The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-24
ANNEXATION TALK
GIVEN THE LAUGH
Canadian Premier's Address
Feature of a Great Anglo
American Dinner.

London, May 24.-The dinner of the
Pilgrims society last night In honor OF
the Colonial Premiers was historic be.
cause of unexpected and noteworthy
plain speaking by Sir Wilfred Laurier.
the Premier Of Canada.
Sir Wilfred, addressing an audience
composed OF many Of the great men
Of England. handled the annexation
question without gloves. He began by
expressing amazement that during his
three days stay In England he had
heard SO many persons OF standing
vOicing doubts concerning the designs
of the United States regarding Cana
da. He scoffed at the idea OF the pos
sibility of annexation being seriously
considered on either side Of the bor-
der. He expressed In warm terms his
ted States, but declared that much as
he loved the American people he loved
Great Britain better.
Canada. In sharing the continent
with the United States, he said. had
double interest In the treaty Of arbi.
tration between the United States and
the United Kingdom, and he exclaim.
ed dramatically:
~ thank God that the relations be-
tween the two peoples never were SO
good AZ they are today"
Unparalleled In History.
The Premier aroused enthusiasm
when he said that Canada and the
show to the world two nations with
the longest boundary. extending from
ocean to ocean, living in peace and
mutual respect without fortress. a
soldier or gun on either side OF that
boundary.
The dinner was In contrast to the
one held during former imperialistic
conference, because that was Of pure
ly British imperialistic tone. while
lAngloAmerican relations were almost
the sole topic last night.
Lord Roberts presided and welcom.
ed the Premiers. Sir Edward Grey,
the Foreign Secretary, proposed "Ang-
so-American arbitration" without add
ing anything significant to his former
utterances on this subject. He ex-
pressed pleasure at the arrival OF the
draft of the treaty from Washington.
The negotiations, he said. would enter
the domain Of practical politics. and
he sincerely hoped that the treaty
would be concluded.
Says There 10 No Conflict.
There IL no conflict OF national poll
cies between us and the United
States" he said. I'VE have conf
dence In each others good WILL"
Defining the Monroe Doctrine as
meaning that no European nation
should acquire more territory on the
american continent. he added:
"Our policy Is In full accord with
that doctrine"
The American Consul General. John
l.. Griffiths. responded. He said 1t was
Q matter OF qualification and pride to
the American people when President
Taft struck the highest moral note OF
his generation, and he recalled with
what sense OF exaltation they received
Sir Edward Grey's reply. The speak
or ridiculed the suggestion that with
out periodical strife men became weak
and dwelt upon the romance of peace
happy homes and populous cities.
III the proposed treaty Is conclud
ed" he said, I'VE can see in vision
nation after nation animated by the
lsame high purpose"
A message was sent to the King by
the diners. and the Secretary of the
lsociety, Harry Britain. read this re
sply: ....
"The King thanked the Pilgrims fol
their kind congratulations on his ap
tproaching coronation. He earnestl,
hopes that the high ideals which the
society has In view may be completed!