The Washington herald., 1908-02-20
HANDS ACROSS SEA
AT GOTHAM DINNER
Continued from Page One.

preciated. There is no need. either. to
say how much / appreciate the words
OF my distinguished predecessor; nor how
glad we all are to see the spirit and
grace with which he bears his new hon
ors. ] am not referring to The Hague:
that wPs in the old line Of business.
What I mean is the honor of admission.
worthily earned. 20 the immortal company
of the Men of &c" There is hardly a
person about whom l shall have more
inquiries when I get back to London.
After touching on an expression Of re-
gret made by his predecessor that no
portrait Of Benjamin Franklin was
among those that adorned the rooms Of
the American Embassy i'm London. and
promising TO make il his duty 20 repair
the omission. Mr.. Reid continuing. said.
The work Of this society. and OF its
London twin. is the same. and Il is a
work worthy Of the great name they nave
both invoked.
Relations Are Pleasant.
You probably know already. but still
-the assurance viii not be unwelcome.
that everything in the relations between
the two countries is now substantially as
you would have it. There are no serious
complications. Business intercourse is
more frequent and intimate. and good
Will towards us seems universal Co
operation has become easy and natural in
the most international movement in which
both countries are concemed-as for ex-
ample. in promoting efforts Of peace or
in humanitarian movements FOR better
conditions in the Congo. or for the re-
striction of the immoral opium traffic
Points long in dispute begin 10 appear
The oldest outstanding source OF irritation
between the two countries. a constant
danger for a century and a quarter. is in
the course Of peaceful! adjustment. In
spite of the late declaration in the confer
ence Of colonial powers. that there was
othing in the fisheries question that
could properly be referred TO arbitration.
the two countries. upon a proposal of the
United States. have agreed 10 refer our
differences about It to The Hague tri-
bunal.
FOrgets No Nonsense.
In thus dwelling on our peaceful and
cordial relations. / am not forgetting the
nonsense you have read in the .sensa-
tional press about the obligations Of
Great Britain 10 sustain Japan in war
against the United States. II an that
ignorant and foolish talk We're not mis-
chievOus, YOU might dismiss il as merely
another bit of yellow moonshine. For
first there is no war and not the ghost
OF probability OF war with Japan any
more than there is OF war with Russia. or
with Thibet or with Paraguay. and Pata-
gonia. have every reason 20 think that
the japanese are our friends, as we are
theirs
If they are not. there Is one thing Won
may be sure about. they certainly aren't
fools, and YOU have 70 think them en-
urely without common sense before YOU
can imagine them capable OF seeking war
with powerful and friendly,Eatiun. half
way around the globe. absolutely without
a grievance or a motive. And. secondly.
the treaty between Great Britain ane
Japan simply provides that IN case Of az
gression on Japan's recognized territorial
rights in the East Great Britain would
sustain her
List of Troubles.
We do have a little list Of other mat
tiers unadjusted between our two coun-
tries They relate chiefly % Canada. But
we rely upon the fairness Of cur Cana
dian friends. headed by the accomplished
statesman whose services they enjoy as
prisnier. Sir Wilfrid Laurier. 10 get
most Of them equitably adjusted between
ourselves. and what We cannot settle,
The Hague Conference surely can.
We are all watching with pride one
branch Of this foreign service nOw-the
stately procession OF war ships. bearing
the flag Of the country peacefuHy. around
the western hemisphere. heralded be- the
Joybells Of every sister republic II ap-
proachs. and followed by the acclama-
tons Of their free and independent peo-
pies
That fleet revives friendships. stinu-
lates intercourse. puts 20 shame the
maligners Of the navy and Of the Presi-
dent, carries cheer 20 stricken but gal
lantly courageous San Francisco and the
Pacific Coast. and recalls 10 our nation
It's commanding position not merely on
the Atlantic, but also on the ocean that
Is 10 carry the commerce Of thu twentieth
century"
Bishop Lawrence Speaks.
Following Mr.. Reid came the Right
Rev. Bishop Lawrence, of Massachusetts.
who spoke Of the message Of New Eng
land 90 Old England.
Mr. Choate read a letter from James
Bryce. the British Ambassador in which
Mr.. Bryce complained that he had 10 be
IN Ottawa, much 10 his regret. because
II made him miss the dinner. In his place
Esme Howard. counselor Of the British
Embassy. spoke. He characterized the
pilgrims as builders. Who were construct
ing temple Of mutual good Will between
the countries.
JAPAN'S REPLY READY.
O'Brien Gets Vote On
Subject of Emigration.
Tokyo, Feb. 19.-The reply OF the Ian