The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-31
ASK TAFT TO TACKLE BOYCOTT
AMERICAN MERCHANTS IN CHINA
PETITION THE SECRETARY.


He Tells Them to Address tho President
Success Of the Party's Trip Thr ugh
Philippines Pointed Out-Oppononts
Of Administration Policy Converted.
Special Gable Despatch to THE SUN.
MANILA, Aug. 9O.-Representatives OF
American commercial interests In China,
including the Singer Sewing Machine Com
pany, the Standard Oil Company and the
-four and tobacco interests. are trying to
get Secretary of War Taft to take hand
in the hght against the Chinese boycott OF
American goods. Secretary Taft will be
in Hongkong for nearly week on his way
home from the Philippines. They have
telegraphed him asking him to obtain
authority to represent President Roosevelt
at o conference With the Viceroy Of Canton.
Canton Is the center Of the snti-American
movement, and the petitioners say they are
positive that any remedy applied there
would be equally ef1cacious throughout
China.
Secretary Taft has replied to them. recon-
mending that they communicate with Wash
ington. He has arranged to hold an inter-
view at Hongkong with American merchants
who are urging their homo Offices to interest
the President In their trouble.
The boycott Is reported to be most serious.
The -four trade Is paraly1ed and tho oil
trade lost 90 per cent. Of Its regular business
In July.
Secretary Taft announces his intention
Of filing vacancies in the commission and
other principal offices by the promotion OF
the most efficient officials experienced IN the
Philippine service, thus recognizing sue
cessful civil service here. instead OF ap-
pointing from the United States.
Secretary Taft says that the tour Of the
islands made by himself and his party
has been most successful. He believes
that the intelligent and minute observation
that has been made OF the conditions pre-
vailing In tho Philippines will materially
affect lie gislation. It has aroused the strong
personal interest Of the Congressman In
the party. who display eamestness for the
betterment Of the Filipinos. Some OF the
opponents Of the Administration seem to
have been converted. while others who
did not believe in the Governments policy
are publicly pledged to support the Ad-
ministration, honestly intending to advance
the accepted mission Of the Americans
in the Orient. Those favoring the policy OF
the Administration have gathered strength
to defend 1t.
Stronger efforts will be made to secure
q reduction OF the tariff. The situation
has vastly improved during the last two
years The commercial development In
some Of the provinces has been remarkable,
considering the terrible epidemics that
have prevailed The Government OF the
archipelago Is established on q strong
basis, and the Filipinos are rapidly learning
the method Of administration. The con-
struction Of railroads and harbors Is in
creasing. The schools are In tho most
hopeful condition.
The meeting Of the Congressman to listen
to any complaints Filipinos desired to make
against the Govern ment was closed to-day.
The Governors OF Bulaoan, Rial and Caga-
yam provinces. who were elected by popular
vote, attended to-days session. They
declared that independence would not
be feasible for twenty-five years. The
congressman generally consider that the
sessions have resulted In valuable expose
of the tribal factions and the impractical
theories OF the natives. They believe
that there is good material for develop
ment, but that it will require generations
for the natives to prepare for self govern
ment. Messrs. Fisk and Warren desired
to speak. but the other Congressman sug-
gested that the time was limited and said
they preferred hearing the Filipinos.
WARRINGTON, Aug. 3O.-At one place In
China, at least, the attempt to boycott
American goods has been a complete failure:
A mail report, dated July IL, was received
at the State Department to-day from
Thomas Summons, the American Consul
General at Newchwang. Several Efforts
have been made at that place to institute
a boycott, according to Mr.. Sammons, but
every meeting has brought forth strong
sentiment against a movement OF that
character. Ks made public by the State
Department to-day, Mr.. Sammons said;
In regard to the attempt made here to
arouse a feeling OF hostility to American
goods, l have the honor and pleasure to
report that the movement has been failure.
Several attempts have been made to Or
eanize the anti-American sentiment. but
each meeting resulted In stronger declara-
tons in opposition to interfering with the
sale Of American goods A number OF lead
ing Chinese merchants assured me that
thew would have nothing to do with move
ment to boycott American goods. and they
advised their friends to refrain from agita-
ting the subject.