The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-16

lie appearance In England at the ban
quet OF the Association OF Chambers OF
Commerce Of the United Kingdom.
which was held at the Metropoie hotel
last evening.
There was "A brilliant and distinguished
gathering. about $50 persons having
been invited to meet the ambassador. in
cluding the lord chief Justice OF Eng
land, Baron Russell OF Killowen: Hon.
Sir Henry Stafford Northcote the pres
ident of the association; the prime min
lister, the Marquis of Salisbury; the Earl
of Jersey, the Earl OF Dartmouth. Lord
Reay Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beres-
ford, the president of the board OF trade:
the Rt. Hone T. Ritchie, Mr.. James r.
Carter, second secretary Of the United
States embassy, and many members OF
parliament.
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.
Rear Admiral Beresford who replied
TO the toast to the navy, declined TO be
drawn into discussion of the Chinese
situation. He concluded his speech by
saying:
The company Is waiting to hear a
distinguished guest. the new ambassador
OF the United States. whom every man
OF the fore and aft in this country is
delighted to see. but l cannot be seated
without saying that / took every op-
portunity TO see the fleet OF America in
both the Pacific and Atlantic. ! saw
very excellent fleet. not only i'm the way
the ships are built, but in respect to
general organization and preparedness
Il 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. j hope the time will
very shortly come when there will be
such an understanding between the two
countries that IL anything occurs dis
agreeable To us, or affecting our honor
and safety, those two fleets will be to-
gether. That will make for peace"
Vice President Harper then 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, free
dom of trade and progress"
The toast was received with loud
cheers, the company standing and shout
ing the name of Mr.. Choate. who was
thrice cheered.
Mr. Choate. on arising to respond, re-
ceived an ovation
The United States ambassador began
tokingly, protesting that he was over
whelmed 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
accept the invitation TO the banquet. al
though he was not al liberty TO discuss
british commerce. His general instruc-
tions from his government were not 10
discuss politics. or only at extraord-
inarily festal occasions After a few
words on the subject Of commerce, which
he characterized as truly the "mainstay
OF the British empire" he continued as
follows:
Il have felt. however that / 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 1t is
true that peace between the United
States and Great Britain is the first in
terest not 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 since his ar
rival in England Mr.. Choate said:
Everywhere i have been treated as a
friend and as the representative OF your
friends and brothers. In fact, | have
actually discovered the open door. open
10 such an extent as would satisfy even
the yearnings of the rear admiral who
had made the circle OF the globe in search
of It, / think may say, as a testimony
to the good feeling sought TO be encour-
aged on our side of the water, that the
president gave the best Illustration OF
II when he said, in my letter OF credence,
that he relied with confidence upon my
constant endeavor during my stay In
Great Britain TO promote the interest
and prosperity OF both nations"
After another reference to the open
door and the enlarged sphere OF i'm
fluence which a cordial brotherhood has
opened up" the ambassador continued: /:
Il beg that you will not mistake my
meaning 90 not believe that. although
friends, we shall ever cease TO be rivals
In the future as In the past, we on eui
side and you on yours will still press
every advantage that can be fairly
taken. but II shall be generous and
loyal rivalry and all questions. disputes
and controversies arising shall he settled
by peaceful means. by negotiations. by
arbitration. by any and every possible
means except war"
Ar,er pointing out that this was new
sentiment. Nj. Choate remarked: :
while the last great conflict between