The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-12

With the interest of the world centered on the Chinese situation, in which the mind and personality of Wu Ting Fang, who has accepted the office of secretary Of foreign affairs in the provisional gov ernment established at Shanghai by the revolutionists, will carry great weight. it will be interesting to the residents of Birmingham and Alabama at large to obtain first hand information regarding this dominating figure from the pen of pr. A. P Montague, president of How ard college.
 Additional interest is created by the fact that in the city of Shanghai is sit uated the Smith Bible school. erected by W. T. Smith. former resident of Birmingham. who died several years ago The school is now under the personal supervision of Miss Willie Kelly. an Ala bama girl. Shanghai being the seat of the provisional government, is sure to be the central point around which fu- ture events will shape themselves.
 Dr. Montague tells of his friendship with wu Ting Fang from their first meeting up to the present time, and while 50 doing writes clearly of the many quail ities which have made the former min- ister to the United States one of the most prominent figures of the day. While minister Wu Ting Fang was one of the most prominent figures in Washington and his fame quickly spread to all parts of the country.
 The Smith Bible school was erected in Shanghai during 1903 and from the very outset proved to be a success. The funds for the erection of the building were given by w. T. Smith, who was noted for his large contributions toward the work oe spreading Christianity among the heather.
 When the building was. completed Miss Kelly offered her services. Her offer was accepted and she left almost immediately from her home in southern Alabama for Shanghai. The Bible school offers a home to Chinese women who have embraced Christianity and is completely equipped
 In his letter regarding Wu Ting Fang pr. Montague writes:
 ''Once upon a time, some 15 years ago, while was living in Washington, mes gage came to me in my study that gen. tIeman was in the parlor. Entering that room. found a man about 45 years of age. of medium height, of strong face, with a manner businesslike and alert dressed in full Chinese costume; and there
 
 |, publicist then minister of China at Wash ington, and perhaps the most famous and best equipped representative ever sent from the Chinese empire to American shores.
 s'For some months MT. Hoo, second eecretary of the Chinese legation, Mrs. Hoo and their little son, Victor Hugo, 7 fad lived in our home. With them our acquaintance, beginning on business basis (we had them as boarders), had ripened into sincere friendship; and MT. Hoo. an excellent and cultured man, though a heather, had told MT. Wu, the new minister, of us Following the Chinese custom, the diplomat, choosing in advance the people to be on his visit ang list, called upon us.
 ssCarrying out the fashion of his land, an pursuance of the rules of etiquette there. before I came to the parlor, the minister asked Mrs. Montague if we owned the house, how much we paid for 1t, and other questions of like na- ture. nearly all of them personal
 "He remained some time and finally took his departure, easy, self-possessed, courteous.
 .Some days later I returned his call, and while at the legation I invited him I'd attend the commencement exercises of the Columbian college, to be held at . leading theatre.
 ..Why should go to your commence Freut?'' he asked. You will have only your faculty and students present.
 Yes said I, those and some l5Vo others.''
 "Well.'' he said, 'I will come then
 "And come he did, with some five or sax of his suite, all attired in Chinese garbs Sitting in commodious box