The Washington herald., 1908-05-03

WI Ting-fang, diplomat great ques-
TONER famed statesman OF the Orient,
who for two years has ridden on the
water wagon and adhered to the princi-
pies of a vegetarians life, Informed
friends and members of Burnside Post,
No. s. Department OF the Potomac, G. A.
r, at their annual planked shad bake
yesterday at Marshall Hall that he in
tended to live until he was "25O years
young
Minister Wus declaration came at the
end Of the dinner Incidentally, it may
be stated that WI did not greatly enjoy
the meal prepared for the comrades and
their guests.
Prefers Nuts to SHRd.
AS is we'll known, Minister Wu is a
vegetarian. He does not eat flesh or fish
Fish was the piece de resistance yes
terday Hence il was that while the
other guests were eating fish, more fish,
and then some fish. the willy diplomat
was munehlng a few Brazilian nuts he
had with forethought slowed in his capa-
cious pockets.
It was the eighth annual shad bake OF
their guests enjoyed the day thoroughly.
Shad baked as only a Maryland "darky
knows how 10 turn the spit as the fish
assumes brown color. was the feature
OF the dinner. The "fixin potatoes
peas. and other vegetables-were likewise
excellently prepared.
Prominent among the guests were Min
lister Wu and the second secretary of the
Chinese Legation. Dr. Wei-ching W
Yen, a graduate of the University of
Virginia; Gen, John c. Black, of the
Civil Service Commission: Chaplain
Couden. of the House of Representatives;
Gen. Hills, of the Department of the In
terror and Miss Casey, niece of Gen. l..
S. Grant
Blind Chaplain Speaks.
DR.. A. ]. Huntoon, who has been toast
master at the annual bakes for the past
eight years. presided, and introduced Mr..
Couden, the blind Chaplain of the House.
Chaplain COuden spoke in a humorous
vein and urged the members TO make
the shad bake one Of the events of the
year He said too much time is given
IN the posts 20 routine affairs. He urged
the veterans 10 cultivate a fraternal
spirit. Under the present methods, he
said. there is too much parading and the
members haven't time to get acquainted.
Gen. Black followed in a plea for the
brotherhood of man and the fatherhood
Of God He said the civil war assured
the peTpetuity of the former. and urged
that the veterans and their friends strive
for the latter
Then came Minister Wa. Despite the
fact he had gathered hut the crumbs
from the rich mans table" he was the
same placid Celestial
Not Great Man of China.
Thanking the gathering for the ap-
plause. Minister WI said:
Il am not in a position to call you
comrades, because did not have the
privilege Of fighting with you. I must.
however. disClaim being the great man OF
China, referred TO by one of the speakers.
[ am not the great man mentioned by Gen.
L. S. Grant Il was Il Hung Chang.
whom I had the honor to serve for many
years
Il have been told I must not speak for
less than fifteen minutes. Chaplain Cou-
den is a good story teller but I haven't
the gift, not being a member of the pro-
fesslon.
You ate baked shad to-day. I didn't
] have given up fish and flesh I look
upon shad as thing appalling inju-
ri0us substance. I had something to eat
to-day" said WI with a bland smile.
'but it was not fish. / had what I could
pick up. and on the whole have had a
fair dinner"
simple Life His Panacea.
After asking why the post was called
Burnside, and asking II it was because
some one had had his side burned, Minis
ter WI continued:
Chaplain Couden told YOU the veterans
are nearing the border line. But there is
one way of staying here. and rot going