Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-21
WELCOMED TO ENGLAND
Cordial Greeting Given to the American
Ambassador.
Col. Hay Expresses His Belief iu the
Feelings Between the Countries.

SOUTHAMPTON. England, April 21-
When the American Line steamer st. Paui,
from New York, April II, reached her dock
at 12;;0 today Henry White, the secretary
of the United States embassy; J. II. Car
ter, second secretary of the embassy; the
mayor of Southampton and the corporation
of this city boarded that ship and were in
troduced to Col. John Hay. the United
States ambassador to the court of ST.
James, by the United States consul here,
Warner S. Kinkead.
There were large crowds of people on the
dock in anticipation of the arrival of the
American ambassador A special space
was reserved for the municipal author
tiles, who wore their full official garb
Among those present was Mr.. Henry
James.
AS the St. Paul neared her dock Col. Hay,
his wife end daughter waved their hands
in reply to welcomes from the shore, and
SO soon as the gangway was shipped the
municipal authorities marched In process
sion to the saloon of the steamer, where
the mayor heartily welcomed the ambassa-
dor and presented him with photograph
OF a painting representing the departure OF
the May1ower. The mayor, in part, SAID:
ALLOW me to offer you, in behalf OF my
fellow townsmen and countrymen, hearty
and cordial welcome to these shores. In"
responsible position you hold as aMhassa-
time of a momentous complex kitty OF rela-
tions between the two countries, your 10y
atty to American citizenship and cordial
goodwill to dear old England eminently hts
you for such a high. distinguished position.
Your diplomatic career is well known to
us, and the personality you exerted at the
various posts you have occupied assures
us that we shall find in you man who viii
cement closer than ever the affectionatc re-
gard of the two countries.
President Harper of the Southampton
chamber of commerce also welcomed Col.
Hay. The latter, in reply, said:
II cannot say how deeply l am gratifiei
at your most kind and unmeTited compli-
ments. 1 am unknown to you, and regard
it. as friendly greeting to the country l
represent. come to work for the welfare
of my country. and it is my profound con-
viction that this can best be served by
promoting a cordial feeling between both
countries"
The St. Paul would have beaten all rec
ords eastward between New York and
Southampton had she not been forced to
head $50 miles due south in order to avoid
icebergs. She passed the Needles at Jo:J,
am. today.
The mayor also remarked: Near this
spot, three hundred years ago, the May
flower sailed for the new world. If any
thing was needed to assure us of your
country's affection for our beloved queen,
your own words, written when you had no
thought Of occupying your present position,
would suffice
The mayor then quoted part of Col Hays
"Once More, Hail England"
The photograph representing the depart
ure of the Mayfower was presented TO
Col. Hay by President Harper, who also
presented the ambassador with an illumi-
mated address.
Col. Hays reply was brief and dignified.
He began by saying that not one of his
predecessors could possibly have a more
kindly feeling for England than himself.
At the conclusion of his reply the officials
of Southampton and others were presented
to Mrs. Hay.
Col. Hay informed a representative of
the Associated Press that he was delighted
and touched at the greeting he had re-
ceived, adding:
Il look forward to a pleasant stay in
England. i cannot discuss my instructions
or touch upon political questions"
special car was provided by the rail-
road company to take Col. Hay and his
party to London.