The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-10-10
shanghai GIVES
| TAFT BIG WELCOME
CHINESE MERCHANTS HOLD RE-
cEPTloN IN HIS HONOR.
NATIVE WOMEN ASSIST
Function Marks Epoch In Their
Status - American Residents
Banquet the Secretary
a5r Of War.

Shanghai, Oct. 9.--Secretary Of War
William H. Taft and the members of
hrs party arrived here Tuesday from
the steamer Minnesota, which is con-
yeying him from Japan to Manila.
The Chinese and the foreign residents
of Shanghai united in giving the dis
tinguished visitor the heartiest well
come that ever has been extended to
a foreign statesman.
Tuesday afternoon Mr.. Taft dedi-
Gated the building OF the Young Mems
Christian association. He made a
brief address in which ha said the
work of the association among the
Chinese was great step in the In
terests of civilization, and he was fol-
lowed by several Chinese officials who
spoke in approval Of the undertaking.
Entertained by Chinese Merchants.
At four o'clock the secretary was
given an elaborate reception by the
Chinese residents. This function was
out of doors In a native garden. The
decorations were most picturesque,
of Chinese lanterns making the gar
den look like fairylsnd. The pro-
moters of the reception were promi-
nent Chinese merchants representing
45 of the guilds formerly in the boy
colt movements against American
manufacturers. The change of senti-
ment was marked. A number of
prominent Chinese officials were
present.
Speeches Of welcome were made in
English by local Chinese business
men officials and the representative
of the viceroy. The Cinnamon en-
phasized the cordial relations existing
between China and the United States,
saying the friendship ofSAmerica had
been evidenced by sending relief to
the famine sufferers, by the support OF
schools and hospitals. and by the waiv-
ing by the United States of her part
OF the Boxer idemnity. In reply Sec
retary Taft thanked the Chinese for
their reception, which he said graft
fed him as an evidence of their
friendship toward the American peo-
pie and government At the con-
clusion of his address the secretary
was presented with handsome silver
punch bowl.
Even the Women Present.
This reception marked an epoch In
the matter of the status of women in
China, for Chinese women of aristo-
cratic families were present at the
function and even presided at the
tables whence they served refresh
ments. This is the first TINE such
thing has happened in China. This
Chinese welcome to the American Wis
itor was most significant, and the mer-
chants and high officials present con
trasted 1t with Mr.. Tafts former visit
to Shanghai and the days of the Amer
ican boycott.
Rahqueted by Americans.
The American residents gave
banquet to the secretary In the even
ing. The foreign consuls and a num-
Der OF prominent foreign business men
were present. Mr. Taft made
speech which was listened to with
deep interest. He prefaced his re-
marks by saying that he spoke as an
American citizen, not as represen-
tative of the government. He re-
newed his assurances that the United
States had no intention of selling the
Philipplaef islands, saying that the
country was in honor bound to retain
them or give the Filipinos their in
dependence.
He praised the islands and their in
habitants, and then turned his atten-
tion to the open door in China. He
declared that American trade was
now second in China, and that certain
branches of this trade were sufficient
ly important to make Ii incumbent
upon the American government to
listen to the protest of every legiti-
mate business man against diminu-
tion OF or injury to this business, or
political preferment for any COM
petitor.