The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-11-13

war-A Damper on the War Fever.
London November 9.-The lord may
or's show was witnessed today by large
crowds. 1t consisted of the usual gilt
and ermine features. The procession
moved on through admiring throngs
to the law courts, where the ancient
ceremony of taking the oath was car
ried out. The new and the old lord may
ors were heartily cheered. There were
no embIamaticaI cars but there were
mounted men clad in British uniforms
in use from 1900 to 1870. model of
the gun of the British cruiser Power
full used at the siege of Ladysmith was
much cheered, as were also mounted
men representing India, Canada, Aus
tralasia and South Africa.
What is probably the most brilliant
of all public functions in England, the
lord mayors banquet, took place this
evening. 1t will be memorable even to
Americans by reason of the following
remarkable utterance of Lord Sails
bury, who, in the presence of 900 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 election:
I'VE believe that the cause which
has won is the cause of civilization and
commercial honor. We believe those
principles to be at the root OF all pros
perity and all progress in the world.
Therefore, we claim we have as much
right to rejoice in what has taken place
ha 1ictin gentleman (rafer-
ring to Mr. Choate) who sits at my
side"
This was followed by loud and pro-
Ionged cheering which made the gold
plate on the oaken shelves shiver and
the great rafters of the Guild Hall ring
and ring again.
Lord Salisbury's incursion into the
internal politics of the United States
was preceded by an apology, in the
course of which he said:
''One of the circumstances which has
gratified me most during the last year
is the very hearty friendly feeling dis
played between this country and the
United States. 1 hope Mr.. Choate will
forgive me, if there is any irregularity
in my expression. 1t is quite wrong
for a secretary of state to make any
observations with respect to the inter-
nal politics of another country, but
am soon to give up my office and, In
view of this abandonment which is
close at hand, l hope Mr.. Choate Will
forgive me for expressing the supreme
satisfaction 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 election
and that he (Mr. Choate) would not
attempt to add to it, although he would
venture to congratulate the noble lord
upon the fact that his remarks had
been made after instead of before the
election QaughteD.
Except in it's references to the United
States, the speech of the premier cast
an extraordinary gloom over the gor-
geOuS banquet. Following directly af-
ter 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 a change of attitude on the
part of the outside world when view
ing English character. Then with low
cred voice and almost, trembling ac-
cent he went on to speak of the price
of the victory and the ravages Of death,
dealing especially with the queens be-
reaVement in the loss of Prince Chris
tian Victor Finally, with bent head
and hands clasped he uttered hope,
almost a prayer, that Lord Roberts
might be spared the sorrow now hang
ing over him by reason of the critical
condition of his daughter. Tears Sprang
to the eyes of women, and men moved
uncomfortably in their seats. The
silence and solemnity grew oppressive.
Awaking from self abstraction, the
premier reviewed the events OF the
last twelve months. Mr.. Kruger and
the empress of China, he went on to
say, had forced war upon Great Brit
ain. He maintained that the British
war office, deserved great credit for
the way in which it had handled these
emergencies.
Despite nebuIous and fictitious at
tacks. we should be glad to improve all
the defects of the war Office" he con-
tinued, ''and our utmost efforts will
be devoted to that task; but 1 should
rather deprecate any unnecessary ex-
animation into what has occurred.
You will not add to the enthusiasm of
your troops by so doing"
He dilated upon the strengthened
ties between the mother country and
the colonies during the year and poked
fun at the delay consequent upon the
European concert when dealing with
China. 1t was not appropriate FOR
him, he declared, to comment upon ne
gotiations while in progress. but he said
he would make an exception in the
case of the Anglo German compact
This" he remarked represents the
feelings of most, if not all, the powers
allied 1t is impossible to lay too much
emphasis upon the integrity of China
and the open door: and / think it a
matter of agreat advantage that the
powers should have expressed them
selves in favor of these fundamental
principles, for. if they are achieved. the
issue of the China problem need not
concern us very anxiously."
He maintained earnestly that the
idea of invading China with "our scan
ty force" or of approaching the stu
pendous task of governing China in