New-York tribune., 1907-10-09
CHINA WELCOMES TAFT.
n SPEECH OF GOOD WILL.
officials Shoe Hearty appreciation
of America's Policy.

.,,o-s NJ his marty arrived here to-day from
,bo steamer Minnesota, which is conveying him
.ror, Japan to Manila The Chinese and the
.oreign residents of Shanghai united in giving
,he distinguished visitor the heartiest welcome
,ta+ ever has been extended to a foreign states
man.
This afternoon Mr.. Taft dedicated the local
building of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
.ion He made a brief address in which he said
that the work Of the association among the
Chinese was a great step in the interests of
civilization. and he followed by several
Chinese officials who spoke in approval of the
undertaking.
At o'clock this afternoon the Secretary was
the guest Of honor at a reception given by the
Chinese residents This entertainment was in
a native garden. The decorations pictur-
esoue embroidered banners and multitude Of
Chinese lanterns making the garden look like
fairyland. The promoters of the reception
we're prominent Chinese merchants represent
ing forty-five of the guilds formerly in the boy
colt movement against American manufactures.
The change Of sentiment to-day was marked.
A number of prominent Chinese officials
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 to-day between China and the United
had been evidenced by sending relief TO the fam
inc sufferers. the support of schools and hos
pitals and the waiving by the United States Of
her part Of the Boxer indemnity
In reply, Secretary Taft thanked the Chinese
FOR their reception. which, he said, gratifed him
as evidence OF their friendship Toward the
American people and government. At the con-
clusion Of his address a silver punchbowl was
presented TO the Secretary
This reception marked an epoch in the status
Of women in China, for to-day Chinese women
Of aristocratic families were present and
even presided at the tables where they
served refreshments. This is the first time
such a thing has happened in China. This
Chinese welcome to the American visitor was
most significant, and the merchants and high
officials present contrasted it with Mr. Taft's
former visit TO Shanghai and the days of the
American boycott
CHINESE-AMERICAN RELATIONS
The American residents gave dinner in the
Secretary's honor this evening. At this enter
tainrnent the foreign consuIs and a number of
prominent foreign business men were present
II was the largest and most representative din
ner ever given in Shanghai. In reply to an ad-
dress Of welcome Secretary Taft made a speech
which was listened to with deep interest
He prefaced his remarks by saying that he
spoke as an American citizen not as a represent
ative of the government. He renewed his assur-
ances that the United States had no intention
of selling the Philippine Islands saying that the
country was in honor bound to retain them or
give the Filipinos their independence. He
praised the islands and their inhabitants, and
then turned his attention to the open door in
China
American trade, said Mr. Taft was now sec
ond in China. and certain branches Of this trade
were sufficiently important to make it incum-
bent on the American government to listen to
the protest of every legitimate business man
against dinlinution OF or injury to this business
or political preferment for any competitor
We do not complain" the Secretary continued
"of loss Of trade that results from the employ
ment Of greater enterprise ingenuity or atten-
ton 10 the demands Of the Chinese market or
the greater business acumen shown by our COM
petitors. We would have the right to protest
Al being excluded from the trade OF China by
reason OF our insistence upon the policy of the
open door.
The acquiescence in this policy Of all the
tons interested has been so unhesitating and
emphatic that IL is hardly worth while TO spec
ulate upon the probable action Of the United
States in case the interests of American
chants were placed in jeopardy. and how far the
United States would go in the protection Of it's
Chinese trade cannot say. It is clear how
ever, that merchants are being reused to
the importance of the Chinese export trade. and
they would view with deep concern any and all
political obstacles to its maintenance and ex-
pansion- This feeling is likely TO find express
sion in the action OF the American government
IMPORTANCE OF TRADE WITH CHINA.
American manufacturers to-day do not take
The trouble to pack their goods properly or
send them out in the sizes desired by the Chi
nese but this stiffnecked lack OF business sense
IS disappearing slowly. and our merchants are
becoming aroused to the importance Of this
trade. which has grown without government en-
couragement and which has future.
There is no reason to complain of this govern
mental Indifference. The United States and the
other powers favor the open door, and If they
are wise they will encourage the empire TO take
long steps in administrative and governmental
reform. the development Of the resources Of
China and the improvement of the welfare of
the people. To do this will add to China's
strength and position as self-respecting gov
ernment and aid her in preparing to resist pos
sble foreign aggression in the seeking Of undue
and exclusive proprietary privileges. Thus no
foreign aid will be required to enforce the open
door and the policy Of equal opportunity for all"
The Secretary said that the gold standard for
China would rebound to the benefit of the en-
pire, and that the cry Of China for the Chi
nese' need not frighten any man. He said that
the Chinese should devote their energies to the
development of the country's resources, the ele-
ration Of the people. the enlargement of trade
and administrative reform, and that these
changes would increase Americas trade. Radi-
cal and sudden reforms he believed to be un-
wise. saying that these must come gradually.
Every Improvement aimed at had the deep SYM
pathy Of America. There was no jealousy