Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-12-10
THE JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION.
The British Ambassador. An Enthu.
 siastic Advocate of Celebration.


 The Jamestown Ter-Centennial
 Exposition. which is to open on the
 twenty-sixth day of next April, has Ia very enthusiastic advocate in Sir
 Mortimer Durand. the British Am
 bassador to the United States, who
 recently visited Norfolk. Virginia. in
 order to make personal inspection
 of the exposition site and it's envir- onment. so that he would be en rap
 port with the subject. upon his re- turn to England shortly.
 l The visit of Sir Mortimer Durand to the Jamestown exposition was more significant than appears on the surface, as 1t is rumored that he bears special personal commission from His Majesty, King Edward VII to report on the plan and scope of the interesting celebration to be held on the shore of Hampton Roads next year.
 While in Norfolk, as the guest of the President, Harry St George
 fucker, of the exposition company, Sir Mortimer Durand, had an inform- al talk with press representative. during the course of which he said: | T came to Norfolk at the invi- tation of President Harry St George and l esteem 1t privilege to have seen the Jamestown exposition in its embryonic state, as I am returning to England shortly and desire to be i able to speak intelligently of the great and very interesting celebra- tfon, which is to be held here next year.
 I have enjoyed my short stay in Norfolk very much indeed, saw the exposition grounds and it's environ ments under extremely pleasant cir- cumstances. I consider the site for the exposition an ideal one, possess ing possibilities of the grandest na- ture. The fact that 1t is going to be an exposition on the water and close to the ocean makes it extremely in- teresting to me, and adds great deal to it's charm.
 The further fact that Hampton Roads has. as am told, 10 miles or sheltered seaway, renders 1t an Ideal place for glorious naval dem- onstration as you are bound to have here, and will, think prove one of the grandest attractions of this no- table celebration. I am extremely fond of the sea myself, and judging by my own observation, believe you will have a very large attendance, due to that exclusive of all others.
 As an Englishman take a deep interest in the early history of Am erica and the great state of Virginia. especially in the first settlement of the English speaking people here. T feel sure that the people of Eng. land share these sentiments with me. My wife is a descendent of the San- dys. one of the early colonial govern ors, which increases my interest in the historical features of the expo- sition.
 With regard to the participation of England in the Jamestown expo- sition. as to her acceptance of Presi- dent Roosevelt's invitation, she will be represented by both men and ships. 1 can at this time speak only as an individual. but I have no doubt whatever that the cooperation will be hearty. generous and enthu- siastic. The educational and histor- ical features of the exposition will certainly receive assistance and CO., operation from the old country.
 Not long ago l heard some refer ence to the possibility of the removal of the dust of the Indian princess Pocahontas from it's resting place in English soil to this country of her forefathers. and when was in Penn- sylvania not long since there was some talk of the transference of the 1 mortal remains of William Penn from England to Pennsylvania. It has always seemed to me. however. that such material transference would be an unnecessary removal of | one of the many links of interest and kindly feeling and mutual asso- citation that binds together the two great English speaking countries. That. however. is only personal sentiment. and has no important bearing on the subject.
 When was in England last May, although my stay was a short one. was pleased to find much in- Ierest in the coming Jamestown ex- position. So deep an interest do take in the celebration and its charming and romantic asso- ciations and its beautiful environ nents that I would like to nurture he hope that circumstances may permit my visit in person next year.
 'l look back with great pleasure o my visit to the battIeship Virginia n your waters and Norfolk navy iard where I was most courteously -eceived.
 T was surprised as we'll as greatly pleased by the remarkable progress observed on the exposition grounds. Speaking as a layman I can sec no 'eason why it should not be success ully opened on time and conducted O a glorious conclusion
 While touring the grounds. one of he exposition governors remarked O Sir Mortimer that the extent to which England would participate would have marked influence on 'ther foreign nations Sir Mortimer eplied quickly:
 Do not say foreign nations. when to England for surely aI- hough the two governments are se- 'arate as governmental entities. we Ire in no manner foreign to each ther-"