Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-04-22
MALICIOUS LIE
DECLARES
Mr.. WI
STORY THAT HE STARTED
ANTI-AMERICAN BOYCOTT
Minister Gowned in Stunning
Costume Delivers Optimistic
Address at America-ASiatiC
Banquet in New York,

IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire.
New York, April 2t.--Bearing mes
sage of peace and good will from the
celestial empire and expressing the
conviction that the relations between
China aud the United states will be-
come closer day by day, WI Ting
Fang, minister from China, speaking
tonight at the banquet of the Ameri-
can-Asiatic association at Delmoni-
co.'s made his first public address since
his return to America.
The awakening of China to western
civilization and TIL broad industrial
field opened in consequence to Amer
lean trade were themes Interestingly
developed by Judge l.. Wiley OF
Shanghai, judge of the United States
court for China. and John Barrett
director Of the international bureau
Of American republics, both of whom
shared with WI Ting Fang. the prin-
cipal guest, in the hOnors of the eve
ni-g.
WI Ting Fang was welcomed with
cheers and applause by the diners
who rose and drank a toast to the
diplomat from the Orient, when he
was introduced. The Chinese minis
ter was gOWned in a fetching brown
polonaise with salmon hued sleeves
and wore a black and red buttoned
"ar in front of which blazed an enor-
nous jewel denotlng his high rank.
WI Ting Fang said:
1T is worth while for merchants
who wish to have dealings with China
to study the progress She Is now max
ing. China has become mOdernized.
That being the case her people will
necessarily learn more from the west
ern countries and they will acquire
some Of the western habits and tastes.
This Will increase the trade with for
eign countries.
Il quite agree with your chairman
when he says that in the history of
the Intercourse between China and
America there has been no time when
there were so few matters of contro-
versy requiring treatment. There are
now no matters of great controversy
between the two nations which can
not be amicably settled and the pol
itical horizon is smooth and clear.
There Is no mist or cloud such as .
am sorry to say existed some years
ago and which happily has been dis
persed. In this connection | am re- !
fcrriug to the incident which is well .
known to you ALL mean the boy /,
colt on American goods. 1t was al /
legged that | started the boycott or if .
not that ] inspired it, ! can not un- |
derstand how this absurd rumor or .
iEinated. | can say that it was one
of the most malicious libels that could |
be invented against a person as 1t .
had not the least foundation.
1.-THE boycott was started in Shang
hal and in the south of China while
| was one of the ministers in the Wal
WI Pu (the foreign office in Pekin) |
and | and my colleagues were doing
all we could to stop the agitation.
After years Of slumbcr our peo-
pic have had a feeling of nationalism
stir within their breasts Whatever
you may call patriotism, unrest
or what not---it is there. and the peO-
pie are very sensitive about it, which
we know from experience is natural
both with individuals and with ma
tlons, Now there are some people
who would poke fun at this fenling,
it, or even suggest it, sup
preston by forcible measures or by
demonstrations. 1t Is needless tp say
that this narrow minded, and short
sighted view does not tend to paCify
or soothe the feeling. The effect is
Just the opposite.
The American people appreciating
with their greatness of mind and soul
all the weaknesses and eNaggerations
Of a new born spirit have treated it
with consideration and have adopted
the proper view that this spirit marks [
The true awakening of China and that
taint of anti-foreign feel
ing with which it is imbued win
rapidly disappear as soon as 1t is un-
that the nation against
whom hostility is exhibited is really a
friend in disguise.
Chna's relations with America win
always remain friendly. 1t is natural
that they should be so when you CON
slider that your policy is justice and
fair plaV and on our side honesty and
raight-fOrwardness. You may be .
sure acts Of kindness and fairness, ,,
such as return or waiver of over ten
Millions of dollars to China will GER =,
ainly create a most favorable impress !
sion in China and strengthen the bond ,,
If friendship between the two Coun- !
res No more misunderstand-- :
ngs, | feel sure. can occur in the fut- /,
Ire and the relationship between the ,,
wo countries will yet become closer ,
lay by day"