Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-12
TAI 7 At SHANGHAI
Secretary of War Talks Up
Trade In Orient.
DELEGATES Y. NJ. G. A. HOME.
Natives and foreigners Welcome Him
to Treaty Port.
SPEAKS OF OPEN DOOR IN FAR EAST

I'm Route to Manila Secretary Visits
Chinese and RcnsSurcs Them Of
Friendly Regard Held by America
Toward Them, wipinE Away All
idea OF III Feeling on Account Of
Their NTerchants' Boycott OF Our
Goods About Year AEo-DecIares
Policy OF United states Is 20 Make
Her Flag stand For Law. order and
Deooney aud For Honest Trade In
Orient.
SHANGHAI. Oct. o.-When Sccreta.
~ Of War William II. Taft and the
members OF his party arrived here en-
route to Manila the Chinese and for.
eign residents OF Shanghai united I'm
giving the distinguished visitor the
heartlest welcome that ever has been
extended TO a foreign statesman.
Mr.. Taft dedicated the building Of
the Young Mems Christian association
and made brief address, ln which he
said that the work OF the ASSOCIATION
among the Chinese was grent step I'm
the interests OF civilization He was
followed 10y 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 a native garden.
The decorations were most pictur.
esque. embroidered banners and a null
utudo OF Chinese lanterns making the
garden look Ike fairyland. The pro-
motors OF the reception were promI-
nent Chinese merchants representing
forty of the guilds formerly in the
boycott movements against American
manufacture. The change of sentl-
mcnt is most marked. many prominent
Chinese officials being present
Speeches OF welcome were made in
w. ocol Chinese business men.
sees. 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 10y sending relief 10 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, Gratifed him as an evidence OF
their friendship toward the American
people and government. At the conclu-
sion Of his address the secretary was
presented with a handsome silver
punch bowl. This reception marked an
epoch in the matter Of the status OF
women I'm China. for many Chinese
women of aristocratlc families were
present at the reception and even pre-
sided at tables whence they served
refreshments. This is the first time
such thing has happened I'm China.
This Chinese welcome to the Ameri-
can visitor was most significant and
the merchants aud high officials pres
ent contrasted IL with Mr.. Taft's for
mer visit to Shanghai and the DAYS OF
the American boycott
The American residents gave a ban
quet In the secretary's honor i'm the
evening. The foreign consuls and n
number of prominent foreign business
men were present. and il was in every
respect the largest and most represent
ative banquet ever given In Shanghai
10 reply 10 an address OF welcome Sec
rotary Taft made a speech which was
listened to with deep interest. He pref
aced his remarks by saying that he
spoke as an American citizen. not as
a representative of the governments
He renewed his assurances that the
United States had no intention of SELF
Ing the Philippine Islands, saying that
the country was in honor bound to re-
tain them or give the FHipinos their
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 ana that GER
tain branches OF this trade were sniff
GENTLY important TO make it fncum-
bent upon the American government
20 listen 10 the protest OF every legiti-
mate business man against diminution
In or injury TO this business or poIit-
ical prefermept for any competitor.
I'VE do not complain" the secretary
continued, "Of loss OF trade that re-
suits from the employment OF greater
enterprise, ingenuity or attention TO
the demands OF the Chinese market or
the greater business acumen shown
by our competitors.
China has no territory we desire"
Mr.. Taft went on. "and she can have
no prosperity that we will begrudge,
&c declared that American policy
was 20 make the dag stand for law and
order and decency and that the Shang-
hal American court dispensed exact
Justice In all business controversies
arising between Americans and the