the imprisoned Ministers
as the most loyal American and has suffered
with those about him from the long suspense.
AT no time did Mr.. WI abandon the belief that
the diplomats besieged in the legation city were
safe, which was confirmed upon the reception
or Mr. Conger'T answer to Secretary Hays
cable dispatch. but he felt the impossibility of
converting sceptical people to his point of view,
and the wait for authentic news was a long
one. The Chinese Legation has been under po-
nee surveillance since the first news of the
jeopardy Of the American Minister reached
Washington, lest harm should come to Mr.. Wu
or some of his staff through the Vaccinations of
those lawless cranks who amuse themselves by
sending threatening and abusive letters to
China's representative. and the members of the
Legation live practically in a glass house, so
constantly they watched by interested
neighbors and vigilant newspaper correspond
ents who see to it that nothing concerning the
genial envoy from the Celestial Empire and his
staff escapes them
There are no leisure hours for Mr.. WI at this
time, and the days too short for him to see
the innumerable people who call. for his visits
very frequently and the sending of his vo!umi-
nous dispatches. In the evening he seeks rest
and refuge in Dupont Circle, a park in the
vicinity OF the Legation where he is accom-
panied by Mrs. WI, whose tiny feet make it
necessary for her to he wheeled in an invalid's
chair; his son, and some members of the staff;
but even here he is not safe from intrusion
The ubiquitous newspaper reporter follows him
everywhere, but he has willy man to deal with
nd
the Minister he has little opportunity to ask
the ones he has carefully prepared
Mr. Wu is warm in his expressions regarding
the Presidents selection Of Mr RockhiIl as a
special envoy to China, ard commends his
choice highly, saying that M. Rockhill's knowl-
edge of the Chinese language and the character
of the people, together with his diplomatic
training. will enable him to send accurate and
unprejudced reports, and that, having lived in
the country so many years, his advice will be
f! invaluable This opinion Is shared by the
diplomatic circle generally, and the President
is congratulated being able a moments
notice to secure eminently equipped
for this important mission.
No one, surely could look unlike
Mongolian than Mr.. Rockhll He is very tall,
broad shouldered. and of athletic build with
sandy hair, blue eyes and peculiarly fair
plexion, yet it Is told of him that when making
! his famous explorations i'll Thibet, deserted by
his guides and forced to resort to subterfuge to
escape the murderoGs bands by which he was
surrounded, he disguised himself as China
man. and was accepted in that character by all
whom he met. coming finally to safe refuge.
Mr.. RockhilTs records of his travels in Thibet
were published by the Smithsonian Institution
in of its annual reports and are valuable
addition to the literature concerning a country
and people about which little IS known. This
paper is written in clear and agreeable style.
and has as much interest for the layman the
anthropologlst. The Smithsonian has. too, the
collection made by Mr. Rockhill when in Thibet.
An interesting story Is told apropos of a re-
porter's zeal to obtain news from the Chinese
Legation regarding affairs in Peking. He
young and enterprising fellow sent by his editor
TO take the place of the regular Washington
correspondent while the latter was away his
vacation and he had spent the whole morning
, IN the vicinity Of the Legation endeavoring to
pick up something, not knowing that the most
direct way would have been to see the Minister
himself who is invariably kind about granting
interviews He was about to abandon his prof.
ecc when an intelligent looking and well dressed
Chinaman came down the steps of the Legation
and responded pleasantly to his greetings
that the newspaper man, taking him for one of
Mr.. Wu's secretaries Joined him.
do you think the Ministers are still aliveE
began the reporter, abruptly.
What Minister'S asked John Chinaman,
looking stupidity at his interlocutor.
This was diplomacy with a vengeance thought
the reporter but he patiently explained the
whole Chinese situation to his companion.
Now, what is your opnon?" he asked. Are
they alive Or have they been nurdered?"
'They might be and they might not be-"
marked John, noncommttally.
Failing to elicit an opinion as TO the fate of
the Ministers, he asked for information regard
ing the leaders of the various parties in China.
DO you believe Prince Tuan is as cruel and
!! wicked as they say?" he ouered.
Dun know. dun know" and the Chinaman
/ shook his head YEARLY.
But, undeterred, the reporter went through
the whole list He was unsuccessful however,
in gaining any knowledge his companion an
/ swering always, Dun know, dun know Final
y quite desperate at his inability to make some
thing of what he looked upon rare
! chance. a walk with of the legations secre-
taries he asked, appeangly
Well surely you know something Of the
! Dowager Empress. What do you think of her?'
Me no thlnkee." responded the Chinaman,
| me washee." and with this parting announce
ment he disappeared into laundry by, of
| which he is the proprietor.
! Upon his recent return from San Francisco,
| which he visited while tour Of inspection
of the navy yards on the Pacific Coast, Rear
| Admiral Hichborn was the recipient of a beaut-
| ful floral tribute in commemoration of his forty
| years service in the Navy, from the employees
! of the Bureau of Construction. He received, too.
| the personal congratulations of every member
| of his staff who regret his approaching retire