The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-23
TO RETURN THANKS
TANG sHAo YIa ARRIVES AT SAN
 FRANCISCO.
Guns Mounted on the Harbor Front Bo0mea Out a Salute and ThOus- nnda of His Countrymen
 Thromged the Dock,


 Bo0mea Out M Salute and ThOus-
 mndx of His C0untrymen
 Thronged the Dock.
 San Francisco. Cal Nov. 22.-Con- yeying to the American Government the gratitude of the Chinese people for remittance of a debt amounting to nearly s14so0o. 900 Tang Shao Yi. pow erful figure in the affairs of the Chi- nese Empire arrived in San Francisco today on the steamer Mongolia With him was Prince Tsai Flu. member of the royal family, and q large retinue.
 Thrice in the history of the oldest nation has there arisen occasion for the appointment of such commission as is domiciled tonight in the Fair mont Hotel, and never has foreign power been so strongly represented through diplomatic channels during the period of 8 crisis of worldwide im- portance. In his honor, the dragon flag flew today from the mastheads of a score of vessels in the bay. guns mounted on the harbor front boomed out q salute and thousands of his countrymen. silk robbed or silk halted. thronged the dock where his escort landed.
 Not until the Mongolia dropped an- chor in the harbor did Tang Shao Vi and his stan learn that the Dowager Empress of China was dead. In Hon. oIulu sthe cable brought news of the Emperor's death. but said nothing about the dangerous illness that threat ened the end of the Dowager Empress remarkable career. It was only when Hsu Ping Chen. the Consul General at San Francisco. boarded the steamer with a score, of caDlegrams from the Far East, that the distinguished vis- itor was acquainted with the full ex. 70 a.lam since his departure. Even the habit- ual Oriental reserve did not suface to conceal his perturbation, and while dignitarIes of the State and Govern ment awaited his attention, he scanned message after message. apparently un- conscious of their presence. Tn acc cordance with the edict of mourning, his entire party will remain practical ly secluded during it's stay of three days in this city and the local Chinese colonys arrangements for costly ban- uuets and other forms Of entertain- ment have been cancelled. In other re- spects, however. the mission of the special embassy will be fulfilled and Tang Shao TL with the fifty members of his retinue will so directly to Washington, where he will remain url- til after the inauguration of Presi' dent-eIect Taft.
 Only once during the day did the self control of Tang Shao IT give way. This was several hours after his ar- rival when he sat clothed In a mag nificen& robe of blue, in his apartments in the Eairmont Hotel. He had guard edly spoken of the situation in China and returned non-commtttal answers to a. score of duestions relating to the probable results of his visit to Wash ington. Finally he was asked to dc. fine exactly the meaning of his unusual position and his princeiy Tetinue. Tn reply he said:
 "Belieye us. we have no purpose oth- CT than to show the depth of the heartfelt gratitude that the Govern naent of china entertains toward the United States for this fresh demonstra" ton of good will.
 To another pointed question touching incldentss which might occur Tn ms country and their bearing upon the reIations between the two nations, he
 .If there are matters of grave trn- Dort to be decided, shall doubtless 1.s..t,einate in the deliberations. You Snust understand tl'a; during my stay in this country outrank the Chinese Ministers, and some matters VIII proo- ably be referred to me for eonsidera- tion.
 .arhe object of my present mission Is to convey to the Government and peo- pIe of the United States the grateful thanks of the Government and people of China for remitting & portion of the Fsoxer indemnity The generous ac- tion on the part Of the United States fin this matter has evoked an apprecia- tive response throughout the country
 ''Vhile I am in the United States shall take the opportunity to visit different parts of the country, especially to renew the acquaintance of old friends and places. I spent the days of my boyhood in New England, ana, have not visited this country agair since my return to China in 1881 It is my intention to remain at Washington until next March. While l have In view an extensive tour of Europe to look into the financial systems and methods of the different countries. I am not sure wh ether I shall be able to carry oue my original program.
 we look for a continuance of the policy. that has prevailed In China dur inG the past few years We look for no important changes that will affect Chtna's relations with other countries. The reports of riots and disturbances in various parts of the empire have been much exaggerated.
 'Ts 1t likely" Secretary Yung Kwai was asked. .that Chung Mung Yew, who accompanies your party, will suc- ceed Minister Wu Ting Fang at Wash lngton,"
 we have learned nothing of an inn pending change at that post except through unauth orized publications at home and abroad" was the reply. 'I might add that Shung Mung Yew is now in mourning for his father, and during a period for his father, and come, will not be in a position to even consider such an appointment.