The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-05
Roosevelt and Edward Toasted.
ChOate is Roasted
FRIENDSHIP IN EVIDENCE
Kings Sickness Breaks Into Fourth Of
July ebration-Ambassad
Choate Leaves and Americans
Murmur-5oo Present.

London. July 4-The Fourth Of July
banquet of the American Society in Lon
don was given at the Hotel Cecil tonight.
There was a remarkable manifestation OF
sympathy for King Edward and his Ill
ness and incidentally there were some
open expressions of displeasure with
Joseph II. Choate, the United States
ambassador. Between four and five
hundred Americans were present at the
banquet and the specially invited guests
included Lieutenant General Sir Francis
Grenfell, the Governor of Malta; Sir John
Gordon Sprigg Prime Minister of Cape
Colony; Captain Robert Bond, the Pre-
mier of Newfoundland; General Joseph
Wheeler and the United States consul
general In London. H. Clay Evans The
dinner was expedited in order to enable
Mr.. choate Henry White. secretary of
the American embassy and colonial or
fees to attend a reception at the India
office
Having eloquently toasted King Ed
ward, Mr.. Choate announced that in
consequence of his majesty's grave con-
dition, the other usual toasts, with the
exception of the one to the President of
the United States. would be omitted and
that there would be no speech making.
Toasted Roosevelt.
Sir Francis Grenfell proposed the health
of President Roosevelt. After this toast
was drunk, Mr.. Choate, Mr.. White, Sir
Francis and the other colonial officials,
hurried away to don their court dress.
and to meet the Prince or Wales at the
India office. The other guests of the So
ciety remained, ard In spite of Mr.
Choates announcement there ensued an
unusually bright series Of speeches,
which were punctuated by openly ex-
pressed dissatisfaction at the absence OF
the American ambassador and his action
In discountenaDcing the speecnes. This
dissatisfaction was voiced by ex-Gover-
nor Hastings Of Pennsylvania, who said
that he quite disagreed with Mr.. Choate-
Mr.. Hastings said he had only just ar
rived in London from the United States.
but that before he left all the country
was rejoicing over the Kings recovery.
and that therefore, he thought tonight
should be one Of rejoicing ana OF speeches
to voice thai feeling. This remark was
greeted with loud cheers In which the
American diplomats who had remained
and all the consular reports present
heartily Joined.
Mr.. Choate opened the ceremonies at
tonights banquet by reading the last
bulletin concerning the condition OF the
King. 1t was received with cheers.
choate Speaks.
THE eyes of the world SAID the am
bassador, have been brought very close
together these last few days. King Ed
wards health occupies the tender, Sc
rious and affectionate regard of the CIV
ilized world. At this banquet and espe-
cially upon the Fourth of July, which
believe contributed to the happiness Of
both countries. l can express for the peo-
pie OF the United States aud without un-
duly assuming authority their earnest
aid hearty sympathy with King Edward
and his people in their anxiety, and can
say that the American people offer them
their prayers for his rnajesty's speedy re-
covery as earnestly ana as ardently as If
no separation had ever occurred.
Never has there been and never could
there be a more pathetic historical oc-
currence than the kings illness. The
peace which was so anxiously looked for
had come at last; the capital had been
transformed into a theatre In which mil
lions of people might behold the most
wonderful pageant of modern times. and
all mankind was on tiptoe Of expecta-
ton when suddenly, like bolt from
clear blue sky, the center OF these fes-
tivities had to exchange the glory and
brightness of the coronation for weeks
of illness No wonder all hearts were
prostrated and that every note or prepar-
alton ces sed Now, when hope has revived
we are all somewhat chastened by the
brief but startling experience. Anxiety
still mingles with hope. and speeches on
this occasion would be suitably omitted"
Wanted No HlIarlty.
In view of the circumstances Mr.. Choate
urged that the usual hilarity of the cele-
bration be tempered. He referred TO
President Roosevelt who all men de-
lighted to honor" and his keen sympathy
for the king In his Illness, from which he
drew a parallel of the feeling In Great
Britain over the death of President Me-
Kinley.
Indignation at the act of the assassin"
said Mr. Choate, Expressions OF grief
also came from all parts Of the British
dominions from the king downward. One
voice that spoke more constantly and
more feelingly than any other one was
the voice of King Edward. Not only did
the king insist upon my forwarding him
every message / received concerning Mr..
McKinley's condition. bur he answered
each one with sympathetic messages. No
living heart beat more warmly toward
the United States in those days than did
that of his majesty. He has lost no op-
of manifesting his good will
toward us and we have every reason
and right to count him, we did his
mother, our steadfast and increasing re-
spect for their welfare"
In proposing the health Of President
Sir Francis Grenfel quoted
Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford as
saying this afternoon in reply to Sir
Francis question:
do you know Roosevelt?"
-Anow him, know him WELL stayed
with him in America: he is the best Of
man; a real good sportsman. gallant
soldier and a statesman.
This description of President Roosevelt
was greeted by those present with cheers.
Sir Francis classee the deaths
If President Mckinley and Lord Paunce-
tote. formerly British ambassador at
and the illness of King Ed
ward as the three greatest calamities Of
he past twelve months. He declared that
Engishmen would never forget the SYM
)athy shown in the United States over
he death of Lord Pauncefote for the
ieeply felt solicitude expressed by Amer