T do not know whether Wu Pelta i a Hindenberg or a Grierson to whom a future battleground already photographed in detail his mind; but that is the impression he gives. However, his confidence in himesif does not lessen his self-discipline. I would not say he is Don Quixote; his past successes rebut that conclusion. He probably: ]works longer, and certainly more intensely, than any member of staff. I had heard that it is no uncommon experience for him to be with his men on manceuvres without food from 7 in the morning until 5 the afternoon; and I have no Jdoubt he is doing much the same in his litle office in the Cabinet building. And yet there is no flurry, excessive haste; except for a little more speed, thera is no difference between life in his clerical head~ quarters and life in any other di partment of state. An attendant takes care to brush away the fies that buzz around his head in just as easy-going a fashion as the menials protect other less almighty craniums. fin the capital. But the attendant attends to his work efficiently; and the gives the same impression' that the Marshal gives, that in and through Wa Pei-fu lies the last word n military supremacy in China, It is when he turns to talk to you that you are instantly aware thatthe Tikeness (if there is any) to a banker or a merchant has vanished, I must emphasize that he has to turn to you to take his part in conversation, as in all likelihood he will pursue' his work and listen to you at one and the same time. This habit is a little Aisconcerting at first. When T so him he was engaged in "shroffing' some despatches with pen poised, ready to be brought down instantly to paper to paint some character that might spell—well, the difference between the destruction of his own or somebody else's army corps. But. I made these reflexions after the interview, in wonderment that he instant's decision toa despatch and yet reply to my questions, readily. and fluently. At the time, at least for a few minutes, I did not realize T gave him'
space to go through what I fondly dreamed: was my questionnaire, and occupied myself in making comparisons with quite civilian-minded Chinese of my own acquaintance. thought T had given him a few "posers," and was wondering which question was troubling him the most, when my interpreter informed me that the Marshal was waiting for me to ask my questions. (I discovered afterwards that there hadn't. been any time to translate the ques-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.