The Washington times., 1908-07-30
TAFT PROMISED
CHINA J.. S. HELP
Significant Speech at Shang-
hal Banquet Never Printed
in Home Papers.
JAPAN REALIZES
AMERICAN STAND
Trade With Celestial Empire De-
mands Protection, and Will
Likely Get 1t.
BY ]. c. WELLIVER.

o4 J. ~ W HELL1N Elk.
The determination of the United
States Government to interpose its pow
er and influence against the Japanese
policy Of encroachment upon the com
merce and territory of China, was the
real reason for sending the great battle
feet 10 Oriental waters.
The United States has assured China,
in language as forcefuI as the conven-
tions OF diplomacy permit. that China
need not fear the aggressions Of Japan
so long as tho United States retains its
moral ana physical power to enforce its
policies In world affairs.
The bearer Of this message to the
Chinese government, the Chinese busi-
ness kings and the Chinese people, was
none other than William Howard Taft
1t is a remarkable fact that the most
noteworthy speech ever delivered by an
American upon foreign soil has never
I been printed in full in the United
| States. while its immense significance
has never been even remotely sug-
gested-
Carried Olive Branch to Japan.
Secretary Taft went TO Tokyo last au-
tumn as the personal representative OF
the President The japanese saw IN
him the bearer Of an olive branch, and
in Tokyo he declared war between the
United States and japan was an un-
thinkable crime
Then he went to China. At a banquet
in the Astor House in Shanghai he
told the Chinese that the United States
was China's friend and. would see her
through her troubles. At this banquet
| he addressed representatives Of the
| business, official ana professional Chi
nese world. The heads Of the gigantic
China Merchants Company, and the
famous Six Companies, representing
four-hfths Of all the internal commerce
OF China, heard hin. Further, they had
! private conference with him, from
which they came forth smiling and
When Secretary Taft gave these as
surances, the American battle feet was
already making preparations for its
sensational cruise TO the East, and All
the world was wondering what 1t
meant.
Became Sensation OF East.
UnheraIded and almost unheard Of in
the United States. that speech promptly
became the sensation Of the East. It
IS known and published and circulated
in every Asian country where there IS
unrest and uncertainty, fear Of foreign
| interference or ambition for independ-
ence Of European espionage.
Declaring that Americas far Eastern
| policy IS one of positive and deter
/ mined strength, Mr.. Taft said to the
| Chinese nation:
There is not the slightest danger of
/ a sudden cessation Of the present rela-
/ tion Of the United States to the Phil
! ippines, such as would be involved in a
/ sale OF those islands, and for our pres
/ ent purpose the attitude OF the United
| States toward China must be regarded
not alone as a country interested IN.
\ the trade Of China, but also as a power
! owning territory in China's immediate
I neighborhood .
This was ,cepted by the Chinese as
| definite confirmation Of the reF orts, then
| universally accepted IN the East, but
! little heard in America that the Amer
] lean fleets mission in China waters was
( TO give point and emphasis to this very
/ declaration, and TO refute the stories so
i induStriously circulated by the Japa-
/ nese. that the United States was about
| to sell the Philippines to Japan. The
/ possibility OF Japan coming into owner
I ship of the archipelago was especially
feared by the Chinese Mr.. Taft PRO
| ceeded:
Adheres to "0pen Door" Policy.
The policy Of the Government OF the
\ United States has been authoritatively
! stated TO be that Of seeking the per-
! nanent safety and peace Of the Chi
| nese. the preservation of China's terri
| torial and administrative entity, the pro-
! lection of all rights guaranteed by her
! to friendly powers by treaty and inter
/ national law, and, as a safeguard for
the world, the principle of equal and
J impartial trade with all parts of the
/ Chinese empire. This was the policy
| whicn John Hay made famous as that
/ of the open door By written memo
randum, all the great powers inter
/ ested In the trade Of China have sub
Continued on Second Page)