The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-03-16
AMBASSADOR CHOATE SPEAKS
AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
 BANQUET IN LONDON.

Received a Great Ovation Upon Rising
 and Was Repeatedly Cheered During
 His Address He Had Been In.
 structed by the President Not to Dis.
 cuss Politics Except at Postal Occasion,
 London, March 15.-During the
 Chamber of Commerce banquet to-day
 Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford
 who replied to the toast to the navy
 declined to be drawn into discussion
 of the Chinese situation. He conclud-
 ed his speech by saying:
 'The company is waiting to hear the
 distinguished guest, the new ambassa- dor of the United States, whom every man in the fore and aft in this count try is delighted to see; but I cannot be seated without saying that I took every opportunity to see the fleet of America in both the Pacific and Atlan- tic. I saw. very excellent fleet in general organization and preparedness.
 II 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. I hope the time will very shortly come when there will be such an understanding between the two countries that, if any occur rences disagreeable to us. or affecting our honor and saftey arises, those two fleets will be together"
 Vice President Harper then submit ted the toast of Our Guests" coupled the names of MT Choate and Baron Russell of Killowen. He expressed his keen pleasure at the advent of MT. Choate at a time when there is every disposition to tighten the bonds of the Anglo-Saxin 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 Mir. Choate, who was thrice cheered.
 Mr. Choate on rising to respond, re- ceived an ovation
 He began jokingly, protesting that he was overwhelmed with embarrass- nenta at being called upon to respond AA pllOllLy IO tIlS lOlQ ClliCl JuoblSCs 1lC felt that when the British lion was about to roar even the American eagle should hold his peace. He was de- lighted, he said, to receive and accept the invitation to the banquet, although he was not at liberty to discuss Brit ish commerce. His general instructions from his government were not to dis cuss politics, or only at extraordinari- ly festal occasions 0aughter). After few words on the subject of commerce, which he characterized as truly the ''mainstay of the British empire" he continued as follows:
 T have felt. however, that I might properly avail myself of this first pub lie occasion to express the apprecia- tion of my countrymen for the forbear- ance, good will and friendship n1ani- Tested to them freely by the British people. It is true, gentlemen, that peace between the United States and Great Britain is the first interest 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
 
 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 to such an extent as would satis- fly even the yearnings of the rear ad- miral, who had made the circle of the globe in search of it. I think I 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 Brit ain to promote the interest and pros- perlty of both nations" Cheers and | cries of "Bravo."O
 After another reference to the open | door and the enlarged sphere of in- f1uence which a cordial brotherhood | has opened up" the ambassador con- | tinued:
 T beg that you will not mistake my ! meaning I do not believe that, al- | though friends, we shall never 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 can be taken, but it shall be generous, and all questions, disputes and controversies arising shall be settled by peaceful means-by negotiation, by arbitration, by any and every possible means except war"
 After pointing out that this was no new sentiment MT. Choate remarked: ''While the last great conflict between Great Britain and America failed to settle any of the great questions upon which either side took up arms, show ng that between brethren war is the worst possible means of settling any yet in the eghty-four years that have since elapsed what ere nendous questions, heated words, demonstrations, which would inevitably have brought any oth- sr two nations into open and frequent Conflict, have occurred on either side md all been arranged and adjusted without resort to arms" Referring to the Venezuelan imbroglio le observed: You know that on our { tide of the water we love occasionally ] 0 twist the lions tail for the mere sport if hearing him roar. Laughter.) Well, { hat. time he disappointed us. He would not roar at all. He sat silent {