New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-04
IRy the Associated Press.I


London Dec. 3-Sir Thomas Nesey
ton of the City of London to-day gave
luncheon at the Glildhall to eight hun
bred American sailors from the visiting
| fleet al Gravesend and Weymouth.
The buejackets arrived by train at Char
| ing Cross, headed by Commander Sims, OF
the Minnesota, and the officers Of his staff.
and accompanied by the band of the Cold
stream Guards, which the War Office had
ordered out for the occasion, marched
through the streets in the West End Of the
city to The ancient hall where many
famous guests have been henored.
A big crowd assembled outside the sta
ton, al J. lining the streets, on which traf-
ac had been stopped by the police, gave the
Americans, who carried the Stars and
Stripes and their ships co1ors, a rousing
welcome.
Lord Mayor Receives Officers.
Arriving at the GuiIdhall, the visitors
formed in quadrangle while the band
played THE Star Spangled Banner" Sir
Thomas received Commander Sims and his
officers in the reception hall, and before
luncheon was served, accompanied by the
sheriffs and aldermen in their robes of
office, passed around the dining hall greet
ing guests. The bluejackets were seated at
long tables In the main hall. At the head
table was the Lord Mayor, with Commander
Sims at his right and with the aldermen
and uniformed officers around them. In
the gallery Lady Strong. wife OF the Lord
Mayor, entertained Mrs. Reid, wife of the
American Ambassador, and the wives OF
the visiting officers. The menu was simple,
but plentiful, including turkey and great
barons of beef, carried in with pompous
ceremony, plum pudding and mince pie
The dining was followed first by formal
toasts TO King George and President Taft.
Sir Thomas then welcomed the sailors. He
said that it had been privilege to receive
the officers of the American feet yester-
day and that the Corporation of the City Of
London was equally proud to receive in
the same hall to-day the men of the Amer
lean navy, adding:
at offer the hearttest welcome OF Eng
land, where no one is more popular than the
man behind the gun The American Jack
Tar is regarded with large share of that
affection which is felt for our own men.
Refers to Great Americans.
Sir Thomas referred to the great sailors
and other notable men who had stood IN
the same hall among the foremost Ameri-
Replying, Commander Sims spoke with
enthusiasm of the friendly manner in which
the men of the feet had been received in
London. This, he said could not happen
in any other country, but was made posi-
bic by the strong ties of blood between the
two countries. Speaking for himself, he
believed that If the time ever came when
the British Empire was menaced by an ex-
ternal enemy they might count on every
man, every drop of blood, every ship and
every dollar of their kindred across the sea-
Chief Boatswain's Mate e. L. Benson, of
the battleship Minnesota, replied on behalf
of the men, expressing thanks for the en-
tertainment in a neat speech which took
the Englishmen present by surprise. and
which was frequently interrupted by the
guests with spontaneous cheers for the
Lord Mayor and the City of London.
vaudeville performance followed. Later
sailors marched to Dorchester House, where
a reception was given by Ambassador and
Mrs Reid. It was the first time that blue
Jackets had been entertained at en-
bassy-
At Crystal Palace to-day a football elev-
en- from the battleship Idaho defeated the
team from the battleship Connecticut, Of
the first division, by a score Of to 0. there
by winning the navy cup.