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Mr. Fang Wa Chun interpreted the speech. Mr. J. W. BOLLES, Fubmitting the toast of "The Emperor of China," said :-This company represents in the main the great. Empire of Chius That China may peacefully develop a patriotic self-consciousnes, and take the position among the Powers of earth to which her splendid resources and the industry, the thrift and friendliness of her people entitle her, and which| the God of nations bas in store for her, is the wish of right-thinking men of all nations. I ask you to drink to the health of the Emperor of Chius. (Loud applause.)
Mr. Lau Chu Pak interpreted the speech. The CHAIRMAN Dext proposed the health of his Excellency Wu Ting Fang. Americans, he sai, are universal y pleased at the election by the Peking Government of Dr. Wu Ting Fang to again represent the Chinese Empire in the United States. We are fortunate in having the gentleman with us to-dav Dr. Wu, by his ready wit, his kindly spirit, by his willingness to talk and entertain in all parts of the country, and not less by his loyalty to the interests of his own Fmpire, proved a great success in Washington for six years. Horg. kong is proud of this distinguished son, and all of us, of whatever nationality, wish him a safe journey to America, prosperity in his ways, and fresh triumphs in diplomacy, for the interests of both China and America. (Applause.)
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRE88 AND
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William Taft truly a world-figure. There is sentence in the Christian's Bible that is accepted by men of all creed".
"Of one blood created He all nations."
All men respond to the touch of true manhood, and it is because of Mr. Taft's broad sympathy and high integrity that men of all nations, faiths and tongues the world over gather to do him tonour -(applanse).
The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI proposed the health of the distinguished guest in a Chinese speech in which he felicitously alluded to Mr. Taft's previous visits to the Colony, and to his great work in the Philippine Islands,” Particular reference was made to Mr. Taft's last visit to the Colony when he met some of the Chine residents and discussed with them the questions which had led to the boycott of American imports into China with 8 view. to a settlement of the matters in dispute. In most cordial terms Dr. Ho Kai mitted the toast which was received with marked cordiality.
Mr. TFT, on rising to reply was greeted with prolonged applause. He said:-Mr. Chairman, Mr. Minister. and Chinese gentle men of Hongkong,-It is a great pleasure to me to be in Hongkong once more. I think this is my fifth visit and always have I found Hongkong hospitable, always have I found it beautiful. It is a city remarkable in the world's history, that it should have grown, Mr. Ho Tung interpreted the speech. as sometimes a tree will grow on earth," "out of HE. WU TING FANG replied in English, a rock. And the prosperity of the city, the his speech being afterwards translated into | door of Chins, as it is, makes it, without any Chinese by Mr. Fung Wa Chun. His Ex-country back of it in a sense, the commer cellency said :-I am very much pleased indeed cial means of reaching Chins, and makes it to be present on this occasion to do honour to our distinguished friend, Mr Taft-(applause). But I am somewhat surprised that a toast has been given in my honour, and I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the flattering expressions given in my favour. I hope I deserved one quarter of them. Now gentlemen, I am not to keep you long by speaking, because a more distinguished gentleman is to follow me and we will all be glad to hear him (applause). It is needless for me to say, and I think all the gentlemen here present will join with me, that it has given u all great pleasure to welcome the distinguished guest here (applause, I had the pleasure and honour of knowing him when I was in America. He was a Judge of the High Court and need scarcely tell you that be dispensed justice equally, without partiality, without distinction of race, colour, politics or religion-(hear, hear and applause). And whatever position he holds he is a credit to himself and an honour to the country in which he holds 80 high a position. Of course, as I am going to America
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unique among the cities of the world. Now, it is a great pleasure, also, for me to meet here my old college friend the American Consul- General, Mr. Amos Wilder. It is a great pleasure to meet His Excellenov the Chinese Minister to Washington, Dr. Wa. But it is somewhat embarrassing to meet both, for Mr. Wilder is known from one end of the United States to the other as the first after-dinner speaker that we have in that country-(applause), and Dr. Wa, while he was six years in the United States, became one of our foremost orators (applause), and now to be led on by them into a comparison in which one is necessarily at a great disadvantage produces considerable embarrassment. You would think that our friend the American Consul-General of course graduated some ten or fifteen years before me, but it is not the fact-(laughter). He was the classmate of a younger brother of mine you would not think it, but it is the fact (laughter). Another fact that you don't know but I am prond to advise you of is that Dr. Wa not going to speak of politics and I are classmates, for we were both given (laughter)-but, I think, gentlemen, you will the Doctorate of Laws by the University of agree with me in wishing him a higher position Pennsylvania in 1902-(applause)-be as a Cloud applause). I will conclude with the learned Chinese scholar and orator who delivered toast of "The health of the President of the
a most instructive and learned address there, United States, and the prospective President of and I-just on general principles-(" Oh the United States and prosperity to Amerios." laughter). Now we, as I say, were graduates. It ? I assure you that China and America always is a great pleasure to know that Dr. Wu i
have had the most friendly relatious, and it is going back to America. Within my own my duty when I get there to continue to have personal experience, China has been at great those friendly relations cemented and strength advantage in her representatives at Washington ened and brought closer from day to day--(applaus). Dr. Wa who was there for six (loud applause).
