The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-29
DINNER IN HONOR OF !. JOHN H. HAMMOND
Interesting After : Dinner
 Speeches Made
CHEERS FOR TREATY
Scene of Enthusiasm Follows Reading of Message Stating That Inter- national Arbitration Was a
 Practical Certainty

grim's society tonight in honor of John Hays Hammond, special American am- bassador at the coronation, gave occasion for four speeches which were considered by all present the best exhibitions of aft er-dinner oratory heard in London for a long time. The speakers were Arthur |. Balfour former prime minister: Mir. Ham mond August,n 3irrell. chief secretary for Ireland and Chauncey NJ. Depew, former United States senator. Covers were laid for 250
 | There was a scene of enthusiasm when a message was read that as the result of conference between Secretary of State Knox and Ambassador Bryce a treaty had been practically arranged for the two countries.
 After a felicitious reference to the pres ence of MT. Hammond as the representa- tive of the great democracy of the west, MT. Balfour observed that Americans had their problems of empire and other diff cuties just as Great Britain did, and whatever temporary quarrels had from time to time appeared between England and the United States, the realities of his tory were too strong for them. They could not help being in sympathy with each other.
 EnamOred of Liberty
 Both countries were enamored of lib- erty; both had the same ideals and sure- ly 1t was predestined that in the world s history of the future they should work together. not by formal alliance, but by deep sympathy in aims and ideals for the cause of civilization and progress.
 Special Ambassador Hammond, in re- spending to Mir. Balfours toast, ex- pressed in behalf of his countrymen appreciation for the presence of MT, Balfour and other distinguished British statesmen and complimented the Pil- grim societies of London and New York for giving opportunities for the re- spective peoples to be ,ome better ac- quainted. He alluded to the difficulties surrounding the diplor-atie representa- tive in choosing a topic for public ut terance. For this reason he had chosen the subject of Peace" as one that could not offend the most sensitive and one particularly appropriate since the coronation had brought together, in friendly concourse, the representatives OI all lHS udllOHS ol tut moliu'
 Similar Treaties
 He believed the arbitration treaty between the United States and Great Britain would speedily be followed by similar treaties with other powers, paving the way for universal peace. Every patriotic Englishman, every pa triotic American, irrespective of polit- ical bias, should join in fervent prayer for the speedy consummation of this noble purpose.
 Secretary Birrell proposed "the Amer ican visitors" to which Mir. DePew made a delicious speech in response.
 Among the diners were Ambassador Reid and the staff of the American embassy, Special Ambassador Ham mond's staffs and sons. Home Secretary Churchill, Lord Alverstone, lord chief justice of England; Charles P. Taft, Richard c. Kerens, the American am bassador to Austria Hungary, and John L. Griffiths, the American consul gen eral at London; Richard A. Westcott' deputy consul general; w. IL Crocker Cyrus H. Mccormick. James Mcdonald, Clarence Moore, H. G. Selfridge, Joseph Pennel and Sir Joseph Lawrence.
 Small and Jolly" Party
 One of the uueerest society functions Of the coronation season was given tonish. hy Sir Phillip Burned ones, the pdiiltei' and Sir Richard and Lady Muriel Paget at the Burne-Jones residence. which was converted for the occasion to resemble an atelier in the quarter Latin.
 It was styled small and jolly" and was intended to be Bohemian contrast to the usual society parties. All the chairs were removed and there were no floral decorations. Formal receptions were dispensed with and the guests huddled on the floor on rugs, on the staircase, or Tn the back garden, the men smoking .'church wardens," and some of the wom- en cigarettes.
 If they wanted refreshments they had to help themselves from a big cask Of lager beer which stood in the corner Of the room, wreathed with green It was a free and easy affair, all quaffing beer and joining in the chorus of the Drinking Song"
 ToothsOme Spread
 But the supper, somewhat inconsistent- ly. was one of epcurean delicacy It was served on the floor or the stairs or wher- ever there was room to put plate.
 A very distinguished company, who left all their tiaras and crowns at home, in- oluded the Duchess of Marlborough, the Duchess of Somerset, the Duchess of Rut- land, Lady Betty Balfour, Miss Violet Asouith. Mrs. John Jocob Astor the Duke of Somerset, Lord and Lady Drogheda, Lady Elcho, Sir Edward Pointer. Mrs. Jack Leslie, Miss Maxine Elliot and Mile. Genee