On referring to the responsibilities and toil of his public position he said there was no help for it. He has to obey—willing or unwilling. Therein lies the excuse for much that has been condemned. There is certainly something very pathetic, as well as venerable, in a statesman, at the a vanced age of 79, toiling on in the affairs of his nation and in the days of her def and humiliation. The hopelessness of task subdued the tone of his speech depressed his spirits. Once only during the interview did he manifest a surprising energy. I had ventured to ask what ho would like to answer those who had so adversely criticised him in the Press—particularly in Shanghai. Rising from his sent-and with eyes flashing with anger he emphatically replied: "I would not condescend to notice them: they talk notorious nonsense.""
May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.