“MR. WU”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19048, 27 June 1924, Page 10

“MR. WU”

NOT THE ORIGINAL. MUCH MILDER MAN. PEACE PLENIPOTENTIARY. Says the Auckland Star of Monday: “Mr Wu” was seen on the Chinese steamer Ling Nam to-day. He is not the original “Mr Wu” of the fearful drama in which a father seeks vengeance for the seduction of his daughter by kidnapping the mother of the seducer. He is a much milder man, and he has done more on the stage of real life than ever “Mr Wu” did in imaginary drama. “Mr Wu” was the creation of a playwright; the real Mr Wu is the creation of his own great country —an educated yet simple-hearted Chinese. Wu Shen-Kun is the full name of the Mr Wu who is travelling on the Ling Nam. He was one of the delegates to the Washington Peace Conference, and has for the last two years been Secretary of the Chinese Legation at Santiago, Chile. Unfortunately Mr Wu was stricken with paralysis through some local infection soon after landing in South America, and although a young fiian, he has even since been robbed of the use of his lower limbs. His infirmity confines him to his cabin on the Ling Nam for much of his time, but it is hoped that his return to CJiina will result in the regaining of health and strength. “No,” said Mr Wu, laughingly, “I am not the original Wu.’ I have seen him on stage and film—‘ the movie ’ you call it. He is a very false conception of Chinese character. But the play was written by an Englishman who ‘apparently did not know the Chinese mind, and who paid little heed to Chinese characteristics. We’ll let it go at that.” • AN EVERLASTING WAR.

Mr Wu said he had heard practically nothing regarding the political situation in China during the last few months, and was most anxious regarding it. The war between North and South, he said, was everlasting and interesting. “Canton is rebellious,” he informed the interviewer, with a smile. “Canton is like what Ireland was—always against the Government. Naturally, the South will not accept the Cantonese attitude, and so they fight. There are too many politicians in Canton,” he observed.

Assured that New Zealand was similarly afficted, Mr Wu laughed and said it appeared to him that an over plus of politicians was the curse of every country. However, it must be remembered that China had only twelve years ago declared herself a Republic and thrown off the chains of the most absolute monarchy known to any civilisation. And during that twelve years the most frightful war known to modern mankind had intervened to prevent normal progress. Though China had not been involved as a nation, she had been sadly disturbed by the Great War, which had exercised a great influence against peaceful progress. “Myself, I am what you call in English an Internationalist,” said Mr Wu, in answer to a question. “All men are the same to me, no matter of what country—as long as they are decent men in themselves. We ought to try and cultivate an international attitude, to try and understand each other. It may take a long while, but it is well worth attempting?” PAVING THE WAY.

Questioned regarding China’s ancient civilisation, which historians tell us, anteceded ours by thousands of years, Mr Wu gave a deprecatory smile. “It isn’t what was, it is what is and what will be, that counts,” he said. “What praise can any of us claim for our little parts in the mighty whirligig of time? Let us do what we living can do now, and try and pave the way for future generations to do much better than we now know how.”

Mr Wu said he knew that the Japanese were greatly hated by most Chinese. However, he regarded the Japanese as a very great people, and a change of Chinese attitude would follow a change of Japanese heart. China would not be plundered. She was willing to (as the English call it, give-and-take) grant “concessions” for fair returns, but she was tired of giving for nothing to the detriment of her own people. “You know,” he said, “Japan is very acquisitive. She wants all and will give nothing in return. Some day she will learn that this is not possible in what the world calls equity. Then she mend her manners, and China and Japan will be very good neighbours.” Mr Wu, besides being a member of the Chinese Diplomatic Service, is con- 1 nected with several newspapers in Central China, to which he has been a regular contributor on subjects concerning South American and international affairs. He is very popular among his fellow-passengers on the Ling Nam, who all express a very sincere hope that he will' regain his full health and physical activity on return to the “Land of His Fathers.”