Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-11-14
; RECOLLECTIONS OF WI
; TUNG FANG

Z q = Z = = . Z . = . . .


il rather taller than the men of his
race as a class; and he has very in
telligent countenance, with remark !,
ably keen. observing brown eyes. |
His title was His Excellency, WI
Ting-Fang, envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary to the Uni
ted States, Spain, Mexico and Peru"
His country in extent of terrific
ry and vastness Of population ex-
| ceeds the whole of Europe; so that
Chinese minister might have been a
| little pulled up and assumed lofty
airs in society, especially as he Is
reputed to be wealthy. and has a
nese, English, Spanish, and French
fluently. and possibly other Ian
guages, and he is a Mas r of Law. /. .
and has acquired Chinese classical
education, something that cannot be
shifted at besides all these things
he has a pretty wife, according to
the Oriental idea of beauty, and her
useless little feet certify to her rank
in the Flowery Kingdom.
Notwithstanding these things,
Minis er WI was as unassuming and
! friendly as If he had been truly one
Of us He assumed very few lofty
airs Of superiority. yet when IT came
to China-well, China is par excel
lente in the eyes of Minister WI;
! which fact, however, is rather to his
{ credit-that he is loyal to his own
country
Minister WI told us-in a maya
zine articIe-the aim of Chinese edu-
cation. 1t is ''To make man use
full and desirable member OF soc1-
I ETY., kind father dutiful son.
loyal subject. a good husband and q
faithful friend-with enough in
teIIectual culture to impart the net
essary polish to the person" And
having been a student all his life
his knowledge prompts him to in
cline towards simplicity of conduct.
During the Spanish American war
I Minister WI remained in Washing
ton all summer, when most Of the
diplomats were of enjoying the
cooling breezes at summer resorts.
His discussion Of AFFAIRS of national
Importance were carried on almost
daily at the state department, and
while he appeared to be, and was,
= very obITging and friendly disposed
4 towards US. he looked out for Chi
, mas welfare. At the same time ne
; was SO tactfu1 that he did not Of
fend nor antagonize the guardians
OF our country's interests.
While Minister WI kept his finger
on the national pulse he mingled
f. Washington society. The Chinese
re cation Is magnificent In architec-
\ tural design and Oriental fittings:
rand the receptions and teas given by
rtliim and hfs wife were very popular,
especially as his lavish outlay of re-
lfreshments and punch never seemed
to give out Though Minister WI
dressed up for the occasion. his silk
, en- trousers and brocaded blouse were
very handsome. and his skull cap
was ornamented with single costly
jewel.
Madam WI quite outshone heI'
husband, for her diadem was stud
ded with precious gems; and her
blouse and trousers were even more
beautiful and che carried an ex-
> Guisite fan which she welded grace
| fully as she toppled on her baby
, toes to receive her guests.
When Minister WI was not shut
fling the diplomatic cards or writing
: magazine articles and entertaining,
he accepted invitations. Especially
was he sought out for dinners, as
! he was known to be a most pleas
| ing post prandial talker Usually
he punctuated his remarks with sal
| lies of wit and little home thrusts at
I our manners and customs, but they
: were always good ma sured and friend
IL in tone. When called upon to re-
( ply to toast, THE Ladies, ne
! called upon himself, as he said, a
poor heather Chinee," to respond to
1.-THE toast 1.-The Ladieh," as they
. knew in his country when the gen.
tlemen gave banquets they left theii
ladies at home.
: At another time Minister Wu was
n one of party to go down the Poo
3 mac during the first run of shad, tt
a "shad bake" politicians and Of
ficials appear to be particularly fond
: If brain food) and among the in
y vited guests were two citizens Of
g Washington. One, of them had re-
I Gently been requested to resign his
position as district commissioner, ap-
parently for no other reason tnan &c
n make way for a presidential favor
lite who had been appointed and was
also one Of the party. Now. there
q may have been some soreness under
the skin of the dethroned commits
n sioner, but, being we'll bred, he at
d tempted to hide it, and when he wal
called upon for toast he compli'
mented his successor in grand style
| NNbaro,tpOD tho cucnoSSOr returned