New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-18
WELCOME FOR FILIPIN0S.
DINNER IN THEIR HONOR.
Chamber of Commerce Entertains
Them-The Speeches.

a complimentary dinner was gwen IN noNor
of the commissioners from the Philippine Isl
ands the United States last night at Del
monico's by the Chamber of Commerce. White
law Reid, vice-p president of the chamber, pre-.
sided. On his right sat Senor de Tavera, and on
his left Sefor Legardo. Others at the guest
table were Sefor Pmentel, Senor de los Santos
Senor Monreal. Senor de Irarte. Sehor Mapa.
Senor Juan de Leon Sehor MARTINEZ, Senor
Novenario, Sefor del Rosario, Seno- Trias
Rrigadier General Albert l. Mills L. s A;
Brigadier General Charles F. Humphrey. L. s
A: Bishop Henry {. Potter. William II. Taft
Secretary of War. Major General Henry c. Cor
bin, President Schurmar, of Cornell University;
Alexander f. Orr, Major John Biddle Porter and
Robert c. Ogden.
Mr.. Reid. before introducing the speakers, pro-
posed the health Of the President Of the United
States The toast drunk standing. Next
the presiding officer read the following letter Of
regret from the President.
! wish I could accept. but it is simply out Of
the question. l have had 20 refuse literally hun
not possibly go anywhere. Taft will arrange to
go With hearty thanks and very sincere re-
grets believe me. sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
\ dispatch expressing his regret at his in
ability to be present was also read from Gov
ernor Odell.
\ SIGNIFICANT FACT
The presence of the two hundred-odd men Of
prominence at an occasion arranged IN honor
Of representatives, OF race which certain critics
declare has met only i'll treatment and injustice
from this country a significant fact. Some
of the sentiments expressed by the speakers
were equally significant. The closing sentences
Of the address Of welcome to the visitors made
by Mr.. Reid, for instance. told the members of
the commission that the merchants OF New
York wished to have the Fipnos forget that
they were newcomers, and to feel henceforth
and always at home among them. as we'll as to
realize that they had the right to feel at home"
This sentiment enthusiastically applauded
by the Filipino guests. well by the mem
bers Of the Chamber
When ". II. Taft Secretary Of War. began
his toast by addressing the visitors my Fill
pino fellow countrymen." the applause was al
most deafening The smiles of pleasure on the
faces of the strangers showed that they ap-
preciated the compliment.
President Schurman evoked another burst OF
applause by the sentence:
Il have no desire for any other political
diplomatic office whatever, but I should Ike
more than anything earth to be the first
Minister Of the United States to sister re-
public in the Philippines"
The answering speeches of the Philippine Com
missioners delivered in Spanish and French.
and translated by Arthur w. FERGUSON. who
acted as interpreter, were elso in enthusiastic
strain.
More than two hundred plates laid at
the dinner which was held in the large banquet
hall OF Delmonico's The hall was decorated
profusely with American flags and the banners
of the Chamber of Commerce.
BISHOP POTTER INTRODUCED
Mr. Reid introduced. the first speaker,
Bishop Potter, saying. among other things, that
the Chamber of Commerce could never extend
its welcome to fits guests more graciously than
through the silver tongue OF our favo-ite, Bishop
Potter"
The Bishop warmly appauded He said
in paw:
Gentlemen: The theological relations OF the chair
man have always been to me a matter OF profound
obscurity and confess am propery shocked 10
aj6 IKE IysT ra y little child whom met at Green
said that she remarked when told that the bishop
Esidentiy eentiernen Mr.. Reid has not caught it
nrvesed to come here tonight and to be privileged
to say the first word of welcome TO the very dis
TTonl csgmber " of Commerce which imagine is
this Chamber has been Priyseged to entertain ain
Of large @ territory and os very
numerous people 9eye ana s With very Great future
coming here as citizens OF the United Uni States
Therefore. GsSlic 20 resent Nj do az
indignty which 3 TY6rt Geh9 has saS the recep
ton OF repeated letters from the secretary OF this
Chamber of Commerce admonishing me 10 be brief.
Mr Wflson-if he is Within the sound OF my voice
must remember that the only gentlemen who are
asncciav offended on occasions OF public dinners in
Nev-York are members OF Congress. I-aughter)
And he also Gwelt upon the fact SIR which Is hap
riIt faleiied by the conditions of the atmosphere
to-night that the weather would be very hot and
that the speeches. therefore ought to be very
short. -,
I snail not disapooint him, sir. l am one of the
.ary citizens az New-York in this tonight who
have been TO the Philippine Islands, and believe
that ae DISTINGUISHED from-it would be very auda-
cions for ma 10 say the Secretary Of War or my
friend Schurrnan-I distinguished by the fact
,hat naid nv own expenses. Uaughter) Well.
sir whatever il cost II was worth the expendi-
t,,-a Noq,odv who has the Philippine people
and e I had rot distinguished representatives
of them one on either side of me- nobody who mas
smoked such a Philippine cigar you can get in