New-York tribune., 1907-06-23
G00DBY TO SIR LIANG.
At FAREWELL LUNCHEON
members Of the Asiatic Association
Praise Chinese Minister.


Asiauc Association gave luncheon yesterday
In honor Of Sir Chentung Liang-Cheng, the
Chinese Minister to the United States.
The luncheon was held in the rooms of the
Merchants Club. and was in the nature of a
public farewell to the Chinese diplomat, who
will soon return to his country to assume the
duties of his new office-vice-president of the
Board of Foreign Affairs. There were present
about sixty members and guests
Sir LianG. in his speech. delivered In good
English. expressed his pleasure at representing
his government at Washington in the admin
istration of President Roosevelt. He said the
United States and China are so situated that
they can always maintain the most friendly rela-
tions.
Lowell Lincoln. vice-president of the Ameri-
can Asiatic Association. who presided, said. ad-
dressing the guest of honor, that the members
all felt deep regret at the latters departure.
and paid tribute to Sir Liang's able services
at Washington
Mr.. Lincoln said:
Sir Liang: I have the honor to convey to your
eXceHency the sentiments of profound regret which
your approaching departure from the United States
has excited among tho members Of the American
Asiatic Association. Since the first day of your
arrival In the country this association has followed
your oInClal career with a sympathetic interest
based on the conviction that no man could have
been better equipped to interpret China to America
ana America to China. Early in your life you had
the opportunity 10 become thoroughly conversant
with American ideas in American school and
no one who knows you fail to recognize how
recepuVe was the mind which was submitted to
this training.
You have demonstrated the value of your cos
nlopoltan training in the various positions of
diplomatic responsibility which you have filed here
ana elsewhere, and Minister Of China 70 the
United States you have shown the exceptional
capacity which knOWledgA am oIor
can give for the adequate discharge Of the func-
tion Of the reconcfer At times when Il appeared
that the harmonious relations between the Chinese
Empire and this Republic were in danger of dis
turbance you have been able TO make It plain
that the causes Of division were merely accidental
ulu temporary. You have always been prompt to
testify to the generous impulses which have moved
the government OF the United States In it's rela-
tIohs with your government and have never per-
mitted these TO be lost sight Of in dealing with
ebulhtlons of local and unintegent prejudice from
any section OF the people OF either nation. For the
future maintenance and prOmot ton OF friendliness
and good Will between the American people and
the people of China we know Of no methods better
than those which you have consistently and
diligently employed The high esteem in which
you have been held by the government of the coun-
try TO which you are accredited has been fully
slightest familiarity with the nature of the duties
you have had to discharge.
on behalf OF the members of this association. who
have had special reasons for closely observing your
official career, beg to convey TO you the sincere
nope that your sphere Of future usefulness may
be commemorate with your great abilities and ex-
allied character None of the expectations with
which hailed your coming has been disap-
pointed and We hope and believe that In the ad-
vance Of your country along the path OF progress
on which 1t has entered you will play part as
distinguished as II cannot fail to be honorable.
The minister replied as follows:
Gentlemen Of the American AsiatIc Association
and friends; I wish to thank your vice president
for the kindly terms In which he has spoken OF me
Though hardly deserve all the compliments thus
paid me- I cannot help feeling grati1ed ana flat
tered by them, coming they do from such n
source know full well that 1t Is the purpose and
aim OF your association to look after American
Interests in the Orient. Your work IN this dIrec
ton is well appreciated IN China ana Japan. As
the representative Of China in this country II IS
my duty oS course to look after Chinese interests
in America Il might be supposed that in the
natural course OF things there would sometimes
be Il clash between the association and myself in
the performance of functions. but 1 glad
TO testify that nothing of the kind has ever
CURED. I have found to my intense grluhcaton.
that Chinese interests I'm this country and Ameri-
interests in China not at all antagonistc,
but go hand in hand. I might name many in
stances I'm which the association has given
valuable assistance and support.
China and the United States situated that
they always maintain the most friendly rela-
tlons There is no difficulty that may arise between
tho two countries which cannot be adjusted by a
free exchange Of views and Il full appreciation OF
each others limitations and powers. The gradual
removal OF every cause Of friction between the
two governments since I assumed charge of the
legation at Washington has been source of great
During my official residence in this country IT
has been my good fortune to meet and associate
with many men whose friendship value highly.
particularly the members Of this association My
stay In this country has been very pleasant. At
the hands of your government and people have
received every courtesy and attention.
l congratulate myself I'm having the good fortune
to be rhe Minister to the United States at a time
when Theodore Roosevelt IS fits President and John
Hay and Elhu Root is the Secretary Of State.
The recent action Of your government in the
vision Of the Indemnity figures by the executive
department to Il sum less than one-half OF its
original amount and that the President Will be
pleased to ask the next session of Congress for
authority to act therein of all OF which have
been officially notified by your State Department, Is
another evidence of the high of Justice which
has always actuatcd your government In her deal
ing with the Chinese Empire This magnanimous
has the lasting gratitude of the govern
ment people of China and cannot fail to further
cement the friendly relations which happily ex-
ist between the two countries.
1t Is with feeling Of special regret that I con-
template the day OF my near departure. But hope
that my return 70 China VIII not interrupt those
relations with your association which l have had
the pleasure enjoy in this country. l thank you
for giving me this opportunity of saying Goodby to
you all.
The indemnity referred to by Sir Liang was
that growing out of the Boxer uprising amounts
ing to 100000. Half of this amount is to be
returned James b. Reynolds IN his speech
said that Sir Lang's first notable act In the
United States was when as q member of the
baseball nine of Phillips Andover Academy from
which the minister graduated. he made a
hit In the seventh inning that won the game
The speaker then told of Sir Liang's part in the
political and social regeneration of China, which,
unlike that attempted in Russia, was accom-
plished without boodshed. although ii involved
three times the number of people in the Cars
empire.
Mr.. Reynolds also pointed out that the ap-
pointment Of MIR. Denby of former Minister
DENLY, as consul general at Shanghai would
further stimulate the commercial relations be-
tween the United States and China because OF
Mr. Denby's familiarity with the language and
VIII,