Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-16
A NOTABLE GATHERING
Of Americans, Canadians and English
men at Banquet to Commission.

London oct. l5.-The dinner given by
the Pilgrims Society to the Alaskan
Boundary commission at Claridge's
hotel, tonight, proved the most notable
assemblage of JCnglishmen, Americans
and Canadians ever brought together in
London. In addition to the members of
the commission, the British cabinet
ministers. the American ambassador,
and the most prominent representatives
of English public life were present.
Lord Roberts presided. On his right
sat Ambassador Choate and on his left
Lord Chief Justice Alverstone. Lord
J.ansG ownc. Sir Louis Jette, Sir Stan
ley Clarke, the Kings cquerry, and
Secretary Elihu Root at the same table.
The other guests numbered in al about
10
Lord Roberts proposed the health of
King Edward and President Roosevelt
in a united toast which met with Il cor
dial reception. He then proposed The
Alaskan Boundary Commission" to
which Lori AlverStone replied, saying
that the meeting OF the commissioners
would stan! as Il monument of the feel
ing eVinced IN America and Great Brit
ain to settle theil difficulties BY a COM
mon sense method.
F,X-Unitcd States Senator Turner and
the Hon. Clifford SiftOn, Canadian in
terror minister, answered for their re-
SpeCtiVe countries. the latter saying
that no greater crime could be conceiY
ed against human nature than trouble
between Great Britain and the United
States.
Proposing the health of the Anglo
Saxon race. Lord Lansdowne claimed
nationality to promote the arts ana lit
crature and Just and equal government.
Said he: Human natures are 1alible
and we must have Our little difficulties
from time to time. but an appeal 10 fore
is unthinkablc."
tn British foreign secretary then paid
n tribute t. the late Sir Michael Her
bert and quoted Ambassador Choate as
saying that the mantle of Lord Paunce-
lie added President kooSeveit'S tribut" to
ord Paunccfotc that he did his business
as an honest gentleman.
Let us follow that motto. concluded
the foreign minister, lin public ana il.
private. Let us do our business as honest
gentlemen confident OF the great honor
which the Anglo-SaNon race deserves Of
the world. "
Jacob NJ. Dickinson Of the America.
counsel. in responding referred to The At
ro-American and other elements rompos-
ing the American population.
MIR. ANleSWOrt the Canadian commits
sioner, answering in The name of Cana
d,,. asked if Lord Lansdowne had not lost
sight of the fact that several thousands
ada which by the whole trend Of his
speech Mr.. Aylesworth intimated had
h, en- rather overlooked. Passonately, Mr..
AylcSworth declared that none was more
I Al, I,
Vet there We're none who from i business
and sentimental point of view moro lp
peciated their association with America.
Secretary Root closed the dinner with
notable speech proposing the health Of
! Lord Roberts as the commanGer-n-che
OF the British army and declaring that
none who speak the English language
would fail to wish health and prosperity
to the leader of the marches to kanilI
har. Lucknow and Pretoria. MI. Root
referred to the cnGeavor to promote army
reform on both sides of the Atlantic.
ON both sides of the Atlantic during the
rcconcilng civil and military expert opin-
ION and authority had been the cause Of
difficulty and of inebiciencN.
Mr. Root said that by the creation of
general staff he hoped that the United
States had solved the problem and he
trusted that Great Britain would be SIM
iary fortunate.
'.i;y this expression, he said. YOU
may gather that | hope that the Amer
can and British armies might never he
brought into contact. There can not ne
a more genuine and hearty feeling of good
viii than exists among the people of the
I-nitad States for Canada.
After remarkins that Canada had learn
Cd how colonies should be properly treat
cd IN the lesson of the American kevoiu-
lion MIR Root said he was proud to put
the American army side by side with the
british army. the .characteristics Of tn
latter being that it did not night for
,,,nn,y onpression or conquest. but for
nrogrcss liberty and construction, not de-
structior when always followed in the
Wake of the British army
! -. Ii the proceedings then ended.