I am
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the health of Mr. Taft said:-Nothing has given me greater pleasure during my stay in Hongkong than to bring together at a common board representative Chinese of official, professional, and business circles, and the guest of the evening. To you Mr. Taft appeals as a statesman, the elder brother of the Filipino people, the peace-maker of Cuba, the strong band behind the shovel that is to dig the Panama Canal; the wise counsellor in Japanese affaire, the man who has the con. fidence of China, and a possible successor to the God-like Washington and Lincoln, and of Mr. Taft's intimate that multiplied man and world-fi rare-Theodore Rowevelt. These things Mr. Taft's presence suggests to you. To me, this afternoon, these large considerations are lost in the pleasure of being in the company of a most distinguished graduate of my old College, Yale, and a friend of many years' standing. Secretary Taft is known for his inheritance from a remarkable father, his own attainments and exrerience; but these things interest us less to-day than his good sense, his large heart and his sympathy with the nations of the earth. It is these things that make
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[October 14, 1907.
hosts to-day. I am glad to say that mint has disappeared. I think the gentlemen will bear me out in saying that I stated at that time that Fresident Roosevelt had his eyes fixed in ameliorating the hardships, the dimculties and the injustices that were then complained of, but I am informed, though it is not my department, that there has been great improvement in that direction (loud applause).
Since that time the question of Chiness in- demnity has arisen, and America has waived. half of that which had been awarded to her. Now it is said that is only half what sh› ought to have done-I agree. If that ought not to have been awarded to her she ought not to have taken it, but, my dear friends, that nicety of justice in international dealings is not so universal or exceptional as to prevent its being occasion for good feeling between the parties to the transaction. Again, the attention of the Government of Washington had been directed to the fact that the Consular body in Chins was not up to the standard which it ought to have been, and, within the last two or three years, I think you will bear me out in saying that that standard has been raised-(applause)—and that the Consuls who now represent the interests of America in China will certainly by their in- tegrity and intelligence facilitate the continu- ance of those friendly relations between China and the United States which we all so much desire (applause).
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Again, Congress has risen to the fact that, when China placed on us the right to have justice administered under what is called the system of extraterritoriality, it imposed on the United States the burden of seeing that the justice thus administered is of the highest and most lofty sharester and, therefore, Congress has created a United States Circuit Court for China, and it has put a good lawyer and s courageous and honest man at the head of it who will do justice, and equal justice, between the Chinese and Americans who are brought into his Court, that no Chinese merchants and no Chinese coolie, however humble, will feel that in that Court he has the wrong side because an American has any advantage over him as
a litigant (applause). I could go on and talk longer with reference to the relations between China and Americs. All I ought to do this time is to say that no improvement that can take place in China, either in govern mental or administrative reform, in the develop- ment of your resourses, in the elevation of your people, in the education of your olvil servants or anything else that increasee your strength as an Empire can take place without the cordial sympathy and support of the United States-(loud applause).
The speech was translated by Dr. Ho Kai, and shortly afterwards the company-dispersed, Mr. Taft and party proceeding to the Chinese Y.M.C.A. rooms.
THE ADDRESS AT THE CHINESE Y.M.C,A, The large rooms of the Chinese branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, which were prettily decorated for the occasion, were crowded to their utmost capacity at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon when Mr. William H. Taft, accompanied by Mr. A. P. Wilder, arrived.
After a few introductory remarks by the Consul General, Secretary Taft interpreted by Mr. Ng Tin Po, said:
years and who comes, I think, from Canton, and Sir Chentang, who is also, I believe, of Canton, and also a graduate of an American institution, are men who have commended themselves in every "I certainly think Dr. Wilder should have way to those of us Americans who bad the made this speech, for he is a far better pleasure of coming into contact with them speaker than I. However, it seems as though (applause). Somehow or other, Canton seems
the octor bad an exalted opinion of my ability to be something like Ohio in furnishing stafe-- to make speeches, for ever since I landed he men for the guidance of their country's affairs has kept me at it, and I do not know when (laughter and applause). I heard that De Wa he is going to stop. I congratulate you on the was in Peking. I saw a great house that belonged excellent Christian Club you have here. Young to Dr. Wa in Shanghai, and I find him in men need such a Club, and this is especially person in Hongkong, so that he covers the true of the young man who comes to a larze city entire Empire and wherever you meet him it is from his home in the country. Over in England, always a pleasure-(applause). The last time I Young Men's Christian Associations have been was in Hongkong I had the pleasure of being organised in every city of that country, and with a very large party, of whom Miss Roosevelt, they seek to make the Young Men's Christian since Mrs. Longworth, wus one, and it was | Association a Christian Club where men can during that time there was a little bit of mist go and have refreshing amusement and enjoy in the sunshine of friendship that always has themselves as they will, but where at the existed between China and the United States, same time they are entirely separated from and t'ers was what was called a boycott on, vicious parsuits. and Sir Matthew Nathan, anxious to facilitate the good relations between the two countries, invited me to meet some f your distinguished | men in Hongkong. And I had the pleasure of 'meeting Dr. Ho Kai and two others of our
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Now this Amociation has brought to its various centres a good many young men to act as Secretaries to the Association ; and these men are schooled in making these · centres. attractive to the men who will come. They