The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-02

PHILADELPHIA. July 2.-rhe Councils
Committee on the Fourth OF July Ce.ebra-
ton at independence Hall, consisting OF
John S. Hammond. chairman; Henry Clay.
George w. Sunderland, George Jewill W.
5. Bsthan, and S. G. Miller, together with
Francis Tracy Tobin, K Tracy Tobin. and
Henry Budd, will go to Washington to-
morrow 20 escort to Philadelphia WI Ting
fsBg, the Minister OF China to the United
States, who is to deliver the Grafton on
Wednesday.
The party will leave at 1920 O'Clock
in the morning and viii be accompanied on
the return by the Oriental diplomat on
the Congressional limited train at D. m.
special car may be provided Cor the dis
tinguished visitor and the Phiiadelphians.
The minister will be Iuartered at the Ho-
tel Walton during his stay. Right Rev.
OH w. Whitaker. Bishop OF the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese OF Pennsylvania, VIII
open the exercises in Independence Square
with prayer and the Rev. john B. Pltiar.
5. j., of st. Joseph's Roman Catholic
Church. will give the benediction in the
absence Of Archbishop p. J. Ryan, who viii
" oul VI me city At me llIuS-
Within the past few days the Rev. DR..
George E. Rees, pastor of the New Tab
ernacle Baptist Church, and one or two
other ministers, have taken exception TO
WI Ting-fang's selection as In bad taste
at this time. One of these clergymen is
quoted as saying that while he esteems
the minister personally, he protests be-
cause the latter comes here as ''the repre-
sentative OF country committing acts of
barbarism.''
On the other hand Francis Tracy Tobln,
who waited upon Minister WI with the
city's invitation about a week ago, and
members Of the councils committee do not
view it in any such light. Officially they
maintain the United States Is at peace with
China, or the Minister would have been
given his passports at Washington before
this. Moreover he is on the best of terms
with the President and at the State
Department il Is asserted. and Is anxious
that the troubles, which are due TO the
Boxers Of China, shall be quickly ended
and those who have been guilty OF crime
against Americans and other foreigners be
punished The fact that the Dr~.' slant
Episcopal Bishop OF Pennsylvania - the
representative OF the Catholic Archdiocese
are to ofiiciate is also pointed TO as
sustaining the action of the councils
!
Referring to the Rev. Dr. Rees' criticism
Rev. Frederic Poole, who conducts the
Chinese Mission, under the auspices Of the
Christian League Of Philadelphia said last
night; II consider the invitation extended
by the Philadelphia City Councils to the
I Chinese Minister 20 be the very esserce
Of courtesy and politeness in view OF he
deplcrabie conditions which at present
prevail in Minister Wu's native land. and
: Of
must to a certain extent suffer Il would
/ however, be the acme OF foolishness to
assume that the acts OF the ignorant
lawless hordes of China in the present
disastrous uprising. in any way reflects
upon China's distinguished representative
TO this country.
From my personal knowledge Of Min
lister WI, l have no hesitation in saying
that there is no man in the United States
who so thoroughly deplores the present
turbulent conditions in CHRIS than he anS
his acceptance OF the invitation rendered
TO him by the councils is but an ipdica-
ton OF his sincere appreciation OF this
land OF liberty, which always has and I
trust always will. maintain friendly re-
lations with China In the truest and best
sense Of the term. The presence OF the
Chinese Minister with US, and his wiling
ness to speak at such historic place on
the Nations birthday, is the strongest evil
dence Of his faith in the Just attitude of
the United States to his own Government,
even though while he speaks on Wednes-
day morning American troops and war
ships are being hurried TO the Chinese
coast.
Il repeat that Philadelphia has again
excelled herself in courtesy and diplomacy
in bringing about an incident which is
destined to become historic even as IL is
unprecedented, and one which cannot help
but create better understanding between
the Oldest and youngest nations of the
earth