The San Francisco call., 1909-10-21
EPOCHAL MEETING m
MERCHANTS EXCHANGE
Diplomats, Fighting Men and Business Men
Join in Pledge for Peace

Seven nations, numbering the great
est Of world powers. joined hands yes
terday in San Francisco. Fighting men
of these seven nations sat upon the
same rosfrum, felt the full heart sway
of a common impulse and pledged
themselves to a toast of universal
peace, amity and fellowship.
In the great board room of the mer-
chants exchange building room
typifying to the last detail the rejuve-
nation of a metropolis-there was en-
acted, without the pomp of circum-
stance or set formality, this scene
destined TO hold unique niche in the
worlds history. and destined even
more to live forever as one further
epochal event in the chronicles of a city
that has known many turning points.
England, Germany. Holland, Italy,
Japan. spain and the United States
raised their glasses yesterday after
noon. one TO the other. eliminating
every distinction of race and national
fly. forgetting every cover and blind OF
political diplomacy. driving every
thought of possible martial strife from
nina. ana SlNlnS uCdtb anu manu- tSSAS
and willingly TO a single Ioast-tne
toast of international fraternity.
Behind the handshakes, the smiles
and the spoken messages of good will
expressed by those who occupied the
speakers stand at this reception, given
by the commercial bodies Of San Fran
cisco TO the visiting diplomatists and
naval officers of foreign lands, flowed
a current Of thought and feeling of
ito Of a
brand that owes no allegiance to a
single flag. but that rises supreme in
acknowledgment of courage, energy
and deed well done, found express
sion in the words that were spoken
and in the silent Interchange of con-
hdences too sincere and sacred for
verbal habilament
SEVEN NATIONS REPRESNTD
Seven nations were personally rep
resented among the guests seated in
the places of honor at the reception,
but as many more were present in
spirit as evidenced by the kilograms
which came from every corner of the
globe and were read by the chairman
of the meeting One thought domi
mated all. The visitors from abroad
were unanimous in expression of
pleasure at being San Francisco's
guests; San sFrancisco's representa-
tives assured them most sincerely
that the city was proud and glad to
have them here.
For an hour the reception was given
to mutual fluctuations and words of
welcome by officials of the city and
state. Then an army band from the
Preside crashed into the stirring
strains Of the national anthem. Ameri-
cans and foreigners alike arose by COM
mon impulse and stood silent. The
Star Spangled Banner" was followed by
America" God Save the King, The
Watch on the Rhine" and the national
airs of Netherlands, Italy and Japan.
Through the playing of them all the
audience stood at attention Then the
music ceased and the reception became
q personal meeting Regardless of diff
ferences in tongue there was not a man
but felt himself among friends honestly
glad to grip him by the hand.
Mayor Edward Robson Taylor
voiced the sentiment of all San Fran
ciscans when he turned to the group
Of naval officers and civic dignitaries
and said:
we welcome you among us, one and
all. and we want you to feel that you
have come not only into the safe port
of San Francisco, but into the safe
port of our hearts as WELL
BIG ROOMS CROWDED
The speaking occurred on the ros-
trum Of the Merchants Exchange as
sembly hall. where, before a back
ground of American flags. the distin-
guished guests Of the commercial
bodies Of San Francisco were given
seats Of honor. The Immense room
was crowded to the doors and the audi
ence was one that acclaimed its feel
ings in cheers and applause that broke
out time and again. Hundreds of the
Is - g.-
the throng, but among them were
sprinkied naval officers whose lives are
bound to the service of king, queen, or
emperor. Whatever the flag, whatever
the service, the spirit of American de-
mocracy dominated all The cheers for
Japan were given with the same zest
as the cheers for Spain. The music of
Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy and
Germany was received with all there
spectful tribute accorded the airs of
the United States.
James Rolph Jr, president of the
merchants exchange. introduced James
McNsb, president of the chamber Of
commerce, who presided as chairman of
the reception. On the platform with
them were Governor Gillett, Mayor
Taylor; Admiral James Phelps. Z. S. N;
Joseph D Redding. Charles c. Moore,
Andrew NJ. Davis and n H de Young,
constituting the reception committee.
The guests of honor were:
Dr. John Louden, minister from The Neither
lands 10 the United Stsres; his excellency, mar
quis de Villalobar. minister from Spain TO the
United States; Captain FStEheEbert Of bis British
Dutch ship Noord Brabant. Captain Schroeder Of
the German ship Arcona. Captain Takashita Of
the japanese ship Idzumo. Captain Casaneuova
Of the Italian ship CalabTia. Captain Edwards
OF the British snip Shesrwater. Captain Craw-
ford Of the British ship Algerine. british Vice
Consul c. wellesley Moore, Consul G. J. O. Mar
SLY Of The Netherlands. Consul General Nagai
of Japan. Consul Rocca Of Italy and Consul
TESTIMONIAL FROM CHICAGO
On the stand with the guests of
honor and the reception committee OF
the commercial organizations were sew
eral prominent men, among whom were
congressmen Kahn and Knowland, Ma
jor Sherman of the Mexican War Vet
erans' association, Bishop Nichols and
former Assistant Secretary of Com
merce and Labor William R. Wheeler.
Among the messages received from
other cities and read by Chairman Nc
Nab was a handsomely engraved testi-
monial from the Chicago chamber Of
commerce, commemorating the Portola
celebration and extending to San Fran
cisco the congratulations of a city
which was itself devastated by fire. and
which, like San Francisco, recovered
only TO become greater than ever be-
fore. Other kilograms were read from
New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berlin.
London, Yokohama, Cleveland and
other cities.
President Rolph of the Merchants.
exchange opened the formal portion OF
the reception by declaring the meeting
f-~<s.