San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-25

Copyright, 1898.
Shanghai, China. March 24.-CoJ-
gresham LeOnidas G.. Dyer and his
speech which was not delivered make
a story of Chinese political finesse
which promises to become an epic of
the Orient.
Congressman Dyer. with skillfnl nj
lotlng. fathered the China trade act
through Congress. He feels a faith
erly interest in American business in
the Orient. though not TO the extent
OF patronizing an American ship when
he returned home a few weeks ago.
That caused comment but was quickly
oyershadowed by the more amusing
story of the speech.
When Congressman Dyer reached
Peking. officials of the Waichiaopu
or Chinese foreign office who han
pened TO be in power for that week.
arranged n reception and dinner TO
the distinguished visitors. Dinners
mean speeches. especially in China. A
Naichlaopu dinner rs an occasion
where speech might be delivered
with telling effect. The group of
Americans who have private panaseas
for all China's ills mixed their men
tai nostrums and evolved speech
for Dyer which scoded China for
everything-from not paying her d BITS
10 being discourteous TO foreigners. 1t
was nicely typewriter ard entrusted
to the congressman who was TO be
the oracle to deliver it. The Chinese
hosts who were to be the victims of
this arraignment-its studied discour-
tesy demonstrating the Olymjian
status of the foreigner in China-were
not consulted. However, they heard
about it.
Women Are Included.
On the morning preceding the ban
quet telephone messages came TO all
the invited guests from the Waichi-
aopu, informing them that the invi-
tations included their wives or other
ladies. 1t was almost unprecedented
in Chinese official function. but the
explanation was made that the in
novation was in Difference to Ameri-
can customs. and the self-elected doc
tors for China did not suspect that
their patient was alive TO their plot.
The oratorical bomb rested in the in
side of the Congressmans dinner
jacket. 1t was simple in structure.
prefaced with six questions which with
clairvoyant foresight the congressman
had decided would be asked him when
he returned to Washington. Such a
puzzler as what Are the Conditions
in China todayF was answered in 90
words-an easy feat for a statesman
who had been out of bis home dis
trict less than that number of DAYS.
There were ten answers, most of them
predicated upon 81 find, ETC." instead
OF the less positive 81 have been told"
The official of the Waichiaopu, who
had been chosen to preside. waited
until the last demi tasse was in place,
opened the proceedings in French. re-
GREETING that he was unable to speak
the language Of the distinguished guest
and then introduced Mr.. W. W. Yen.
Mr.. Yen welcomed the guest. referred
to his great achievements for China
and sat down amid applause.
Others Are Called Upon.
The congressman took a prepare
tory sip OF water and steeled his heart
TO the carnage which he was about
to break. However. instead of his
name. 10 which the Chinese had cour-
teously added the title Of Colonel"
he heard the POSTMASTER recognizing
Admiral Tasi Ting kan, who was far
Their down the table. Admiral Tasi
expanded on the pleasure Of having
the fair sex at the banquet. Hinged
with regret at the improperly of Dor.
ing them with discussions of politics.
much as the occasion was fitting. Ad.
miral Tasi bowed. the congressman
again moistened his vocal cords and
waited expectantly. This time it was
Mrs. Yen who caught the .toastmns.
ers eye-with the same absence OF
generalization which characterizes the
House in Washington. Mrs. Yen
spoke for the ladies, expressed their
pleasure at meeting their distin.
gushed guest, nodded to her sisters
and led them from the banquet hall.
The men stood IN as the women pass.
ed out. Nobody sat down again. The
congressman passed a reflective hand
over his dinner jacket. The sprrch
still was safely ~ his inside pocket
Tho ls-Gent had noailv side .o..r,I |