Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-24
OF London Gives Banquet
to Ambassador Reid.
Lord Roberts Toasts tho King
and Pres. Roosevelt.


London, June 23.-Whitelaw Reid, the
American ambassador. who has been
officially received by King Edward and
the members of the cabinet and enter
tanned socially by the royalty and the
leaders of English society. made his
first public appearance as ambassador
at dinner given in his honor by the
Pilgrims Society Of London, tonight
The gathering was most notable and
included many Of England's most ia
nous men with a sprinkling OF Amer
lean residents of London, all Of whom
gave the heartiest welcome to the
American representative.
A large banquetting hall at Claridge's
was crowded and presented a brilliant
scene. The hall was plainly but daint-
lily decorated with the entwined Amer
lean and British flags and huge clus-
ters Of American beauty roses. Field
Marshal Lord Roberts presided.
Lord Roberts in proposing a toast to
King Edward and President Roosevelt
said:
1.-The first toast on this vast program
is ore which cannot but appeal to ev-
eryone IN this room. 1t is that of King
Edward and President Roosevelt. I
thought OH an occasion such as this
when we Pilgrims of this country as
sembled to do honor to a brother Pill
grim in the person Of the eminent gen.
tleman who has come to this country
to represent America at the court OF
st. James, that II would be appropri-
atae to bracket the names of the rulers
Of the respective countries, not only be-
cause they are our rulers, but because
In their persons we have two Of the
greatest peacemakers of the present
time. When we reflect on the happy re-
suits Of Kind Edwards continental
journeys, upon the friendly relations OF
Great Britain with other powers and
indeed on all and every phase Of the
Kings reign, King Edwards success as
promoter of peace and good feeling
stands out pre-eminent. The same
might be said Of President Roosevelt
who even now is giving the world the
strongest proof of his love for peace
and who may be considered to be one
of civilizations truest friends.
II ask you all to drink TO the health,
long life and prosperity Of the king
and of that distinguished American
gentleman, President Roosevelt
Lord Roberts reference to President
ROosevelt's efforts TO end the war was
received with cheers.
To Premier Balfour fell the task Of
proposing the toast to the guest of the
evening. Mr.. Balfour said that the sem
timents with which they regarded the
American ambassador We're different
from those melted out to the represen-
tative of any other power. The Ameri-
can ambassador represented not an
alien power, but a power of whose
greatness Great Britain was proud and
whose progress Great Britain had
watched with interest.
Whitelaw Reds predecessors had in.
dictated that 1t was the wish of America
to be little entangled in the politics Of
the old world but Premier Balfour said
he doubted whether that doctrine in its
maintained, as 1t was not reasonable to
think that some great planet could be
suddenly introduced into the solar sys-
tenn and remain there without having
an effect on the other planets with
which it associated. This. the premier
said, was seen in President Roosevelts
EFFORTS towards peace. ~
Ambassador Reid received an enthu-
siastic reception on rising to reply the
company singing America" and Hes
a jolly Good Fellow" Mr.. Reid said in
part:
Words fail me for proper acknowl-
edgement Of the too-kind things you
have been pleased to say and the too
generous manner in which they have
been received. Nor can / trust myself
to tell you how much value the stili
greater compliment implied In the
gathering Of this extraordinary and
representative company which stands
as l well know. for so much of what
both of our countries hold in the high
est honor.
with all my heart I thank you.
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