The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-16
WELCOME TO OUR
AMBASSADOR
First Public Appearance at a
Banquet.
A BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE
REAR ADMIRAL BERESFORDS
COMPLEMENTARY WORDS.
Mr.. CH0ATE RECEIVES AN OVATION
In Response he Said he was Glad OF 0ppoIiunty
Of Expressing Our Appreciation of
the friendship of Great
Rritain.
Britain.

OTltalns
London, March 1J.-.Toseph Ii. Choate,
the United States Ambassador to the
Court of st. James, made his first pub
lie appearance in England at the ban
quet Of the Association of Chambers of
Commerce of the United Kingdom.
which was held ut the Metropole Hotel.
this evenings There was brilliant and
distinguished gathering. about 250 per-
sons having been invited TO meet the
Ambassadors, including the Lord Chief
Justice of England, Baron Russell of
Killowen: the Honorable Sir Henry
Stafford Northcole the President of the
Association: the Prime Minister, the
Marquis of Salisbury: the Earl of Jer-
sey, the Earl of Dartmouth, Lord Reay.
Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford.
the Right Honorable G. II. Ritchie.
President of the Board of Trade; James
II. Carter. second Secretary of the
United States Embassy and many mem
hers 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
chairman.
T. Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresf0rd
who replied TO the toast of the navy, de-
clined to be drawn into discussion of
the Chinese situation He concluded his
speech by saying:
The company is waiting to hear Il
distinguished guest, the new 4Ambassa
dor of the United States, whom every
man of the fore and aft in this country
is delighted to sec. but / cannot he seat
ed without saying that | took every OPP
portunity to see the fleet of America in
both the Pacific and Atlantic. | saw u
very excellent fleet. not only in the way
the ships are built. but in respect of gen
cral organization and preparedness.
Il reed 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 IN understanding between the two
countries that if anything occurs dis
agreeable to us or affecting our honor
and safety, these 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 Rus
sell of Killowen. He expressed his keen
pleasure ut the advent of Mr.. Choate af
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 prog
ress."
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 rising TO respond. re-
ceived an ovation.
The United States Ambassador began
jokingly. protesting that he was over
whelmed with embarrassment at being
called upon TO respond i'll 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 re-
ceive and accept the invitation to the
banquet. although he was NOT at liberty
TO discuss British commerce. His gen
eral instructions from his Government
were not TO discuss politics, only at ez-
traordinary festal occasions. CLaughs
teri
Il have felt, however, that | might
properly avail MYSELF Of this first pub
| lie occasion TO express the appreciation
of my countrymen for the forebcarancc,
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. not only of these 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
| arrival in England, Mr.. Cnoate said:
| Everywhere have been treated as Il
| friend. and as the representative of your
| friends and brothers. In fact. L have
| actually discovered the open door open
10 such an extent as would satisfy even
the warnings of the Rear Admiral who
| has made the circle of the globe III search
Of it, ] think | may say, as testimony
to the good feeling sought TO be en-
couraged on our side of the water that
| the President gave the best illustration
| Of it, when he said in my letter OF cred
ence. that he relied with confidence upon
my constant endeavor during my stay
in Great Britain to promote the interest
and prosperity of both nations.
| CHEERS and cries Of Bravo.
Abiding to the satisfactory dispelling
| Of the cloud between Russia and Eng
land over the Niu Chwang Railway ex-
tension loan by means of peaceful dl-
plomacy." Mr.. Choatc said:
That is the kind of diplomacy Whch
|. just entering upon Il diplomatic career.
desire very much to understand, 1of
am fresh enough to believe that if these
two countries, laboring together for
peace. unite their voices in demanding it.
it is almost sure in every case. OCheers.)
would like to quote my President again;
for the last words / heard HIM say were
that the United States to-day was on
better terms with every nation on the
Iface of the earth than it had ever been
before. tChecrs.)"
After paying eloquent tributes to the
late Baron Herschell, and to Rndyard
Kipling, Mr.. Choate concluded as Iol-
lows: