The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-23
SYMPATH|ZE WITH ENGLAND
AMERICAN-BRITISH LEAGUE CELE-
BRATEs RELIEF OF MAFEkING.
Wilson Hall Packed to Overlooking
With Men and women-Many En-
thusiastic Speeches Are Made

Wilson hall. in the Collins building. was
packed last night by sympathizers with
the British cause In South Africa. and
the enthusiasm with which the speeches
were received did Dot ahate during two
hours. Nearly eigha hundred people were
In the hall when ;L~hn W. Pratt. pres-
dent OF the American British League, call
ed the meeting TO order. and with much
teenng referred to the bereavements which
had comes TO the homes of British friends
and relatives, but he said the direct OBJ
tect of the meeting was to rejoice with
Enghshmen in the old country. in the
colonies and all over the world at the
moral effect OF the relief OF Mafeking.
Richard Winsor delivered an address re-
markable for its clear conception OF the
true causes lying behind the Boer war
He referred to the fact that his grand
father had fought at Waterloo and al
though he was himself now an American
TO the core, he gloried in the traditions
OF the mother country, and saw in it's
grand Magma Charta the foundation stone
of that liberty which had made OF a mon
archical institution the freest government
save one I'm all the world. He reviewed
the struggles for freedom which had dis
unguished Englishmen, and referred with
pride to the glorious colonies which had
been established under the Union Jack and
which afforded the most wonderful ex-
amples OF government instituted by
men far from their native land but unit
ed in spirit though separated by oceans,
and who were struggling to make new
hottest corners of the earth.
Judge Winsor saw in the present move
ment better understanding between the
peoples of the two great ng.ish-speaking
countries. and by their closer unity, OF
more extended liberty under progressive
economic conditions.
Rev. Donald Ross followed in a charac-
teristic address, In which he alluded to the
political scheming which had led to the
visit OF the Boer representatives. He de-
rided the claims of President Kruger that
n Ill
upon the constitution of the United States
or in any way resemb.ed it, He declared
that greater liberty would be accorded the
Beers under English institutions than they
had dreamed of in their present environ
ments. He satrized the pretensions OF
certain politicians who denounced Eng
land for land grabbing and who upheld
the United States in Selling the Philip
pine islands, which they were so anxious
to preserve from the rapacity of Great
Britain.
Mr.. Pratt said II was only becoming that
they recognize the dignity and fairness
with which the United States government
had treated Great Britain throughout the
war. 1T Is out of place to. speak OF party
politics here he said. "nnd believe that
president who belonged to any other
rarity would have pursued the same policy,
because behind II is the good feeling and
the friendly sentiment OF the American
people. nevertheless, a meeting OF this
kind should extend recognition of the wis
dom and fairness of the government as IL
stands" Mr.. Pratt reminded them of the
manly acknowledgement made by Admiral
Dewey of the great service rendered him
and the American navy at Manila, when IL
was surrounded by difficulties and the sit
uation was exceedingly delicate. When
the British admiral lined up his warships
between the German fleet and Dewey's
ships 1t was a Direct intimation that no
interference with Dewey would be per-
mitted by the British
Rev. Herbert ~. Gowen made a happy
speech In which he advised President Kru-
ger to take counsel with the shade of King
George III. who was half a Dutchman,"
he added--and who could tell him that
progress could not be stayed and that
effete notions no longer prevailed. Mr.
Gowen aroused his audience to enthusiasm
and his illusions to the United States and
to Great Britain were equally applauded.
Austin Griffiths moved an appropriate
resolution of greeting to friends In Great
Britain. which was heartily adopted
Tho speeches were interspersed with
songs. Miss Marguerite Mckinney sang
THE Absent-Mindcd Beggar," Walter w
Williams Soldiers OF the Queen" Alfred
X. Fisken The British Lion" Philip
Ashton The Boys of the Old Brigade .
and the audience sang Rule Britannia ="
God Save the Queen" and My Country
Ills of Thee" one OF the heartiest ana
most enthusiastic meetings ever held in
the city closed with spontaneous and great
cheering for William Mckinley