The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-14

Washington July 13.-Minister WI, the
Chinese minister at Washington, was not
surprised to hear OF a successor to him
self, as he has been expecting an an
nouncement of this character for some
time He had received notice that his
services would be required in another ca
pacity, and for this reason has been pre-
pared to hear of the naming of his sue
cessor at any time. Sir Liam Chen, the
wly-appointed minister, is compara'
lively young man, being only little over
40 years of age Like the present minis
ter, he is said to be man of progressive
ideas, whose opinions have been formed
from his education which was received
partly in the United States, from his
former connection with the Chinese em-
bassy and from his contact with Euro
pean civilization in the course of several
special missions.
Educated in United Staes.
Chen was one of the four parties of
Chinese boys who we're sent to the United
States about twenty years ago for the
purpose of completing their education.
The idea of the Chinese government was
to have each of the boys spend fifteen
years in this country-ten years in the
preparatory schools and the remainder
in the universities.
Before Chen had completed his course.
however, the plan was discontinued and
he returned home. While Chang was
minister to Washington some years ago.
Chen served as assistant interpreter dur
ing the three years of his incumbency;
later he was secretary of special mis-
sion sent to Japan, and when the jubilee
of Queen Victoria was celebrated he filled
a similar position to the embassy which
went to London. 1t was from his connec-
ton with the latter mission that he OBJ
tanned knighthood and received the title
of Sir Last year when China dispatched
a special mission to Germany to make
formal apologies for the murder of Baron
Won Ketteler. Chen was member of the
party.
Minister WI has not been officially ad-
vised of the appointment of his successor.
WI Has Done Great Work.
The retiring minister, Mr.. WI, has
been at this capital since April 1897. His
relations with the administrations of
PreS1uenI MCKINNEY ana Roosevelt mas
been of a most cordial character. The
ordinary term of ministers of the Chinese
diplomatic service is three years and
they are not reappointed Mr.. Wu's terms
of service, however, has been continued
indefinitely from time to time. He was
of great assistance to his government
during the Boxer troubles. Several
months ago he was appointed a member
of the commission TO codify the existing
Chinese laws and prepare set of modern
laws for his country and 1t is this bus
mess which in all probability the Chinese
government has in store for him when
he returns to his native land. Mr.. WI
also Is minister to Spain and Peru
New ministers to Russia, France and
Italy have also been named. The selec-
tions for these points show that the
dowager empress contiues to regard the
diplomatic service as unimportant. None
of the appointees is of higher than the
blue button rank and none has held any
important office. All of them except
Lang Chen Tung are known to the for
eign community. Liang Chen Tung's ap-
pontment pleases the Americans here
The newly appointed diplomat was edu-
Gated in America. He is graduate of
Yale and is able. dignifed and honest
sent to America in the seventies to re-
ceive recognition BETTING their accom-
plishments the Chinese officials having
disliked them because of their progress
sive views.