The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-10-09
TAFT At SHANGHAI
MEETS CHINESE
MERCHANTS
Talks Of American Trade In the
Orient
HONOR TO OUR SECRETARY
Assures Chinese Of the Friendly Re-
gard Of America Toward the
Flowery Kingdom.

SHANGHAI, Oct. 9.-Wnen Secreta'
ry Of War William II. Taft and the
members Of his party arrived here er
route to Manila the Chinese and for
eign residents of Shanghai united In
giving the distinguished visitor the
heartiest welcome that ever has been
extended to foreign statesman.
Mr.. Taft dedicated the building OF
the Young Mems Christian association
and made brief address, in which he
said that the work Of the association
among the Chinese was great step In
the interests of civilization. He was
followed by several Chinese officials,
who spoke In approval Of the under.
taking.
Later the secretary was given an
elaborate reception by the Chinese res
idents out Of doors In native garden.
The decorations were most pictur.
esque, embroidered banners and null
utude Of Chinese lanterns making the
garden look like fairyland. The pro
moters of the reception were prOmi-
Inent Chinese merchants representing
forty-five Of the guilds formerly in the
(; boycott movements against American
manufactures. The change Of senti-
iment is most marked, many prominent
Chinese officials being present.
Speeches Of welcome were made in
English by local Chinese business men,
officials and the representative Of the
vicerOy. The Cinnamon emphasized
the cordial relations existing today be.
tween China and the United States.
saying the friendship Of America had
been evidenced by sending relief to the
famine sufferers, the support Of schools
and hospitals and the waving by the
United States Of her part of the Boxer
indemnity.
In reply Secretary Taft thanked the
Chinese for their reception, which. he
said, gratified him as an evidence of
their friendship toward the American
,people and government AT the conclu-
:siOp OF his address the secretary was
presented with handsome silver
punch bowl. This reception marked an
epoch in the matter Of the status of
women In China, for many Chinese
women of aristocratic families were
present at the reception and even pre-
sided ut tables whence they served
refreshments. This is the first time
such thing has happened In China.
This Chinese welcome to the Ameri'
can visitor was most significant, and
the merchants and high officials pres
ent contrasted 1t with Mr.. Taft's for
mer visit to Shanghai and the days of
the American boycott
The American residents gave ban
quet In the secretary's honor in the
evening. The foreign cOnsuls and a
number of prominent foreign business
men We're present, and it was In every
respect the largest and most represent
alive banquet ever given In Shanghai
In reply to an address of welcome Sec.
rotary Taft made speech which was
listened to with deep interest. He pref
aced his remarks by saying that he
spoke as an American citizen, not as
representative Of the government.
He renewed his assurances that the
United States had no intention of sell
ing the Philippine Islands, saying that
the country was in honor bound to re-
tain them or give the FilipinOs theil
independence. He praised the islands
and their inhabitants and then turned
his attention to the open door In Chi
ma. He declared that American trade
was now second In China and that Ger
tain branches of this trade were sufn
GENTLY important to make 1t incum
bent upon the American government
to listen to the protest Of every legiti
mate business man against diminutiOl
In or injury to this business or polit
ical preferment for any competitor
1--WE do not complain" the secretary
continued. ''Of loss of trade that re
suits from the employment of greater
enterprise, ingenuity or attention I,
the demands of the Chinese market o.
ithe greater business acumen show
10y our competitors.
1--WE would have the right to pro
test at being excluded from the trad,
,of China by reason Of our insistenc,
Tpon the policy OF the open door. Tn,
alcquiescence In this policy of all tn,
nations interested has been so unhesi
tating md emphatic that II Is hardl,
worth while to speculate upon tn
probable action Of the United State
in case the interests Of American mer
chants were placed in jeopardy, an,
how far the United States would 20 Il
the protection Of Its Chinese trade
cannot say 1t is clear, however, tina
our merchants are being reused to tn
Importance Of the Chinese expOr
trade, and they would view with dee
concern any and all political obstacle
to Its maintenance and expansion
This feeling in likely to find expressio
In the action Of the American COVER
ment.
American manufacturers today
not take the trouble to pack their goot
properly or send them out In the siz
desired by the Chinese, but this st
,necked lack Of business sense IL disa