CHINA'S DIGNITY HURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 214, 3 September 1908, Page 3

CHINA'S DIGNITY HURT.

THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR'S "OFFENCE." Received 2, 9.15 p.m. London, September 1. The Daily Mail states that Wutingfang's offence i 9 not in regard to advocating an entente between China and America, but in adopting Western fads. He dared to suggest to the Empress to tadopt the Western diets—corn cabbages, turr."ps, etc., cooked a la Americane.

■MASTERPIECES OF EVASION. Dr. Wu Ting Fang has been described as a Chinese humorist. He was formerly Chinese Minister at Washington, but Ave or six years ago was recalled, and, alter a struggle with adverse influence in China, returned to his post at Washington early this year. Here is a sample of him:—

"You will find me an open book," the little diplomatist, wearing the same childlike and bland smile as of yore, assured the journalists who crowded round anxious to learn if his opinions regarding the stupidity and vanity of American women, and the superiority of his own countrywomen, had been in any way modified by his sojourn in China. Those opinions were embodied in 823 speeches delivered in the United States and ha innumerable drawing-room dialogues. "Why do you go about with your neck hare!" he once innocently asked a celebrated American beauty, whom he further embarrassed by inquiring how many children she had, and why she was not at home attending them. He compared the innate modesty of the Chinese woman with the shameful flirtations of her American sisters, and even satirised American political corruption, which he found infinitely worse than that prevailing in his own country. American respect for the -astuteness of the Chinese Minister has been sens&ly increased by the disclosures of a recent lawsuit, which showed that in negotiating with a syndicate of financiers he proved himself much more cunning that the millionaires with whom he transacted a "deal.'* Alluding to all these pranks "Mr. Wu," wao, by the way, is an Oxford graduate, assured the interviewers that he has reformed. "1 shall," he said, "ask no more questions and return no more evasive answers." He immediately proceeded to illustrate his new principles in the following dialogue:— Interviewers: Shall you take up the matter of Chinese exclusion from Ba ; ' waii at Washington t Mr. Wu: Have you had much rain recently! ' Baterviewers: But is there not friction between China and Japan regarding the Manchurian railway? Mr.Wu: Do they still play ping-pong at Washington t Interviewers: What do you think of Mr. Boosevelt's campaign against wealthy malefactors? Mr. Wu: I have the greatest admiration for Mr. Roosevelt, and regret my •ge makes it impossible for me to join in his athletic pursuits. But I have a few stories he will appreciate. Though they questioned him for two days, the interviewers have not yet succeeded in reading more of the ''open book."