Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-09-25
WI Ting Fung Again Ap-
pointed Chinese Minister.
viii Represent the Celestial
Empire at Washington.
Rs.appointment Regarded as Grand
Triumph For Him.

Pekin. Sept 2i-The disappointment
of WI Ting Fang TO his former post as
minister OF China at Washington, was
gaZetted today.
WI Ting Fang was re-appointed late
yesterday, but the fact was not ga
Zetted until this afternoon. The Ameri-
cans here ascribed the action taken by
the throne to the friendlinesS of the
American press to Mr. WI and express
Indifference regarding the reappoint-
ment. After leaving Washington Mr..
WI held the lowest ministerial post in
the foreign office and was transferred
to q subordinate post in the board Of
punishments. where he brought about a
revision Of the penal code and some
civil codes and framed regulations gov
erning limited liability companies
which are all said to be Of questionable
value and so far have amounted to
nearly nothing.
The foreign office does not appear to
have taken advantage of the experience
of Mr.. WI except during the boycott of
American goods. After the question of
q. revision Of the Chinese exclusion law
was dropped he was relegated to an
Inferior post and then retired.
In some circles here the career of
Mr.. WI as a Chinaman abroad IS
viewed as being only second in success
from Chinas viewpoint to that of the
late Ii Hung Chang on his tour of the
world. Mr. Wus recall to official life af-
ter his work and motives had been dis
continued at Pekin is in the nature of
Il personal triumph and it is perhaps
TO int
ment is not welcomed among the Chi
ncse officials here, where he is distin-
guished as being the sole surviving
minister Of the era in which China sent
linSuists and not statesmen abroad.
WI Ting Fang was recalled by his
government from Washington in 1903
IT was reported at the time that the
Empress Dowager and her advisers
We're dissatisfied with him, but he was
appointed to office on his return to
China. Sir Chentung LANG Cheng sue
ceeded WI Ting Fang and has been
about four years in Washington, LANG
Tung Yen was appointed to succeed
Sir Chentung LANG Cheng, but never
started for this country and recently
was transferred to the foreign office at
Pekin.
The reappointed minister Of China
was here during the Boxer troubles and
worked hard in the interest of his gov
eminent He is a lawyer and an able
orator, having praCticed before the
British courts at Hong Kong. where
he learned to speak English fuently
While popular during his stay in the
United States for his witty after-din-
ner speeches. Mr.. WI at times aroused
sharp antagonism. This was notable
when the church and religious commu-
mites severely criticized his COMPARE
son of COnfucianism with Christianity.
to the disadvantage of Christianity and
with remarks concerning the founder
of the Christian church which were
construed at the time to be fippant
Mr.. WI had considerable to do with
the choice of Mr.. Rockhill as American
minister to Pekin and it appears To he
somewhat of a personal rcciprocation
that Mr.. RoCkhill contributes to Mr.
Wu's reappointmcnt by assuring China
of Mr.. WI not being persona non grata
at Washington.
Sir Chentung Liang Cheng spent the
best part of his four years stay at
Washington in devising plans for re-
form measures in the present adminis-
trative system of China and it has been
reported that the reason for his recall
was the desire of his government to
take advantage of his American expe-
rience Che was educated at Phillips-An-
dOver) in order to develop the reform
program which has been adopted at
Pekin.
1t has been stated that Mr.. WI adj
Vised the recent boycott of American
goods in China but the conclusion was
reached at Washington that the boy
colt was the result Of the natural
WORKING out Of many factors and that
individuals had little to do with it.
Hence 1t Is added, the government Of
me United States Is not likely to make
any objection to Mr.. Wu's reappoint-
ment.