The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-28
He Is Vice Commissioner of the Inn
perfnl Chinese Commission to the
st. Louis WirId's Fair.
HE MAKES FINE IMPRESSION
Is A SCHOLARLY MAN, WHO SPEAKS
ENGLISH FLUENTLY.
Poetry, He Says, Was Early Developed
I'm China-some Chinese Poetry
Recfted.

scholarly talk on Chinese Poetry by MI.
Wong Kai Kah, vice commissioner of the
imperial Chinese commission for the st.
Louis fair Mr.. Wong Kai Kah was edu-
Gated In America and speaks English per-
fectly. He came to the United States in
1872 when twelve years old, and attended
school here for nine years. He was chiefly
educated at Harvard. He has an attrac-
tive and charming personality, delivered
his lecture in classic English, and the Con-
temporary Club was delighted with him.
Alfred F. Potts. president of the club.
introduced Mr.. Wong Kai Kah briefly but
gracefully. ut seems to me- said the
president, that China might have sent
missionaries to US in exchange for ours
sent to them. They might have taught
US something of the beauties of their in
stitutions and the wisdom of their litera-
ture." Mr.. Potts said he thought 1t was
time we were getting acquainted with our
near neighbors,' and his suggestion was
applauded. Mr.. Wong Kai Kah for nearly
two hours talked of the literature of China
and of the sayings of Confucius. He ap-
peared in the costume of the Chinese nobil-
ity. II believe" said he, that no foreign
orator has ever appeared before an Amer
lean audience with a feeling of confidence,
because you are a country of born orators
If L fall short tonight 1t Is the fault OF
your American colleges where l was edu-
Gated"
DEVELOPED IN CHINA.
The lecturer said that poetry was early
developed in China. 1t fostered music. and
while the arts OF painting and sculpture
were struggling in their infancy poetry was
recognized as a civilizing power. From
the early dawn OF history" said he. poetry,
we told, helped to mold and soften
the character of the ancient Chinese who,
either as shepherds, woodsmen or farmers,
surrounded by nature with which they daily
held close communion, were powerfully
aroused and unconscious of heart gave
vent in poetic language to the deep emotions
which stirred their souls like Burns sing
ing behind his plow."
The lecturer told how Confucius, being
a moral teacher and wishing to guide the
masses and ruling class by setting before
them better models and higher standards
in morality, politics and religion, collected
| the poetry of the various feudal states Of
China and selected out Of the bulky mate
rial 81 poems which he intended should be
models of their kind for improving and re-
| filming the taste Of the nation. THE highest
| aim of poetry, according to him. said the
lecturer. was the education of the heart
and the betterment of mankind And is
| not this the true aim OF the psalms and
other poetical books of the Bible and the
| sacred hymns CT modern times?"
YEARNING OF KING YEN.
Mr.. Wong Kai Kah recited Chinese
poem-one of those selected by Confucius. 1t
depicts the yearning Of King Yen for a
beautiful country lass, who finally became
his Queen All virtue, Confucius thought,
must begin in the family which in his sys-
tenn of political ethics has been made the
/ cornerstone OF the empire. This poem
paints the Kings yearnings, his courtship.
| his happiness Of pure conjugial love and his
| efforts to secure Ii at any price, just as
CN1A
things. The following is a translation OF
| the poem:
las calls the water bird his mate
On yonder eyote IN the stream,
The maiden lovely and sedate
Our Prince will court with love supreme.
"As lilies. in confusion wild.
Are tossed about along the streams.
His thoughts shall chase in restless dreams.
In dreams anon his thoughts would chase;
When sadness gnaws his heart within
His soul in sleeplessness Ger Strays.
GAS lilies in their summer pride
| Are picked by hands that love inspires:
This maiden fair did he decide,
To wed with music from his Tyres.
"As lilies growing side by side
Our Prince viii claim this maid. his bride
Mid roll of drum and chime OF bell''
GOOD WHILE AGO.
The lecturer said that these poems wer,
compiled by Confucius $500 years ago, ant
about the end of the third century, B. c.
were burned by decree of the First EN-
peror." The Emperor wanted no ancien
landmarks, wishing to begin history anew
by instituting a new epoch, with himself
as the first sovereign. He had no love 70
the teachings OF the ancient sages. "Th'
burning of the books" said Mr.. Wong Ia
| Kah, has been as great blow to Chimes
scholarship as the burning of the Alexan
~ flNror hos faxznr 1fwzow
Europe"
Mr.. Wong Kai Kah said that Confuciu
strove TO make poetry moral power. tn
winged messenger Of virtue. BY its musi
and melody, which steals softly into tn
heart of man. he hoped to raise the tom
and polish the manner of society.
After his talk on Chinese literature Mr.
| Wong kai KAN very graciously replied 4
numerous queries from his interested audi
tors regarding the customs Of his peopl
and his country. At length discussion o
the Chinese restriction laws strongl.
adhered To by this country arose, and tn
guest OF the evening gave some pronounce
in his criticism OF its stringent measures
although he did not maintain that foreigl
countries had right to make the Amer
lean shores their dumping ground. He tool
the position that America should exclud
a certain class of Chinese, but that tn
law should not be made to operate agains
the whole country. He gave instance
where Cinnamon have procured passport
| from American consuls In the Orient an
| nave been refused admission to this cOun
| try by the custom-house officials. Some o
our people, said he. have had to retur
| home with passports in their pockets, an
they have naturally done so with a YER
bad opinion OF Americas ways. He CAV
| an instance OF Chinese boy who sailed I
this country, disembarked at Vancouver
went UP into Canada, and when he go
ready to enter the United States tried I
cross the boundary line. His purpose Il
coming TO this country was TO get an edu
cation. He was promptly held up by
custom-house officer.
What do you propose to do in this coun
try? asked the official.
Il came here TO study English said tn
boy.
WELL this is not England" declared til
officer. This is America. You have struc
the wrong country"
Mr.. Wong Kai Kah expressed some dsap
pointment that he would not be able [
carry out a cherished plan in connectio
with the ST. Louis exposition He had plan
ned to bring TO the exposition company O
skilled workmen, such silk and lace max
ers, etc. with view TO showing the Ameri
can people what is doing in the way @
skilled labor in China. He will be unable I
, \ go ahead with his scheme as he had hope
because or the restrictions placed upon hir
| by the Treasury Department. He woul
! have TO deposit $500 bond for each Chimes
laborer brought to st. Louis. and with
; WY face he said to his audience that
would cost $685. 600 In bonds which he coul
n ba