Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-16
CHEERS FOR CH0ATE.
And Three Times Three for
the Lion and Eagle.
Ambassador Choate Makes Great Hit
at Banquet at London.
Aids Materially in Cementing Coed Feeling
Between the Two Countries.

('hoate. the United States ambassador
10 the court of st. James, made his
first public appearance in England at
the banquet of the Association OF
Chambers of Commerce of the United
Kingdom, which was held at the Me-
tropolis hotel this morning. About
$50 persons were invited to meet the
ambassador. including the Lord Chief
Justice of England, Baron Russell OF
Halloween. Association, the prime
minister, the Marquis of Salisbury. the
Earl of Jersey. Rear Admiral Lord
Chas. Beresford the President of the
Board of Trade. the Rt. Hon. c. L.
Richie and many members of Parlia-
ment.
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
chairman, Sir Henry Stafford North
cote, who took him in to dinner. the
band playing Hail Columbia" Mr..
Joseph H. Choate. Jr. was present.
Later, Mr. Choate replied to the toast
Of "Our Guests"
Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beres-
ford, who replied to the toast to the
navy, declined to be drawn into dis
cussiOn of the Chinese situation. He
concluded his speech by saying: The
company is waiting to hear distin-
guished guest. the new ambassador OF
the United States whom every man OF
the Fore and Aft In this country is de-
lighted to see: but cannot be seated
without saying that ] took every OPP
Dortunity TO see the fleet Of America in
both the Pacific and Atlantic. l saw
a very excellent fleet. not only in the
way the ships are built but in respect
of general organization and prepared
ness.
Il need not extOl it's officers and men.
They are OF the same blood as our
selves and have proved what they
could do when called upon. ! hope the
time will very shortly come when there
will be such an understanding between
the two countries that if anything &C.
ours disagreeable to US or effecting our
honor and safety, those two fleets will
be together. That will make for peace"
Vive President Harper submitted the
toast of Our Guests" coupled with
the names of Mr.. Choate and Baron
Russell of Killowen. He expressed his
keen pleasure at the advent of Mr..
Choate at "a time when there is every
disposition to tighten the bonds of the
Anglo Saxon race. whose only objects
are peace. prosperity freedom of trade
and progress" The toast was received
with loud cheers. the company stand
ing and shouting the name of Mr..
Choate. who was thrice cheered.
Mr. Choate, on rising to respond, re-
II hon in1y r1x-
protesting that he was overwhelmed
with embarrassment 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 accent the invitation to the BAN
quet, although he was not at liberty to
discuss politics or only at extraordi-
narily festal occasions. haughter).
After few words on the subject of
commerce. which he characterized as
truly the 'mainstay of the British en-
pire" he continued as follows:
Il have left. however. that / might
properly avail myself of this first pub
lie occasion to express the appreciation
of my countrymen for the forbearance.
good will and friendship manifested to
them so freely by the British people
1t Is true. gentlemen. that peace be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain is the first interest only OF
those two nations but of the whole
world"
In expressing his gratitude for the
cordial greeting he had received from
all sorts and conditions of men sine,
his arrival in England Mr.. Choate said
Everywhere l have been treated a.
friend and as the representative @
your friends and brothers. In fact,
have actually discovered the open door
open to such an extent as would salts
fly even the warnings of the rear ad
miral who had made the circle of tn
globe in search of it. | think | ma
say as a testimony to the good feelin
sought to be encouraged on our side q
the water. that the President gave tn
best illustration of it when he said i
my letter of credence that he relic
with confidence upon my constant en-
deavor during my stay in Great Brit
ain to promote the interest and pros
perity of both nations" CHEERS an
cries of "Bravo").
After another reference to the ope
door and the enlarged sphere of in
ftuence which a cordial brotherhood
had opened up the ambassador cor
tinued:
Il beg that you will not mistake M
meaning. / do not believe. that. a
though friends. we shall ever cease
ne rivals In the future as in the pas
we on our side and you on yours wi
sun press every advantage that ca
De fairly taken. but it shall be a ger
erous and loyal rivalry and all que:
uons. disputes and controversies ari
ing shall be settled by peaceful mean
by negotiations. by arbitration. by a
ana every possible means except war
After pointing out that this was
new sentiment. Mr. Choate remarke,
While the last great conflict betwe,
Great Britain and America failed
settle any of the great questions nm,
whlch either side took UP arms-sfoy
ing tnat between brethren war is II
worst possible means of settling n,
controVersy-yet in the 81 years, III
nave since elapsed, what trenendo
questions. heated words. threateoi,
demonstrations which would inevitah
nave brought any other two natio
INTO open and frequent conflict hs
occurred on either side apa ~, 49,,