Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-25

for delivery by our august sovereign his
majesty the Emperor OF China We con-
slider ourselves fortunate in that the dis
charge of this agreeable duty has given US
the much appreciated opportunity Of paying
our respects to the greatest champion of
peace, who is at the same time the stanch-
est friend of China In thus executing our
sovereigns g command, we avail ourselves of
the opportunity to respectfully offer to
your excellency our heartest wishes for
your excellency's continued health and hap
piness and for the peace and prosperity of
the people Of the United States.
The Emperor Letter.
The following is the letter OF the Emperor
of China to the President:
Greeting: With the increasing years of
friendly intercourse, the relations between
China and the United States have become
closer and more intimate. The United
States government has long been known for
its excellent organization by the adoption
of new principles of government with satis-
factory and beneficial results. As we con-
template the existing condition of affairs
with a firm determination to improve the
present order of things, we desire to avail
ourselves of your close friendship and
neighborly kindness to obtain the necessary
information for compa rison with view to
proper selection. Therefore, we have APP
pointed Tai Hung Chi junior vice president
to the board of revenue and Tuan Fang
governor of the province of Human, to be
commissioners, with instructions to proceed
to the United States and study the political
system of your country. In these high of
ficials we have long reposed our trust and
confidence by reason of their careful at
tention to current affairs and their clear
knowledge of political requirements. We
have commanded them to present respect
fully to your excellency this letter and
make known to your excelency our desire
in this matter. We trust that your excel
lency will receive them favorably, $50 that
they may be able to study the theory and
practice OF your governmental system to
the best advantage and obtain the neces-
sary information for future use
For your friendly assistance in this mat
ter We offer to your excellency our sincere
thanks.
Written this 9th day of the sth moon, In
1905)."
The Presidents Response.
The President responded as follows.
my feaow-countrymen l have great pleas
ure in welcoming you to the United States.
Entertaining, we do, feelings of sincere
anity and Of the highest regard for your
great people, whose progress In invention
and discovery stretches back through the
centuries to eras which to the communities
OF the west are prehistoric, we, who stand
among the younger nations, are glad Of all
opportunities to bring our peoples closer to-
gether and to diffuse among each better
knowledge OF mutual interests tending to
mutual advantage The kindly sympathy
of this country for the eastern empire has
found many opportunities of expression In
late years, and ! trust that the new century
Will bring a larger realization of our COM
mon desire for the peace and prosperity
and advancement of China l appreciate
the friendly sentiments thus testified By
your sovereign, to whom ask you to make
known my sincere wishes for his majestys
health and welfare