The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-16
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO GREAT
BRITAIN ENTERTAINED BY
PROMINENT BRITONS
WAS CHEERED TO THE ECHO
FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLAND AND AMERICA MADE
SUBJECT MATTER
TWO GREAT FLEETS COMPARED

to See Them Fighting Side by
Side in the Cause of Commerce
and Civilization-Mr. Choate's
Happy Reference to the Pastime
of Twisting the Lions Tail.
LONDON, March 15.-Joseph Choate,
the United States ambassador, made his
first public appearance In England at the
banquet Of the Association of Chambers
of Commerce Of the United Kingdom this
evening. Mr.. Choate, who, on arriving,
was heartily welcomed by the chairman
and officials of the association, sat in the
place of honor, on the right Of the chair
man.
TWO MIGHTY FLEETS.
Rear Admiral Charles Beresford, who
replied to the toast to the navy declined
to be drawn into a discussion of the Chi
nese situation. He concluded his speech
by saying:
The company Is waiting to hear a dis.
tinguished guest, the new ambassador
Of the United States, whom every man Of
the fore and aft in this county is de-
lighted to see, but I cannot be seated
without saying that I took every oppor-
tunity of seeing the fleet of America in
both the Pacific and Atlantic. I saw u
very excellent fleet. not only in the way
the ships are built, but in respect of gen
eral organization and preparations. I
need not eXtol it's officers and men, They
are of the same blood as ourselves. and
have proved what they could do when
called upon. 1 hope the time will very
shortly come when there will be such an
understanding between the two countries
that II anything occurs disagreeable to
us or affecting our honor or safety the
two fleets will be together That will
make for peace"
Vice President Harper then submitted
the toast of Our Guests" coupled with
the name of Mr.. Choate and Baron Rus
sell, of Killowen. He expressed his keen
pleasure at the advent of Mr.. Choate ''at
time when there is every disposition to
tighten the bonds of the Anglo-Saxon
race, whose only objects are peace, pros
perity, freedom of trade and progress
The tosat was received with loud
cheers, the company standing and shout
ing the name Of Mr.. Choate, who was
thrice cheered
MIR. CHOATE CHEERED.
MIR. Choate, on rising to respond re-
ceived an ovation. The United States
ambassador began jokingly, protesting
that he was overwhelmed with embar-
rassment at being called upon to respond
In priority to the lord chief Justice He
felt that when the British lion was about
to roar even the American eagle should
hold his peace He was delighted, he
said, to receive and accept the invitation
to the banquet, although he was not at
liberty to discuss British commerce. His
general instructions from his government
We're not to discuss politics, or only al
extraordinarily festal occasions. Gaugh.
ter)
After a few words on the question OF
commerce, which he characterized as
truly the mainstay of the British en-
pre- he concluded as follows:
Il have felt, however, that I might
properly avail myself of this first public
occasion to express the appreciation OF
my countrymen for the forbearance
good will and friendship manifested to
them so freely by the British people. II
is true, gentlemen, that peace between
the United States and Great Britain is
the first interest, not only of these two
nations, but of the whole world"
After reference to the omen door an,
the enlarged sphere of influence "vbiol
cordial
the ambassador continued:
Il beg that you will not mistake ~,
meaning. DO not believe that, al
though friends, we shall ever cease +,
be rivals. In the future, as in the mas
we, on our side, and you, on yours. will
still press every advantage that "a,
Iafrly be taken, but it shall be generous
and loyal rivalry and all riyalries an,
disputes arising shall be settled b1
peaceful means, by negotiations, by arbi
tration, by any and every possibl,
means except war;
After pointing out that this was NJ
new sentiment, Mr.. Choate remarked:
While the last conflict between Grea
Britain and America failed to settle an,
of the great questions upon which eithe
side took up arms, showing that betwee]
brethren war is the worst possible
means of settling any controversy-ye
in the eighty-four years that have sine
elapsed, tremendous questions, heated
words, threatening demonstrations
which would undoubtedly have brough
any other two nations into open an,
frequent conflict, have occurred on eth
er side, and have all been arranged an,
adjusted without resort to arms"
LION FAILED TO ROAR.
Referring to the Venezuela imbroelio
he observed:
"You know that on our side of tn
water we love occasionally to twist tn
lions tail for the mere sport of hearin,
him roar. Gaughter.) Well, that tim
he disappointed US. He would not roa
at all. He sat silent as the sphinx and
by dint of mutual forbearance, our sobe
second thought aiding your sober frs
thought, we avoided everything but
war of words"
Abiding to the satisfactory disne1l
ing of the cloud between Russia am
England over the Niu Chwang railwa-
extension loan, by means of peaceful
diplomacy, Mr.. Choate said:
THAT is the kind Of diplomacy whic1
I, just entering upon a diplomatic ca
reer, desire very much to understand
for am fresh enough to believe tina
4 frryo IL