New-York tribune., 1905-06-18
AMERICA AND ENGLAND.
Significance of Dir. Reds Reception
in Plymouth and London.
London. June .


1nent AT an early stage of the Civil War
among the last matters Of state which she dis
cyssed with the Prince Consort and that his
svmpathies were with the Union left permanent
tmpressiou on her tenacious mind but certainly
during the closing half of her reign she took ad-
vantage Of every opportunity for showing her
triendI!ness to Americans. The American Am
bassa6ors were always her personal friends and
were treated with marked distinction at court,
and she set the style. which was followed by the
nation. She was more responsible perhaps than
anv OF her subjects for the preferential treat
rlent which converted every American Ambas-
ssdor into the "spoilt child Of British diplo-
r,acv- as was the envious saying in other En-
bassies King Edward has inherited his august
mothers policy and with his special talent for
cancellation and pacific diplomacy he has en-
nhasized and enlarged its application. He has
never concealed the fact that he had a genuine
liking for Americans. and took delight in honor
ing their government and their country. Mr.
Choate was treated with exceptional distinction
ct court and when he retired from office re-
oaiz-ad he most cordial and intimate acknowl-
edemeuts Of the sovereign's good will and regret
for his departure, The incoming Ambassador
has been welcomed in his turn with unwoHteo
beartiness and made to feel at once that he was
persona grata at the Court of St Jamess.
When porter found me a place at waterloo
on the train u Plymouth, where was 70 meet
the Philadelphia from New-York he called my
attention TO the royal saloon. which was IN
front. There must be a royal guest expected
at Plymouth as we'll as at Portsmouth ne re-
marked. significantly. II was, indeed, the hrst
time that carriage specially designed for roy
altv was used in conveying an incoming Am
bassador 70 London Il was drawn up with two
other coaches on the landing pier at Devonport
the next morning when went on board the
ten5er to so out on the Sound TO meet the IN
coming American liner. There hao been Keen
rivalry between -he South Western and Great
Western Railway companies for the honor OF
taking the Ambassador up 10 London, and each
had been prepared to send Gown royal saloon
for his accommodation. The American Line
officials decided the matter in favor OF the South
Western, and co-operated heartily with them IN
expediting his departure from Plymouth ana
IN rninistering TO his comfort on the journey
There had also been brisk competition between
the -yyo ports. Plymouth and southampton, IN
greeting him, and d compromise was finally ef-
fected when the delegations from the two towns
went out on the Great western tender 10 deliver
addresses Of welcome and to receive his re-
sponse When these simple but hearty proceed
ings. which I described in q cable letter, were
concluded the Ambassador ard his family were
taken as..ore with the least possible delay and
the special train with its luxurious saloon made
the journey TO London without a single stop.
The arrangements were perfect, as the officials
Of the South Western and Of the American Line
had ordered every detail with painstaking care.
No other foreign Ambassador has ever been re-
ceived on his arrival in England with equal
honor: and everything was done with the knowl-
edge and forethought of the Court.
After the care taken with these preliminary
details, Il was not surprising that the ordinary
delays in the presentation of credentials were
avoided. and that on one of the busiest days
Of the reign when the King of Spain was
pected in the evening. special audience should
be arranged, royal carriages sent TO Dorchester
House and the Ambassador Mrs. Reid and Miss
Reid welcomed by the King and Queen Alex
andra at Buckingham Palace Sometimes sew
eral days elapse before the credentials of an in
coming Ambassador passed upon by the
Foreign Office ard he is presented to the King,
but In this instance the ceremony was conducted
~ the earliest possible moment and with un-
ronted dignity and statelness- In this way the
American Ambassador enabled to enter
upon his official duties al once, and to take
conspicuous part IN the court functions Of par
ticularly brilliant week, when the visit Of the
young King Of Spain was the occasion OF pro-
Longed series Of interesting and impressive
events. At the banquet diplomatic reception
and ball at the Palace at the gala night, at the
opera and the dinner at Lord Lansdowne's and
Lord Londonderrys party, the American Am
bassador was singled out for special honor and
distinction. This was fortunate circumstance,
for il enabled the official representative Of the
nation with which Spain had recently been az
TO join the court in welcoming to England
the young sovereign from Madrid and to empha-
size by his presence and his courteses the fact
that America has naught but good feeling and
respect for the historic peninsula and its brave
and patriotic people
Veterans Of the diplomatic body and the Civil
Service do not attempt to minimize the sig
!lifcance of the American Ambassadors prompt
and cordial reception. It is considered a prac-
teal proof of the intimacy Of the relations be-
tween England and America and OF the mutual
trust and confidence strengthening year by year
In Speeding the departing and welcoming the
coming Ambassador the King has given the
sign 10 public opinion and the English press.
which was so generous and outspoken in praise
OF Mr.. Choate, has greeted his successor with
srual cordiality and manifestations Of respect
Mr. Reid's own earnest words at Plymouth are
widely quoted and commented on as sagacious
forecast of the of good feeling: Shall II
not be our common effort to preserve and
strengthen the foundations OF this good under
standing between our respective countries? 1t
-ests first on the natural good will Of the two
yreat English speaking peoples. It rests fur
ther on an instinct Of real knship in our higher
feelings and aspirations But next and best, 1t
rests on the profound conviction-held alike, as
firmly believe. on either side of the water
the freedom of both. the Christianity of both and
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