Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-21
DINNER GIVEN IN HIS HONOR
Minister WI Principal Guest at
Function in New York.
PRESIDENT TAFT SENDS LETTER
New Minister Outlines Policy To-
ward the Empire to Which
He Is Accredited.

NEW YORK. September 21.-An i'm
pressve farewell was given here last
night to Charles D. Crane of Chicago on
the eve of his departure to become min
lister to China. With Seth Low. former
president of Columbia University. as
POSTMASTER: Writing Fang, the retiring
Chinese minister, as principal guest: a
cordial letter of good will as President
Taft's contribution. and a long list of
the nations leaders in attendance, there
was nothing lacking at the dinner given
by the American Asiatic Association at
Delmonico's.
You have great opportunity in
China" Minister WI told Mr.. Crane.
Your Presidents policy toward China is
eminently fair and just. and will be re-
warded MANIFOLD With the opening of
the Panama canal will come America S
great chance in China The opening of
the canal is likely to result in such an
increase of Americas commercial power
there that her trade will surpass the
combined trade of all the European coun-
tries
Il join gladly in honoring the distin-
guished citizen who is to represent the
nited States in China He will repre-
sent his country we'll and faithfully
Expresses His Pleasure.
Mr.. Crane in his address spoke en-
Enthusiastically of the pleasure which he
took in accepting President Taft's offer
VI the post In China. The national at
titude toward China he said, "has never
been better outlined than in President
Taft's memorable Shanghai speech. when
ne said: China has no territory we
long for. and can have no prosperity
which we grudge her. nor any political
power or independence as an empire
Justly exercised, which we should resent >
mat sentence stamped Mr.. Taft as the
great friend of China and the author
OF helpful constructive policy for the
whole east
supported Grover Cleveland, but that
Shanghai speech of President Taft was
SO frank and clear and sounded so much
IKE one OF good old Uncle Growers that
l felt that possibly the government might
be safe if the hands of one republican.
Century Belongs to Pacific.
This is a century which belongs to
the Pacific. With our western country
filling up with fine, strong body of men:
with our extensive shore line on the Pa
c!fic and our powers of production call
ing for outside markets, we are singularly
fortunate to have as President one who
understands so well the conditions in the
ioi SoSI' "ho IDS 50 PROFOUND a SYM
pathy for the struggling people Of China
and one in whom these people have so
much confidence.
There is no mystery about my mission
TO the east l go to carry out the spirit
of the Shanghai speech. I go with pro-
found respect for and confidence In the
Chinese people and pride in the work to
be done. Whatever is for the greatest
prosperity and benefit of the Chinese
that is the best thing for u.s.
Presidents Letter.
President Taft's letter to Seth Low,
president of the association, which was
read to the diners, was as follows:
MY Dear Mr.. Low: | greatly regret
that l shall not be able to be present at
the dinner. Our relations to China in
the far east, of course, are o. great i'm
portance, and l am sure that Mr.. Crane
carries with him the spirit of friendship
toward the great middle king dom and of
interest in it's development VIII CHI cor
rectly represents the feeling OF our gov
eminent and our people. I earnestly hope
that his mission will have a successful
issue, and l beg you to convey to him my
sincere wishes for a pleasant voyage and
patriotic and useful service. Sincerely
yours WILLIAM II. TAFT
Among others at the banquet were AL
ton B. Parker. George B. Cortelyou. Ly
man Abbott, Attorney General George w.
Wickersham, Nicholas Murray Butler,
president of Columbia University; Benja-
min Ide Wheeler. president of the Uni
versity of California; John II. Finlay. pres
ident of the College of the City of New
York: Richard Watson Glider. editor of
the Century; Lebbeus r. Whitley, former
and District Attorney William Travers
Jerome