The San Francisco call., 1905-05-07
Farewell Banquet
to the Retiring
EmbaSSador.
Premier Warm In
Praise of Ameri-
can Official.
Speaks of Growing
Friendship of the
Two Nations.

LONDON, May 6.-The banquet in
honor Of Retiring ambassador Joseph
H Choste in the Mansion House last
night was spread in the Egyptian Hall,
which was drsped with the banners of
past Lord Mayors and the flags of
colonies Arranged behind the Lord
Mayor and Mr.. Choate was the cor
poration plate centerpiece crossed by a
huge sword and mace. while the small
e. pieces OF this wonderful silver serv-
ice. Including the enormous loving cup,
were used on the tables. The rich red
uniforms Of the army officers. together
with those Of members from the mu-
nicipsl government and a vast number
OF relocated, powdered household at
tendants. made a gala scene
The Archbishop Of Canterbury pro-
4 nounced grace and the benediction
The aged Lord Mayor, a white bearded,
. picturesque figure in his rich costume.
rose and toasted the King and Queen.
SIR Henr-- Campbell -Bannerman pro-
posed the President" eulogizing him
as genuine typical character of
America. an official friend Of peace,
though perhaps not Of a quiescent dis
position.
Premier Balfour, in toasting Mr.
Choate. said:
mo greater honor could have been
done me than 10 have proposed this
toas-"
He congratulated the Lord Mayor on
being the host Of Great Britain on this
memorable occasion. Mr. Choate. he
said. had been with Britons in days
az mourning and rejoicing, Of disaster
and Of victory, not only as the rep
resentative Of a great state, but ever
ready 10 take his part in any phase of
British public life n6t connected with
politics. and had ever played his part
with distinction He hoped Mr. Choate
would carry away with him much more
than merely diplomatic ideas.
Mr. Balfour dilated on the close re-
lations between the two countries and
the common sentiment Of amity which
survived always despite the mistakes of
official leaders. He said that with the
lapse OF decades the old bitterness had
been lost in the historic past; that all
causes Of difficulty had vanished and
that there had emerged slowly but
surely a feeling of common brother
hood, the surest prospect he ventured
10 think, Of international peace and
progress. In conclusion Mr. Balfour
said that their farewell to Mr. Choate
was not formal and Official, but came
from their hearts. On rising Mr.
Choate was greeted with rounds of
applause.
He spoke at considerable length and
with much feeling. He said that he was
homesick and glad to be returning TO
his native land, where old friends were
diminishing as fast as new ones were
making here If he remained much
longer, he said, he would have worse
disease than homesickness, namely,
anglomanis- An American President
had once wisely said that he would not
trust an ambassador in England more
than four years, because the English
would spoil him. They would not spoil
him as the children Of Israel spoiled
the Midianites, but, contrarywise, by
heaping compliments and benefits UPON
them. He said he did not dare trust
himself to speak Of the honor he felt
IN being the guest Of such an assembly
gathered to say farewell. Altogether
too much credit has been attributed to
me-" Mr.. Choate said, for the happy
and delightful relations now existing
between the united countries. If I have
contributed 10 maintain what 1 have
found on taking UP my post the last
six years viii be the proudest Of my
Efe. The real reason for the happy
state Of affairs between the countries
does not belong TO any ambassador,
but the two men responsible for their
relations are Lord Lansdowne and Mr..
Hay. I have never been called into
the presence Of the King or his Illus
trious consort without finding them
also fun of friendship for the country
I represent. The Kings instincts for
peace are unerring and his genius for
conciliation perfect. as he has shown
the world in recent weeks
Before concluding Mr.. Choate paid a
tribute TO Whitelaw Reid, his successor
as Embassador at the court of St.
James. and read from his recent speech
in New York as a worthy Introduction
Of the new Embassador He said the
British people would find that his sue
cessor and old friend had been a life
lcng advocate Of friendly relations be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States.
to the bench Of the Middle Temple on
May 9. when il is expected King Ed
ward, who is also a bencher, viii be
present This is a purely private func-
fion.