President McKinley last Saturday received the new Chinese Minister, Wu Ting-fang. The ceremonies were very formal. Wu Ting-fang, accompanied by three secretaries and the retiring Minister, drove to the White House with Secretary of State Sherman and Assistant Secretary Rockhill. Yang Vu, the retiring Minister, presented his letter of recall. His remarks, aside from the usual formal thanks and expressions, were as follows 'tT will always be a matter of deep gratification to me to recall the fact that the treatment of all questions affecting the mutual interests of the two nations has been characterised with fairness and justice to the credit of both parties concerned. To the deep sense of the justice and friendliness of your government I feel special gratitude for the consummation of the immigration treaty, as a result of which my fellow countrymen sojourning in this land are enjoying peace and happiness in the pursuit of their various occupations.
"Tt is my sincere hope that the hitherto most friendly relations between the two governments shall always be maintained and, as I say farewell, T pray that you may your rule over this great Republic may be Jong enjoy health and happiness and that characterised by prosperity and peace.
"To him Mr. MeKinley replied' with very cordial expressions of regret, adding and, Iam glad to add, mutually beneficial "Whilst regretting that these pleasant, relations are thus brought to an end, the memory of the good work you have done toward improving and strengthening the ties of friendship and intercourse between the two countries will remain no less strongly impresed in our minds than are your own recollections of your sojourn and your own appreciation of the firm good will which this government and people bear to your great land and your countrymen. I ask that you will assure your Sovereign of this sentiment and of the earnest wishes here entertained that personal felicity and national advancement moy long attend his rule."
The new Minister, Wu Ting-fang, then formally presented his credentials. His speech to the President and Mr. McKinley's reply were expressions of cordial good will and esteem and of hope that the friendly relations between the two nations represented would be further cemented.
New York, 4th May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.