Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-24
TRIP TO THE ORIENT
MIR. HILLS ADDRESS BEFORE
CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION.

About go people from Connecticut nov
living In Washington made up the greater
part of the audience which was addressed
last evening in Grand Army Hall. 1411
Pennsylvania avenue, by Representative
Ebenezer J. Hill of Connecticut. on, the
subject OF the recent trip OF the Taft party
to the Orient The gathering was held
under the auspices of the Connecticut Re-
publican Association of the District of Co
lumbia- Representative Hill gave an In
terestfng account of the manners and cus-
toms of the Japanese. and explained, as he
had been able TO judge It, the character OF
the Filipino.
The speaker was introduced by Mr. Harry
NJ. Camp, president of the assocfa ton.
Nearly al the members Of the Connecticut
delegation in Congress were present. In
Guiding Senator Brandegee and Senator
Balkefey and Representa- tfyes Lfiey, Henry
and Higgins.
The speaker was followed with close at
tention throughout the lecture, the appre-
citation of the audience being often mani
tested In applause. He told of the reception
the American party received In Japan. and
described audience given the visitors by
the emperor at the palace. The spectacle
of the American statesmen bowling low and
backing out of the imperial chamber, he
said was unique and amusing.
Representative Hill gave a humorous de-
scription of the awkward attempt of the
Americans at a banquet at private resi-
denee to conduct themselves In accordance
with the best table manners in vogue in
that country. All the guests. he said, ex-
cepting Secretary Taft essayed to follow
the example of their hosts in dropping on
their knees on the floor in front of a of
cushions. which served instead of a table,
down the side of the hall In making the
effort, Mr.. Hill declared many of the Amer
leans rolled over on the floor.
Close Neighbors Now.
r The speaker said that America and Japan
had come to be close neighbors, pointing
out on a map the proximity of Formosa and
the northern islands of the Philippines,
only ninety-three miles of sea stretching
between. He showed that Luzon, the larg-
est island of the group is about eight
times the size of Connecticut. The Philip
pines, he said, resemble Japan to a marked
degree Mr.. Hill declared that the Catholic
Church had done a great work in the con-
version Of the Fiipinos from Mohammedan-
ism He said it was the only instance in
history where such u result, affecting a ma
ton, or large part of a nation, had been
accomplished.
He described Manila as a splendid, mod
ern city, furnishing high degree of civ
ilization. The party. he said. was con-
stantly entertained In some more or less
elaborate way while in the city. The
strenuous life in Japan. Mr.. Hill declared
was simple in comparison with the round
OF receptions and other functions in Manila
Mr. Hill related many incidents ilustrat-
ing the racial characteristics Qf the Fill
ipfnos. Few of the educated people of the
country, he thought, wish self-government
at this time great deal has been accom-
plished, he said, in the education of the
Filipino children. The speaker reviewed in
general way the improvements on the
islands brought about under American rule.
He warned his hearers against what he
considered the injustice of criticising the
administration of the affairs of the Philip
pines without a full understanding of the
existing conditions.
The audience INDUCED In social inter-
course for half hour after the close of the
lecture