Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-15
WHAT WILL CHINA DO?
Minister WI Ting Fang Hears Some Plain
Questions About His Country.

New York, March 1.-THE members
Of the Tea Trade of New York gave
dinner to the members of the United
States Board of Tea Experts in the
Waldorf, tonight. The banquet was
presided over by George l.. Montgom-
cry, president Of the Tea Association.
At his right was seated the Chinese
minister, WI Ting Fang, and on his
left Chairman George l.. Hewlett of
the board Board of Tea Experts.
Other guests at the table We're the
japanese consul, r. Uchda and the
Hon. John Barrett, ex-minister to
Siam.
George l.. Hewlett Of the Board of
Tea Experts. made the first speech.
He spoke of the necessity of cO-opera-
ton in the trade. The next speaker
was WI Ting Fang. who was warmly
received. In part he said: II assure
you that | appreciate very much the
very warm welcome that YOU have
given me, tonight. | believe this is
further evidence Of friendship and good
will on your part toward the country
which | represent. If you Americans
acquired the habit Of using tea as We
Chinese do, You would have very good
tea and il is only respectable that you
should impose a tax upon il"
Mr.. Jim Barrett. responding to the
toast Americas Interests in China"
said in part:
"One important point in all this dis
cussion Of the open door ana vast com
mercial opportunities in China has
been overlooked. Here in the presence
of His EXceilency, the Chinese minis
tr whom we all admire for his abii-
ties. craftsmanship and frank diplo-
macy, | would like to ask this leading
question on behalf Of Americans who
are deeply interested in the future of
China: What is China herself going
to DO, or in other words. in view Of
the recent notable effort Of the United
States to keep open the door Of COM
merce To emphasize the meaning as
We'll as the letter Of the treaties to
prevent or checkmate the delimitation
Of spheres Of influence and 50 preserve
the integrity Of the Chinese empire.
what is China herself going to do on her
own part to take progressive steps. to
respect the treaties. to resist assimi-
lation by European powers through the
spheres and 50 keep the empire intact
With no harsh criticisms intended and
with all due respect for his cxcellency
and his great country, We must admit
that there are certain unfortunate but
not irremediable conditions in the admin
istration of government. law and order
in China that should be corrected If the
empire would successfully work out its
own salvation. Beginning with the Pekin
government and extending to the interior
and the provinces and procedures it
would seem in the opinion Of those who
nave the best interests of China at heart
that some reasonable changes could be
and must be effected in the near future if
emma would stand with strong moral
force and right against on the one hand
the forward and selfish movement for
territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT by some Euro
pean powers. and with. on the other
hand the vigorous legitimate efforts of
the United States to help he- at a time
when the latter is practically the only
country that has not demanded that she |
snail ALLEVIATE a portion of her sovereign
dominion.
"'Win China consider the imperious
necessity OF accomplishing on her own in |
itiatiVe before it may be too late con- |
sentative reform in her general and spe-
ciic methods of government. in faciIi- |
tatlnS legitimate negotiations with for |
eign powers on all questions at Pekin in !
reorganiZinS the essential forces of order |
in the protection of property and life, in |
the suppression of piracy ana rebellion |
in the honest application and collection |
or inland taxes i'll promoting education |
in granting and hOnCring Just concessions |
for material development. in opening the |
interior to the commerce of the world?
AS his cNccllenCY. the Chinese minis |
ter, has been repeatedly speaking to the |
American people in plain terms concern |
ing our own shortcomings ana warning |
US against ultimate possibilities all of |
which We have accepted in good spirit he |
cannot be offended if we in turn ask him |
these questions in good faith.
As Cor myself-and | think | speak the |
sentiments of all at this dinner am act |
uated by deep respect for both the tradi- |
lions and the potcntialities of this great |
empire. We nope that its integrity will |
not only be forever preserved, but that it |
may successfully work out for itself an
impregnable position among nations |
where its political rank, commercial innu-
ence and moral force as first-class
power will never be questioned and al
ways respected.
I'm evolving the future in short, China
must do her part as well as the United
States and other powers who wish her
only wen and would protect her from an
impending break up at the hands of ma
tons who would despoi her Of sover
eighty and rights
Japan the Newest Member of the Con-
gress of Nations and said in part: I'VE
are in favor of the retention by the
United States of her newly acquired pos
sessions in the East, for the friendly re-
1ationS between the United States and
Japan are too close to admit of any inter-
ference.