The Washington times., 1901-11-11
MR.. WI MAKES A DENIAL
The Chinese Minister Is Not TO
Become a College Professor.
He Expresses Interest in Report
Based on Persistent Rumors of His
RecnII. But Says 1t Is Incorrect
WhyH HeApproves n Plan Suggested


Based on Persistent Rumors OF His
RecnII. But Says 1t Is Incorrect
why HeApproves n Plan Suggested
WI Ting-fang the Chinese Minister,
was interviewed yesterday regarding the
report sent out from New York that the
trustees of Columbia University. in view
of the rumors of his recall. had, by unan-
imutis vote offered him the chair of Chi
nese about to be founded by that insti-
tuition of learning. Mr. WI at first
smiled The next moment he laughed
heartily at the idea
The authority for the statement and the
details Of the supposed offer were earn
estIy enquired after by the Minister. be-
tween the smiles which came and went
on his jolly countenance. And as the de-
tails were mentioned, in the form of Gu
ruiative evidence, one might as well have
hell we'd that any one particular wave
he had seen breaking on the seacoast
would be the last of its kind. as TO sup
pose that the ripples of laughter would
suddenly cease.
Mr. WI was plainly amused. The mere
thought that some enterprising American
had thought our a new story of the pro
gressive Chfuaman was commonplace. But
and pouring out his words of wisdom to
caliow youths in q college hail. when the
greatest and most successful men Of the
day would crowd d banquet hall for the
purpose, to a large extent. merely of
hearing him comment on present day Gus
toms and affairs-it was all a joke, and
consequently the occasion Of its recital
was the eminently proper time for a
hearty. good laugh. Though it is a fact
that Mr.. Nu Ting-fang was educated in
England, he has since then. as Is well
known. become thoroughly Americanized.
Should his British training reassert it
self. however, as ii sometimes may, for
all the general public knows, he will
laugh again tomorrow when he recalls
the report of his becoming college pro-
fcssor.
Mr. wu Ting-fang. tutor of the Chinese
language and dialects. professor of the
science of applied diplomacy and lecturer
on American customs, habits and laws?
Impossible!
The report originating in New York
stated that last July. at a luncheon Of the
alumni of the univ ersiry. there was read
a letter. the writer of which expressed
the belief that the establishment Of a
chair in Chinese would be d most desir-
offered to students In evidence OF his
confidence in the wisdom of The course
suggested. the writer enriosed check,
it is said. for 100000. Since that time, ac-
cording to the report. an additional SUM
of $4,000 has been received for the carry
ing out Of the same idea
The fitness of he great Chinese dip
lcmat for such post was past dispute.
bat no thought was given to the possi-
bility Of securing mis- services in such a
way until the repetition of the rumors
that Mr.. Wu was TO be recalled from the
Chinese Legation to take another Govern
rneut place in his own country became 50
frequent as to create the impression that
there might be some truth in them The
matter was brought up, Therefore. it WAS
said, at the meeting OF the board OF
trustees a few days ago and faVorabiy
considered, but 50 great secrecy has been
observed by the members Of the board
that such action. # taken, has nOt been
confirmed by anyone in authority.
The opening up of the Chinese Empire
to the commerce OF the weird. and the
great headway already made by the
tinted States IN securing commercial
fothold in the ORIENT were cited in proof
of the assertion that tire proposed pro-
fessorship would be OF great Importance
to the country at large as wei as to the
university. To this air. Wu readily as
scented. but other thoughts We're evidently
in mind. he asked:
DO thar fii-air she. - -. s--s.s.I I'tiasle
IEIe 10 offer me such a prnfessorshipg'
The reporter assured him that ii was
uncoubts dly an indication Of the high es-
teen in which he was held b. the board
Of trustees OF the university in question,
and Of their egret at the thought Of hay-
ing him called back 10 China The Min
lister immediately aCqulesced d in this view
with something Of an intimatiOu that the
idea. when first mentioned. had not ap-
pearcd TO him in that light.
w hat salary would they pay me-" he
asked most directly recalling TO the
newspaper man the manner Of Ii Hung
Chang, un the lattors tour Of this coun-
try, several years ago.
six thousand dollars would be the in
come. suggested the reporter.
s.. AM but you can [ get per cent, can
biously
The reporter had to admit the diplo-
mats more exact knowledge of affairs /
and current conditions. But do you not
regard the idea as good one?' was
asked.
Indeed do" responded Mr.. VIZ. u
made ii myself, two years ago. when en-
q visit TO Philadelphia. when / delivered
an address at the University OF Pennsyl-
Eania- 1t was my Idea that the ostab-
lishment Of such a professorship in this
country, and the issuance Of instructions
to United States Consuls to China TO
carry out the intent OF the movement
would be of great value to both countries
The relations between the TWO countries
nave beeu growing more cordial with the
carrying out of every new commercial In-
dertaking. and the explaining away Of
false ideas and impressions would be
equally valuable to my countrymen and
to The business men OF the United States"
There could be no doubt Of Mr Wu's
thorough approval Of the idea suggested
and Of his desire 10 see it effected
But the University OF Pennsylvania did
not found such a department, did it?'
asked the reporter.
NO. said the Minister somewhat sad
ly. yet with eyes a-twinkle Immediately
They didn't have the slO0.0O0 friend
The report Of his having been offered
the chair Of Chinese at Columbia Cniycr-
sity was thoreupon explicitly denied by
the Minister. He said that he had no
official intimatiOn that his recall from
this country was a likely possibility,
though he added that of course il was !
impossible to predict anything for the u
ture. His reference evidently was to the |
death Of Ii Hung Chang. who was his |
mentor in the beginning Of his diplomatic |
career. For the present. however there !
was no occasion. he said. for considering |
any new moves. and certainly not the ac-
ceptance Of n position which he said had
not been rendered him.