The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-08
DINNER TO WITTE AND RoSEN
FORMER PRAISES ROOSEVELT
ron MIS- WORK FOR PEACE.

George Harvey Hest ct . Notable Dinner
at the Metropolitan Cub-naren
Rosen Lauds His Colleague emu
Root Talks Of the Presidents Task.
Col. George Harvey gave dinner last
night to the Russian ENJOYS To the peace
conference, most OF their suite ana aoou1
seventy Americans. Tho dinner took place
at the Metropolitan Club. The big rouno
table. set In tho main dining room, was
banked high With American Beauty roses.
with lilies OF the valley and ornamental
foliage. The upper rooms Of the club were
dressed In palms for the occasion.
Mr.. Harvey sat between Mr.. Witte ana
Elihu Root. Baron Rosen was at Mr.. ROOTS
right, and next in order was Secretary
Of the Treasury shaw. J. P. Morgan was
to tho right Of Mr.. Witte. In the middle OF
the dinner. William Dean Howells asked
for chance To talk to Baron Rosen and
Mr.. Shaw changed places with him.
Mr. Howells and Baron Roseh talked
long and earne silly about something
some OF the Roosian ink singers, the
waiter said.
It was q curiously mixed lot Of eminent
Americans together with few eminent
Russians. DR.. Lyman Abbott discussed
with NJ. Plancon. to his left. the moral state
Of the Inhabitants OF the Caucasus. Booth
Harrington exchanged badinage across
tables with the jovial M. Korostovitz.
Prince koudachen explained to W. X.
Vanderbilt Jr., the Russian railway system.
John Jacob Aston at one end Of the table,
held earnest conversation with Pokotilod
the impressive Minister to China And
so on about the Observation-Disclosures fnan-
oial. literary. political and journalistic
hobnobbing with the diplomatic person.
ages Of Russia.
1t was a very dignifed dinner. Even
at the dessert, wnen the ordinary banquet
loosens a little. they held their backs
straight and talked Of serious things.
Col. Harvey opened the speechmaking
proposing the health OF the Czsr. He
said in part
"YouR ExcEILENoIEs AND GENTLEMEN:
sWhen first we demanded our freedom we
were not only comparatively helpless, but
we seemed to be absolutely friendleas. The
mother country. as she was then and Is now
in modified degree, acting in consonance
with the custom Of the period. could see no
reason for spilling the blood Of her own
SONS while mercenaries could be had for
hire. Instinctively her eyes turned to the
populated East. to friendly Russia, which
had at that time. in the language Of her own
Prime Minister, sufficient number Of troops
under arms and to spare to trample those
rebellioGs American oolonists under their
feet.
Never was there experienced more
angry disappointment than that Of the
confident ruler when he received from the
great Queen Catharine the cold response
that it Ill became two powerful nations
to join forces to quell justifiable revolu-
ton unsupported by foreign power.
Upon that rock Of fairness. justice and
humanity the great Queen planted the
imperial banner, and there it has remained
In friendship. sympathy and helpfulness
through all the trials that have come upon
our beloved country to this very day.
When. in 1913, the young republic, was
again haraseed and all but overwhelmed
in her second great struggle for the preser-
walton Of life and freedom there was in
the whole world but one monarch willing
to hold forth a helping hand, but one ruler
ready to hazard the fortunes Of his own
empire upon proposal Of voluntary inter-
vention. 1t was the Car Of Russia who,
with equal courage and determination,
blazed the way for Theodore Roosevelt.
within the living memory OF many
around this board. when the republic.
then become great, was torn asunder by
civil strife and seemed to be at the point Of
dismemberment and likely prey for the
vultures OF envious nations, one splendid
fleet OF armored vessels came sailing through
the Narrows to this threatened city. while
yet another WAS passing through the Golden
Gate OF San Francisco. Those ships were
the messengers OF Russia to America. Sym
pathy. friendship. and, il need were, prac-
teal assistance were the cargoes consigned
In those vessels by the Russian Empire to
the American republic.
Can we hope ever to repay those mighty
obligations? Probably not. But there do
come times when we may at least indicate
our appreciation, and this Is one OF those
times. We are honored tonight by the
presence Of the representatives Of that
great empire whose fidelity to our interests
has never wavered, and, please God, may
be everlasting
Then Col. Harvey introduced Mr.. Witte.
Il introduce he said. tho foremost
statesman Of the civilized world to propose
the health Of the foremost peacemaker and
promoter Of peace In the civilizedworld.
Witte rose, looking 100 per cent. better
than he did before his long sleep Of the
night before, and said, in French, with a
decided Russian accent:
Gentlemen: beg you to excuse the
liberty I take In speaking first, but hope
that what have the honor Of presenting
to this honorable gathering will justify
me.
-I'have tho honor to present toast to
your illustrious President, Theodore Roose-
welt. At the same time. It il both my duty
and pleasure to propose toast to the pros
perity Of the great and marvellous Ameri-
can people who are personihed in Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Il drink to the prosperity Of this great
Republic and its President.
The orchestra played THE Star Span led
Banner" az tho company rising. Then
Baron Rosen was introduced. He said:
In arising to respond to the toast pro.
posed by your honora BILE chairman. wish
0rut ~ all m fsshalf ~ vy,v <ovot..-