The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-22
FRIENDSHIP PLEA
OF WI TING-FA NG
Says China No Longer Has
Hostile Feeling for
America.

NEW YORK. April 22.-DiscIaiming
responsibility for the boycotting OF
American goods in China and giving his
assurance that this country and China
now were on the most friendly terms,
WI Ting-fang, Chinese minister to the
United States, spoke last night at the
dinner OF the American Asiatic Asso-
citation. The dinner was held in Del
monicO's, and among those who told OF
the progress which China was making
were former Mayor Seth Low, Justice Of
the Supreme Court John Ford. Judge
L. r. Wiley Of the United States court
in China, and John Barrett.
There are now no matters Of great
controversy between the two countries
which cannot be amicably settled" WI
TIM fang said, "and the political hori-
zon is smooth and clear. There IS no
mist such as, I am sorry to say. did
exist. In this connection 7 am referring
TO the incident which is we'll known to
you ALL mean the boycott on Ameri-
can goods. 1t was alleged that 1 started
the boycott, or IL not, that I inspired It.
Can't Understand RumOr.
- cannot understand how this absurd
rumor originated. but once it was given
out it was copied in many newspapers,
and even some of my friends in America
wrote me, suspecting 1 had something
10 do with It. 1 can say that it was
one Of the most malicious Hbels that
could be invented against a person,
as it had not the least foundation.
when you study the foreign relations
of my country for the last half century
or so feel SLre you will make allow
aHcs for the feeling of resentment and
indignation on the part of my people
The feeling Of utter heIpIessr ess against
violence and wrong only ir creases the
bitterness Of the soul. Tie American
people, approaching with their great
ness of mind and soul all the weak
Desses and exaggerations Of a newborn
spirit, such as we have in China, have
treated IL with consideration They
have adopted the proper view tha this
split marks the true awakening OF
China and that the faint Of anti-foreign
Ieehng with which IL is imbued will
rapidly disappear as soon as II is under
stood that the nation against which
hostility is exhibited is really a friend
in disguise.
Will Remain Friendly.
"Chinas relations with America will
always remain friendly. It Is natural
that they should be so when you con-
slider that on your side your policy is
justice and fair play, and on our side
honesty and straightforwardness You
may be sure acts of kindness and fair
ness such as return or waiver Of over
ten millions OF dollars TO China. will
certainly create a most favorable I'M
preston in China and strengthen the
bond Of friendship between the two
countries. No more MISUNDERSTANDING
! feel sure, can occur in the future, and
the relationship between the two coun-
tries will become closer day by day"
John Barrett. director of the Interna-
tiOnal Bureau OF the American Repuo-
lies. pointed out the importance OF the
Panama canal He sai0 the main JUeS-
ton was not whether II would cost
three hundred or five hundred millions
20 build IL, or whether the shipping tolls
would pay for its maintenance.
The main consideration. he said. was
whether IL would perform its function
or bringing the east and west coasts
OF the United States into closer rela-
ton and Of putting this country into
intimate touch with the great west
coast OF South America The next i'm
portant feature, ne asserted. was
whether r. would provide easier com
municatiOn between the east coast OF
the United States and China and Japan.