The age-herald., 1899-03-16
4 WELCOME ID JOSEPH CHOATE The New Ambassador Rendered
 a Banquet WORDS OF BROTHERLY LOVE Speakers Vie Witt oh Other in ThrowiGSqf ,quets.
 -$s- REAR ADMIRsS JRD BEREsFoRD
 Sg
 SsS Paid a S Tribute to American
 
 Sh.ps and Sailors.
CHoATE's ELOQUENT EFFORT
Did Not "Gush" Over Great Britain, But Portrayed the Feeling of Broth- erhood Between the Citizens of
 the Two Great Nations.

London, March 15.-Joseph H. Choate. the United States ambassador to the court of St. James, made his first public appear ance in England at the banquet of the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, which was held at the Metropole hotel this evening. There was brilliant and distinguished gathering, about 250 persons having been invited to meet the ambassador, including the Mar quis of Salisbury and many members of parliament.
 MT. Choate was heartily welcomed by the chairman and officials of the association and sat in the place of honor
 Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, who replied to the toast to the navy, de- cllned to be drawn into a discussion of the Chinese situation. He concluded his speech by saying:
 ''The company is waiting to hear a dis tingushed guest, the new ambassador Of the United States, whom every man in the fore and aft in this country is delighted to see; but l cannot be seated without say ing that took every opportunity to sec the fleet of America in both the Pacific and tho Atlantic. I saw very excellent fleet, not only in the way the ships are built, but in respect of general organization and pre- paredness.
 Of the Same Blood
 1T 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 occurs disagreeable to us or affecting our honor and safety these two fleets will be together. That will make for peace"
 srIh toast of "Our Guests,'' coupled with the names of MT. Choate and Baron Russell of Killowen. He expressed his keen pleasure at the advent of Mir. Choate at 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 MT. Choate, who was thrice cheered.
 MT. Choate, on rising to respond, received an ovation.
 After few words on commerce which he characterized as truly the mainstay of the British empire," he concluded as fol- lows:
 Appreciation of Good win
 1T have felt, however. that might prop erly avail myself of this first public occa- sion to express the appreciation Of my countrymen for the forbearance, good VIII and fellowship manifested to them so free- ly by the British people. It Is true, gem tlemen, that peace between the United States and Great Britain is the first inter- est. not only of these two nations, but Of the whole world"
 In expressing his gratitude for the cor dial greeting he had received from all sorts and conditions of men since ms arrlVai in England, MT. Choate said:
 ''Eyerywhere I have been l have been treated as a friend and as representeflve of your friends and brothers. In fact l have actually discovered the open door, open to such an extent as would satify even the yearnings of the rear admiral who has made the circle of tho 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 when he said In my letter of credence, that he relied with confidence upon my constant endeavor dur ing my stay in Great Britain to work Tor the interest of both nations" (Applause)
 Reference to the Open Door
 After another reference to the open door and the enlarged sphere of influence which a cordial brotherhood has opened up, the ambassador continued:
 "I beg that you will not mistake my meaning. do not believe that, aitnougn friends we shall ever cease to be rivals. Tn inc future. as In the past, we on our side and you upon yours will still press every advantage that can be fairly taken; but It shall be generous and loyal rivalry and all questions, disputes and controversies aris- ing shall be settled by peaceful means py negotiations, by arbitration. by any and ev- cry possible means except war;"
 After pointing out that this was no new sentiment, MT. Choate remarked:
 'While the last conflict between Great Britain and America failed to settle any of the great questions upon which either side took up arms-showing that between brethren was the poorest possible means of settling any coutroversy-yet in the eighty- four years that have since elapsed tremen- dous questions, heated words. threatening demonstrations, which would inevitapiy