Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1908-10-28
CHINA WELCOMES FLEET
Annoy, China, Looks Like a Different
City From What 1t Was Month
Ago, Says Dispatch.
Special to the Herald.

Special to the Herald.
Annoy, October 2S.-The arrange
ments for the reception of the Ameri-
can fleet and for the entertainment
of the officers and men of the visiting
warships now on their way to this
port from Japan, are practically COM
ent city compared to what it was a
month ago. The Chinese government
was anxious to give to the American
visitors royal welcome and was
therefore considerably embarrassed
when Annoy was selected as port of
arrival. Annoy has good harbor and
is a large trading port opposite the
isle of Formosa, but the city itself is
typically Chinese and entirely unpro-
vided with the accommodations and
comforts required by western visitors,
especially for any large number of
them coming at the same time.
The imperial government and the
provincial authorities appropriated
100000 taels, or about $500, 900, to de-
fray the expense of receiving and en-
PERTAINING the American fleet and a
considerable part of that sum had to
be used to put Annoy in a proper con-
dition for the reception of the Ameri-
cans. A landing pier had to be con-
.Structed, the streets thoroughly clean
ed and repaired, public and other
buildings decorated and Illuminated, a
road laid out from the sea to the pa
rade grounds and many of the tenn
pies and theatres renovated. The po-
lice force of Annoy had to be increased
and hundreds of walters imported
from Shanghai and Hong Kong to
wait ON the American officers and
men at the numerous banquets to be
given in their honor. The municipal
ity of Annoy refused to go to any extra
expense to honor the nations guests.
Recognizing the Importance of MAX
ing good showing, the imperial gov
eminent and the yiceroy of the PROV
ince did not spare their means but
gave DR.. George Mark, the Chinese
commissioner on arrangements, carte
blanche in making the preparations
for the great event.
Notwithstanding the comparative in
accessibility of Annoy and its insult
ability to such a purpose, the most
elaborate arrangements have been
made for welcoming and entertaining
the American visitors Upon its ar
rival the American fleet will be met
by squadron of Chinese warships
and escorted to the anchorage, where
the fleet will be formally received by
Prince Pulan, representing the royal
family, the Viceroy of Fukien, the gov
ernor of the province, the admiral and
the commander in chief of the land
forces, the Taotai of Annoy and other
high officials.
Everything is practically ready for
the advent of the visitors. The whole
city is handsomely decorated and
along the new road bamboos have
been planted, which will be hung with
Chinese lanterns every evening dur
ing the presence Of the Americans.
The officers of the American ships
will be entertained by the high Off
Gals and in their honor numerous
banquets after western fashion, with
American dishes and American drinks
will be given. The men of the fleet
will be separately entertained and
provisions have been made to feed
three thousand men at one time The
importation of provisions sufficient for
this large number of guests has been
a matter OF considerable worry and