The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-01
MIR. WI ASKS WHY.
Calls Attention to the Restrictions on
His Countrymen.

LIS NCuAtE ym0us
Baltimore, Feb. 1.--The annual ban
quet of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' association brought together a
large number of distinguished men,
among whom were four United States
senators and a dozen or more congress-
men and nearly all the prominent off,
Gals of the state of Maryland. The
Chinese minister, WI Ting Fang, was
the chief guest. and his personality
aroused the greatest interest as did also
his response to the toast OF "Our Inter
national Relations with China" SEN
ator Daniel, Of Virginia, discussed
Commerce and the Nicaragua CanaI'' /;
Senator ThurSton, of Nebraska, talked
about The Broadening Horizon of Ma
tional Duty; Senator Burrows of Mich
igan, told of National Financial Prob
lens; Senator Culberson, Of Texas
spoke on '"rhe Common Interests Of
Baltimore and the Southern States" and
Prof. Walter Wyckoff of Princeton uni
versity. discussed Industrial Progress -
Minister WI took notes during the
early responses, his pencil being notice
ably rapid during a passage in Gov
ernOr Smiths speech in which that off,
cial referred to the acquisition by this
country Of the Philippines, Porto Rico,
possibly of Cuba and a ''slice Of China"
Mayor Hayes followed Governor Smith
and made a. hit with Minister WI by
saying Il don't agree with the governor;
we don't want any part OF China"
which sentiment the Chinese minister
vigorously aplauded.
Senator Daniel after fully discussing
the problems connected with the COM
pletion of the Nicaragua canal, de-
cIared that his vote will always be re-
corded against 1.-THE partition Of the Chi
nese empire IN any way OF manner
whatsoever at which sentiment Min
lister WI clapped his hands. A moment
later he appeared equally pleased when
the Virginia. senator launched a vigorous
philippe against the looting of Chinese
cities, towns and villages in the name Of
Christianity.
Senator Thurston followed, and de-
c1ared that having taken the Philippines
we were bound to keep them, and that
them as a part and parcel of the United
States. He asserted that any person who
encourages the revolutionists in the
Philippines is a traitor to his country
Minister WI followed Senator Thur
ston. He said in part:
IT am wiser now than IL I had spoken
early. There seems to be difference OF
opinion on the Nicaraguan canal Ques-
ton I am glad to hear your governor
is a farmer. In my country we have
four great classes, the second Of which
is the farmer. the fourth is the mer-
chant As a foreign diplomat I know
nothing Of your politics and / am not
here to approve or condemn your sys-
tenn of government. am told that your
calling an extra session of the legisla-
ture to isfranchise-whom2 not the
Chinese for they are already disfran
chised, but the illiterate and the China
man is not illiterate. We neither ask
nor expect special favors- We ask only
that the Chinese who come here should
be treated exactly as other foreigners
are treated. There is no reason to fear
that the 400 million Chinese will ever
immigrate here The fear that this
country will be flooded by Chinese is abb
surd. Why do you single out my coun-
tI-yTnen in your preventive measures
when you permit the laborers of ali
other countries to enter your boun-
daries2 The evil of opium smoking is
urged against us. We have vainly tried
to break it up in China. You have It in
your power to prevent it here. The inn
portation of opium could be prevented
here If you do not prevent it you will
suffer as we do. The remedy so far as.
this country is concerned is in your
hands not ours. We cannot for political
reasons prevent it there, but if I under
stand your laws you can prevent it here
if you wish to do so. IF you want to
extend your trade in China, study our
ways and meet our requirements Our
merchants are proverbially honest
Study our methods and conform to
them The commercial interests of
your nation and of mine desire that the
peace Of the world shall be maintained