The record-union., 1899-03-16
AMBASSADOR
JOSEPH \. CHOATE
Makes His First Appearance in
England at a Banquet.
Was the Guest Of Honor Of the Associated
Chambers Of Commerce.

| wan AucTS VI AppAdusC,
Lord Russell, the Chief Justice
of England, Personally Congrat-
u1ating Him.
| LONDON, March 15 Joseph Fl
Choate, the United States ambassador,
made his first public appearance III
England at the. banquet of the Associa-
ton of Chambers of Commerce of the
United Kingdom which was held at the
Metropole Hotel this evening. There
was a brilliant and distinguished gath
erfng. about 25O persons having been
invited TO meet the ambassador, in
Guiding the Lord Chief Justice of Eng
land, Baron Russell of Killowen, the
Hon. Sir Henry Stafford Northcote,
President of the Association; the Prime
Minister, the Marquis of Salisbury; the
Earl of Jersey, the Earl of Dartmouth,
Lord Reay, Rear Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford, the Right Hon. c. T. Ritchie,
President Of the Board of Trade; James
r. Carter, Secretary of the United
States Embassy, and many members
of Parliament.
u
lily, sat in the place of honor, on the
right of the Chairman
Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford
who replied to the toast to the navy,
declined to be drawn into a discussion
of the Chinese situation. He concluded
his speech by saying:
The company is waiting to hear a
distinguished guest, the new Embassa-
dor of the United States, whom every
man of the fore and aft in this country
is delighted to see. but I cannot be
seated without saying that I took every
opportunity to see the fleet of America
ini both the Pacific and Atlantic. l saw
a very excellent fleet, not only in .he
way the ships are built, but in respect
of general organization and prepared
ness. l need not extol its officers and
men. They are of the same blood as
ourselves, and have proved what they
could do when called upon. I hope the
time will very shortly come when there
will be such an understanding between
the two countries that If anything oe-
ours disagreeable to US or affecting our
honor and safety, these two fleets will
be together That will make for peace. I"
Vice President Harper then submit
ted the toast of Our Guests coupled
with the names of Mr.. Choate and
Baron Russell of Killowen. He ex-
pressed his 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 standing and
shouting the name of Mr.. Choate, who
was thrice cheered.
Mr. Choate, on rising to respond, re-
ceived an ovation. The United States
ambassador began jokingly, protest.
ing that he was overwhelmed with en-
barrassment 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 Ameri-
can 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 dis
cuss British commerce. His general in
structions from his Government were
not to discuss politics, or only at eX-
traordinary festal occasions. Iaugh-
ter.}
After a few words on the subject of
commerce, which he characterized as
truly "the mainstay of the British En-
pire." he concluded as follows: ID
Il have felt, however. that I might
properly avail myself of this first pub
lio occasion to express the appreciation
of my countrymen for the forbearance,
good will and friendship manifested to
them freely by the British people. 1t
is true, gentlemen, that peace between
the United States and Great Britain
is the first interest of not only .hese
two nations, but of the whole world
In expressing his gratitude for the
cordial greetings he had received from
all sorts and conditions of men since
his arrival in England, Mr.. Choate
said: Everywhere 1 have been treat
ed as a friend and as the representative
of your friends and brothers. In fact,
I have actually discovered the open
door. open to such an extent as would
satisfy even the yearnings of the Rear
Admiral who has made the circle of the
globe in search of it. I think / may
say. as a testimony to the good feeling
sought to be encouraged on our side
of the water, that the President gave
the best illustration of it when he said
in my letter of credence that he relied
with confidence upon my constant en-
deavor during my stay in Great Britain
to promote the interest and prosperity
of both nations" Cheers and cries Of
"bravo.")
After another reference to the open
door and the enlarged sphere of in
f,uence which a cordial brotherhood has
opened up the ambassador continued:
'I beg that you will not mistake my
meaning 1 do not believe that, al
though friends, we shall ever cease to
be rivals. In the future, as in the
past, we on our side and you on yours,
will still press every advantage that
eau fairly be taken; but it shall be
generous and loyal rivalry, and all
questions, disputes and controversies
arising shall be settled by peaceful
means; by negotiations, by arbitra-
tion, by any and every possible means
except war"
After pointing out that this was no
new sentiment, Mr.. Choate remarked:
while the last conflict between Great
Britain and America failed to settle any
OF the great questions upon which
feither side took up arms, showing that
between brethren war is the worst pos