Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-23
Former Chinese Minister to
U. S. to Devote Rest of Life
to Literary Work.
CLAIMS HE HAS FOUND
THE SECRET OF HEALTH
Plans to Live to $50 Years Old by
Eschewing Meat, Liquor
and Tobacco.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

Correspondence of the Associated Press
SHANGHAI, September 20.-Dr. WI
Tins-fang, the former Chinese minister
to the United States. although he plans
to live to be $50 years old, now con-
siders himself out of public life. and
for the next seventy-five years Will be
Just an onlooker. regardless whether
the Chinese republic is turned back
into an empire.
The folks up at Picking are running
things They haven't asked my advice
and they probably wouldn't act on 1t II
] gave it, said DIR. WI. when asked for
his comments on the monarchlal move
ment.
In nv recent book on America l told
what | thought about the American
government, the Chinese government
and governments in general couioh
say any more than l said in that DOCK
and I haven't changed my mind since 1
wrote it," the venerable diplomat con-
tinued.
Explains Change to Republic.
DR.. Wu's book, called America
Through the Spectacles of an orientai
Diplomat" contains chapter REVIEW
ing monarchial and republican forms
of government in detail. He says: IL
may he pertinently asked why emma
has become a republic. since from time
immemorial she has had monarcnlal
form of government Inc answer -
that the conditions and circumstances
In CHINA are peculiar and are different
from, those prevailing in Japan ana
other countries. In Japan IT is cialneo
that the empire was founded by tne
first emperor Jimmu Tenno, $50 b.
lx-na founded
has continued ever since. IL Is wen
known that the Chinese imperial famiiy
is of Manchu origin. The Ching dy-
nasty was founded in 1914 by CONQUEST,
overthrow of the Manchu dynasty II
was found very difficult to find chi
nese, however popular and aoie' VINO
possessed the legal right OF succeeding
to the throne Jealousy and provincial
feelings placed this suggestion abso-
lutely beyond discussion. Disagree
ments, frictions and constant civil wars
would have ensued if any attempt had
been made to establish Chinese dy-
nasty Another fact is that large ma
jority of the intelligent people of China
were Disguised with the system OF
monarchial government Thus, 1t will
be seen that for the sake of the peace
and welfare of the nation there was no
other course for the people but to take
long jump and to establish the pres
ent republic
Law of Evolution at Work.
THE law of evolution has been very
actively at work in China, and, no
doubt, it will be for her ultimate good,
and therefore for the benefit of all man
kind. China is now an infant republic,
but she will grow into a healthy and
strong youth
The home of DIR. WI is a modern
ed IL, To- Id
garden. rich in palms and luxuriant
tropical flowers AT the lodge gate
tall Sikh. wearing a red turban, greets
visitors and bids the drivers to proceed
along the graveled road leading to the
port cochere. banked with potted plants
of various colors. The entrance leads
into a wide hall. At one side of this is
DR.. Wu's study; at the other large
drawing room. furnished in beautiful
blackwood pieces of Chinese designs,
and with white walls. relieved by silk
banners bearing quotations from the
Chinese classics. In the center of the
room is a great round table of black
wood with notified marble top. DIR. WI
and the Associated Press correspondent
sat at this, drinking tea. while the
statesman discussed his future plan:
II shall devote the rest of my life to
literary work. l have just finished
some books in Chinese on educational
subjects. | am much interested in a
better system of schools for my coun-
try"
You still cling to your vegetarian
principles"
Has Found Secret of Health.
"Oh, yes 1 have found the secret Of
health. No liquor nor tobacco for me
and no meat. One learns how to live
sanely as one advances in years"
And you plan to make Shanghai your
permanent homer
oh. yes at least for the present. l
am happier here than anywhere else
After my long years abroad l returned
to Picking still with enthusiasm and
new ideas which / desire to see put
into effect in China. But / found the
atmosphere of Picking too conservative
The officials there lived too much out
of the world currents and were too un-
willing to consider new ideas. 1 chose
Shanghai as my present home because
II is so cosmopolitan. There are peo-
PIE here from all over the world and
from all over China. 1t is busy COM
mercial center, d clearing house for
modern thought. / find inspiration here
ana l am happy in watching China
work out a government under which
she VIII be able to develop her lirsitless