Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-21
WI TINC-FANG IN OMAHA
Spends Few Minutes Here on Way to His
Home Country.
EWES IMPRESSIONS OF UNITED STATES
yays Restless Energy I'm America
Strikes Him and Wants 10 See His
People Take On CONNER
ciaI Activity.

WI T1ng-1ang, mis- imperial Chinese
najesty's envoy extraordinary aud minister
plenipotentiary." passed through Omaha
yesterday, stopping for a little while on
hs way from Washington to San Francisco.
He Is proceeding to China in response to a
command from the head Of the celestial en-
pire by the most direct route and will make
no more long stops on his way.
Minister WI arrived at 0: 20 O'Clock in the
morning on the Northwestern and left for
the west over the Union Pacific. This was
his second visit to Omaha, he having been
here during the first exposition. He re-
membered the city well and some Of its
citizens. Shortly after his arrival at the
Union station he asked OF q. T. Lind
soy, at whose nome he was enter
tanned on his former visit, and Edward
R~osewster, editor Of The Bee. Not being
able to see Mr.. Lindsey, he requested that
the latter be given his regards. Mr.. WI
was able to reach Mr.. Rosewater through
q message, and the latter went to the de-
pot, where he met the Chinese minister.
II dislike to leave the United States very
much. but I feel that the duties Of a higher
position, one OF greater importance to my
country, call me away" said Minister WI.
81 shall take with me the fondest and most
cordial feelings for the American people.
I have enjoyed my stay among your people
more than words can express, and l shall
always naturally regret having to leave
them, though being impressed with the
imperative necessity of doing So"
Restless Energy Impresses Him.
you have been in this country a long
time, Mr.. WI. what has impressed you most
while here? ?" was asked.
The restless energy Of the American
people," anne the reply without hesitation,
as II he might have been just pioneering on
that subject. THE people in this country
are all astir. They are ever active. Never
d%roning. We in China are Of a different
temperament. We take things easier, and
rs a result we accomplish less. That Is
why our country today appears to have
stood still SO many centuries. But we have
a people who can appreciate and handle
progress, and we are approaching the time
when there will be a complete revolution
In our national life"
Then drifting from that to some Of the
needs Of China, the diplomat said:
among the things we are mostly in need
Of over yonder are newspapers, schools and
railroads. All Of these are educational In
Btitutions and we must have more general
education. We need the railroads to open
mp communication among our people, we
heed newspapers to let us know what is
going on In the outside world and we must
have more schools to train and develop
The minds of our young people, in whom,
like the youth OF America, are to be found
the possibilities OF a newer and greater
government. II we could only have such
newspapers, railroads and schools as you
have here In this country our advancement
would be marvelously rapid and unlimited.
II our people had the supreme advantages
20 a all -
formed on the doings Of other nations they
would soon see and embrace their oppor- |
tunities in commercial lines. We would
soon become one of the greatest CONNER
sial nations OF the world"
Admires American Newspapers.
81 am a great admirer of the American
newspaper. 1t represents all the startling
energy and enterprise there is in this great
nation. / have enjoyed the most pleasant
and cordial treatment at the hands OF the
press of this country and naturally ! have
a warm place in my heart for them, aside
from being compelled to admire them for
their general worth"
Speaking of the duties which call him
back to China, Minister WI said:
Il go to become minister Of commerce.
As such 1t will be my duty to revise and
SYSTEMATIC the commercial laws and trea-
ties Of our country. They are numerous
and complex, and the task will be a long
and arduous one. But this work must be
done, and done as soon as possible. The
present condition of our treaties with other
countries alone forms a serious obstacle to
our further progress. The demand for the
performance of this work simply is i'm,
p~erative. I shall go first to Shanghai and
then will proceed to Pekin to enter upon
my new work.
II have been in the United States since
1897. l leave it reluctantly and am recon-
ciled In my going only by the knowledge
that l an called away for the performance
OF higher duties to my country than con-
front me here. I cannot adequately ex-
press my regards for the American people
and their treatment OF me. 1 carry away
with me the profoundest respect and love
for them all. l shall never be able to ex-
press my deep feelings OF gratitude to-
ward the late President Mckinley, one OF
the noblest OF men; President
Roosevelt, the secretary OF state
and the other secretaries and men OF
ofncial life in Washington with whom I
came In contact while here. value nv
stay in this grand country as among the
most precious periods of my life. doubt
less will never return to America in any
of1eial capacity. Some other mission NAV
call me back, I can't tell"
Mrs. WI and the ministers son are not
with him on his journey. but will remain
in this country for a while. Mrs. WI. like
her illustrious husband, has won great
popularity In Washington. where she Is one
Of the best known women. She is said 10
possess a personality OF the most admirable
sort.