Milford chronicle., 1901-07-12
WI TING FANG.
The Striking Personality of This
Genius From the Orient.

Genius From the Orient.
"Little was known about Minister WI
to Indicate that his career in Washington
would differ materially from those that /
had gone before" says /. A. Coolidge In |
Ainslee's. The brief introduction by |
Minister DENLY, however, contained three |
specifications which were encouraging, to |
say the least He had been admitted |
to the bar in London; he had served the
ex-viceroy, Ii Hung Chang, at Tien-tsin;
he spoke English perfectly. These quail |
fications presumed more or less contact
with western ideas and gave promise of a
capacity to deal understandingly with
American affairs. But that the new min
lister was TO leap at a bound into q posi-
ton of diplomatic influence hardly equal
ed by any of the representatives of the
European powers was not dreamed of
any more than it could have been fore
seen that events in China would culmi-
nate speedily in such a way as to entan-
gle the whole civilized world and give
scope for the highest diplomatic genius.
"No ordinary person could have achiev-
ed this, but WI Ting Fang is the most
extraordinary person who ever came to
us out of the east He is one Of the in
di7iduals-rare in any country-whose in
telligence Is universal In its range. He is
q man Of the world in all that the phrase
implies. There is no company Of men or
women among whom he would not be at
home. His mind plays easily and swift
ly. He is quick Of apprehension and
speedy in response. Sagacious, witty, as
tute, discerning and catholic in sympathy,
his aim has been to learn the ways Of the
country and adapt himself to them. He
is an untirlng student Of American litcra-
ture and customs. lie reads the newspa-
pers religiously and has an intimate ac-
Quaintance with the topics of the day.
He is fond OF travel and likes to meet all
kinds Of people. He sees everybody who
calls to see him at the legation, no matter
how unimportant the person or triiling
the errand.
'1e is democratic In his ways and fond
of good fellowship. But every person he
meets is a specimen to be studied. Like
Ii Hung Chang, and like many other
! Cinnamon Of the class, he Is q living in
terrOgation point. Just how far his in
ccssant flow Of questions is due to a real
desire to learn and just how far it is due
to determination that no embarrassing
question shall be put to him 1t is impossi-
bic to say. Nobody has over yet been
able to treat him to a dose OF his own
medicine. He has a genius for fencing
and parrying personal inquiries which is
comparable only TO the ingenuity he dis
plays in framing Inquiries OF his own.
No one who has not experienced his run
ming fire of questions can realize what a
relentless cross examination means. And
no one that has not undertaken to reply
to his searching queries can appreciate
how difficult 1t is TO explain satisfactorily
to an alien intelligence conditions which
to the ordinary American mind are mat
tiers Of course. His logic Is irresistible.
"His face is a study in physognomy
It lightens with intelligence and hum0r
and vet there are firm set in the features
and n suggestion of sternness in the eye
which betolien sturdy thinking and de
termination. One feels. in talking with
him in his lighteSt moods. that in Other
moods he can bc cruelty severe; that
however gracious and delightful he may
, be. he is not a person to be trifled with
that his lip Is as quick to scOrn as to jes
and that his voice is no better fitted fo
hattery than for command.
physically, he is Of medium hpigh
7 and Of medium build, trife stoutcr per
: haps than the average Of his race an,
clothed with muscles worthy of an ath
, lete. There are few women who woul,
not envy him the perfect teeth, white
; hard and small, which he displays as of
ten as he smiles. He is graceful in hi
movements and carries himself AWAY
3 with dignity that is enhanced by hi
flowing robes Of silk. His manner of life
to all outward appearances. is that Of an
well born American. There is hardly a
! oriental suggestion in the furnishings O
t the handsome house in a fashionabl
o quarter Of the town which he engage
h for legation purposes when he first cam
. to Washington. Alho. WI, whom h
: married 20 years ago in China an
. who looks for all the world as If sb
e had stepped out Of a Chinese pictur,
S pays calls and receives them as rca
S ularly as any other woman Of her station
f She attends the theater with him and fr,
Q quents public places. His Swear old bo
# plays with American youngsters and
n getting an American education; he zoe
to the public schools and beats all III
other children in their studies"