H.R. LIT, Prince Purachatra of that the Siamese Government would Kambacng-beira, brother of the|continue to give them good. treat-
Xing "of Siam'
Gommanications in the Siamese and Minne of ment a Thanking bad done into ast his hosts Government, was entertained at the Majestic Ballroom on October 1d by Mr. Lee Yuk-tong, president of the Bank of Canton, and Mr.
K. Cheung, general manager of the Shanghai office.
There was a large gathering pre-gent, representing leading offici dom and commercial and banking Interests, those present including Gen, Liu Chi-wen, Superintendent Of Customs: Dr. Hsu Wei-tsun, president of the Second Branch of the Kiangsu Provincial High Court: Mr. 8, K. Chen, director of the Shanghai office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Mr. Y. F. Liew, associate director of the department: Mr. Loy Chang, of the Ministry of Finance: Mr. Vu ching, managing director of the Sar wonderful reception and all present ror for the honour they conferred upon him by attending the function, His Royal Highness said:— have come to China purely as a private citizen of my own country, nob as a politician, not in my. princely rank, or as a'Blinister of State, to pay'a friendly visit to the: people of China, to see things China for myself, I am deeply. touched by your welcome. Had I come asa member of the Royal Family or as a Minister of State, should not be able to get among' you or to know the real sentiments fof your people. I have come in a spirit of true friendship for I am sure that a great deal can come of true friendship and true understanding between the people without thinking of rank.
Mr, Wen Tsung-yao, former Minister of Foreign Affairs: and Messrs. Loo King-kee, Hu Meng-chia, Koo Shing-yi, J. Gock Lock, Mr. "Wong. Chee, Wu. Gockson, Pan Chi Poo, Chen Woon-chi, Chun Shut-k Yang Moi-nan, Chen Yih-chow, Mr. P. 8, Tong, Mr. F. T. Young, Mr. Fung-Chicsiu and other Mr, Lee Yuk-tong, presiding, said that he had taken the opportunity jit to invite his official, merchant and banking friends to a little party and those attending represented the most eminent members of the community, There were several million Chinese in Siam, all of whom were treated on a basis of equality and justice. "The Chinese all appreciated this cipal products rice and_ timber, which was consumed in China the extent of several tens of mill-fons of dollars annually. The purpose of the Prince in making a visit to China was to study trade con: tions and th speaker was sure that his efforts would result in suc ce and in prosperity which would be mutually beneficial to both the people of both countries, Mr, Loo King-kee than read an address of welcome in the course of which he mentioned that the Chin-people were glad to receive his Royal Highness, whose efforts Lohalf of the' Chinese people in Siam wore greatly appreciated, The Bank of Canton had a branch in Siam and there, under benevolent rralo, business was carried on peace fully and happily. A spirit of friendship existed between the People of Siam and the people of China and he hoped that this: would Tong continue, Mr, Wang Hsiao-lan having spoken on thy history of Sino-Siamese relations Gen, Liu Chi-wen vid that China was unable to show Prince Purachatra very much because she was undergoing a period of revolution and transition, after which would come the reconstruction stage. She really had had little time to do much in the Past. Siam, he said, was one of the most progressive countries in the Far East, apart feom Japan, and China could well follow Siam's example, 'Owing to the fact that China had Yernained stagnant during the Ching' dynasty little or no progress had been made and what progress had been made was very. slow indeed. China, therefore, could be described '4s being still in her infancy. Gen. Liu expressed the hope that there would be more ce-operation between the two countries and that trade would continue to prosper. This, he Said, would result in beneficial results not only for the two countries, concernned but for the whole Asian continent, Gen. Liu hoped the Prince would ook at things in China with a critical eye and tell the Chinese where they were lacking. Friendly' elficism would always be welcome. If there were anything in China Which might be introduced in Siam, "he hoped the Prince would try to Introduce it into his own country. As China had so many. citizens in Siam, Gen, Liu concluded by hoping, "I feel that, from trade and commerce, there will spring a true friendship such as cannot be obtained through government—or diplomatic channels. Therefore, I have come as one of you, asa private citizen, to make a general study. T hope that you will tell me your wishes, your inclinations and your interests for, by so doing, you Will be doing a great deal towards reaching a mutual and beneficial me that, the opportunities given me to meet all ranks of officials and commercial Teaders have not been in vain, deeply appreciate them in the full and I wish to take this opportunity of thanking all of you who have helped to make my stay a happy and pleasant one."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.