, 1900-11-15
BRITISH PREMIER'S SPEECH
AT LORD MAYORS BANQUET

London, Nov. 10.-What is probably
the most brilliant of all functions in
England-the lord mayors banquet
took place last evening. 1t VIII be
memorable. even to Americans, by rea-
son of the following remarkable utter
ance of Lord Salisbury, who, in the
presence of 800 guests, including
United States Ambassador Choate, the
members of the British Cabinet and
many of the leading men of England,
spoke as follows of the American cleo
ton:
I'VE believe that the cause which
has won is the cause of civilization
and commercial honor. We believe
these principles to be at the root of all
prosperity and all progress in he
world. Therefore W. claim that we
have as much right to rejoice in what
has taken place as the distinguished
gentleman referring to Minister
Choate1 who sits at my side"
This declaration by the premier was
followed by loud and prolonged cheer
ing. which made the gold plate on the
oaken shelves shiver II h great
rafters of the Guild hall ring and ring
again.
Lord Salisbury's incursion into the
national politics of the United States
WAS prttttltu ny an ullbloES, III hlt
course of which he said:
"One of the circumstances which
gratifed me most during the past year
has beer the hearty feeling displayed
between this country and the United
States. ] hope Mr.. Choate will for
give me If there is any irregularity in
my expression. 1t is quite wrong for
a secretary of state to make any OBJ
servatiOns with respect to the internal
tional politics of another country, but
l am o to give up my Office and, in
view of this abandonment. which is
close at hand, | hope Mr.. Choate will
forgive me for expressing the supreme
satisfaction with which all of us have
heard of what has recently taken place
in the United States"
Mr.. Choate, replying a few minutes
later to the toast of the diplomatic
corps, declared that Lord Salisbury
had stated with such truth, simplicity
and earnestness the result of the cleo
ton hat he CChoate) would not at
tempt TO add to 1t, although he would
venture to congratulate II noble lord
upon he fact that his remarks had
been made after, instead of before the
election. U.aughter.)
Except in its references to the Unit
ed States, the speech of the premier
cast an extraordinary gloom over the
gorgeous banquet. Following directly
after the colonel commanding the City
Imperial volunteers, Lord Salisbury
startled his hearers, who caught the
drift of his remarks, by satirizing the
war fever, although praising the cour
age Of the soldiers, and declaring that
the passionate admiration of military
valor evinced by the populace must
produce n change of attitude on the
part of the outside world, when view
ing English character.
Then, with lowering voice and al
most trembling accent, he went on to
speak of the price of victory and the
ravagcs of death, dealing especially
with the queens bereavement in the
loss of Prince Christian Victor.
Finally, with bent head and hands
clasped, he uttered Il hope. almost a
prayer, that Lord Roberts might be
spared the sorrow now hanging owe
him by reason of the critical condition
of his daughter. Tears sprang to the
eyes of women, and men moved uncom-
fortably in their seats. The silence and
solemnity grew oppressive.
Awakening from self-abstraction.
the premier reviewed the events of the
last twelve months. Mr.. Kruger and
the Empress of China, he went on to