Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-12-14
Great riBian.and me Jamesiawn Expo
sition

-
day Of next April, has very enthu-
siastic advocate in Sir Mortimer Du-
rand, the British Ambassador, to the
United States, who recently visited
Norfolk, Virginia, in order to make
personal inspection of the Exposition
site and its environment, SO that he
would be in rapport with The subject,
upon his return to England shortly.
The visit OF Sir Mortimer Durand to
the jamestown Exposition was more
significant than appears on the surface
as it il rumored hat he bears special
personal commission from His Ma
jesty, 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 Tucker of
the Exposition Company and Sir Mort
mer Dnrand, had an informal talk
with 4 press representative, during
the course of which he said
81 came to Norfolk at the invitation
Of President Harry st. George, and 1
esteem it privilege to have seen the
jamestown exposition in its embryonic
state, because am returning to Eng
land shortly and desire to be able to
speak intelligently Of the great and
very interesting celebration, which is
to pe held here next year.
~ have enjoyed my short stay in
Norfolk very much indeed. I saw the
exposition grounds and its environ :
ments under extremely pleasant cir
cumstances. / consider the site for
the exposition an ideal one, possess
ing possibilities of the grandest nature.
The fact thai it is going to be an ex-
position on the water and close to the
ocean makes it extremely interesting
to me, and adds great deal to its
charm.
"The further fact that Hampton
Roads has, as / am told, 100 miles of
sheltered seaway, renders it an ideal
place for a glorious naval dcmonstra-
ton as you are bound to have here,
and will, / think, prove one of the
grandest attractions of this notable eel
ebration. l am extremely fond of the
sea myself, and judging by my own
observation, l believe you will have
very large attendance due to that
feature exclusive of all others.
''As an Englishman | take a deep
interest in the early history of Amer
ca and tie great state of Virginia, es-
pecially in the first settlement of the
English speaking people here. / feel
sure that the people of England share
these sentiments with M. NV wife |
is dcscendent of the Sandys, one of
the early colonial governors, which in
creases my interest in the historical
features OF the exposition.
"With regard to the Anticipation of
England in the jamestown Exposition
as to her acceptance of President |
Roosevelt's invita- ion, she will be re-
presented by both men and ships. | |
can at this time speak only as an in
dividual, but have no doubt what
ever that the cooperation will be |
hearty, generous and enthusiastic. The
educational and historical features of |
the exposition will certainly receive |
warm assistance and cooperation from |
the old country.
"Not long ago heard some reference
to the possibility of the removal of the
dust of the Indian Princess Pocahontas
from its resting place i'll English soil
t. this country of her forefathers, and |
when | was in Pennsylvania not long
since there was some talk of the trans
ferrance of the mortal remains of VIII |
liam Penn from England to Pennsyl- |
vania. 1t has always seemed to me,
however, that such material transfer
renee would be an unnecessary re-
moval of one of the many links of in |
terest and kindly feeling and mutual
association that binds together the
wo great English speaking countrie
That, however, is only personal sens
timent and has no important bearing
on the subject.
when l was in England last May,
although my stay was short one, | |
was pleased to find much interest in |
the coming jamestown Exposition. So
deep an interest do / personally take
in the celebration and its charming and /
romantic associations and its beautiful
environments that | would like to nur-
ture the hope that circumstances may
permit my visit in person next year.
81 look back with great pleasure to
my visit tt the battleship Virginia in
your waters and Norfolk navy yard
where | was most courteously reeeiy-
ed.
81 was surprised as well as greatly