The Washington herald., 1911-05-01
'COLORED AUDIENCE
HEARS AMBASSADOR
Hon. James Bryce Points Out
Benefits of Y. N. C. A.
LAuDs PROGRESS OF RACE
Friend Of Kings and Emperors Also
Shows Himself to BE Friend of
Address at the Howard Theater.
Jurists and Lawyers Present.

Friend Of kings and emperors, Of diplo-
mats and statesmen, known throughout
the world, the British Ambassador. James
Bryce, also proved himself to be the
friend Of the negro race yesterday. In a
lengthy address before a large audience
composed Of members Of the Colored Y.
NJ. c. A. at Howard Theater. Mr.. Bryce
spoke in glowing terms of the progress
made during the last half century by the
men whose ancestors were brought to
American in chains by Europeans"
I'VE must atone for what our progeni-
tors did to yours by aiding you in every
way and endeavoring to assist you in at
tanning the highest pinnacle Of civiliza-
ton and progress" said Mr.. Bryce, amid
a great ovation.
1t was the first time in history that an
ambassador Of Great Britain has ad-
dressed a negro audience in America.
On the stage with the eminent Briton
were leading Y. NJ c. A. workers Of
Washington, in addition to several we'll
known jurists and lawyers. among them
being United States Commissioner Anson
Taylor, H. B. F. Macfarland, DR.. Gallau-
det; DR.. Wilbur Thirkield, president Of
Howard University; George Otis Smith,
president of the Washington branch Of
the Y. NJ. c. A, and others.
Given Great Ovation.
While the audience sang God Save the
King" Ambassador Bryce and Mrs.
Bryce entered the theater. The Ambas-
sador was given a great ovation. In in
Producing the chief speaker, Mr.. Mac
farland said:
I'VE are fortunate to have with us one
who represents not only the King of
England and the British empire, but who
also interprets to us the sentiment of
the people of the great nation who re-
posed in him their confidence. It is not
only great honor. but a great privilege.
to show him the most gracious hospital
ity Of which We are capable
Beginning his remarks by references to
the associations work as whole, Mr.
Bryce expressed his strong sense Of the
admirable services which the organiza-
tior is rendering all over the world He
had seen long ago in England. and more
recently in the United States and Can
ada, and in the course of journey which
he had made last autumn in South
America he had been led to realize, the
great value not only to Europeans and
Americans settled in such great cities
as Buenos Ayres, Rio de Janiero and
Monte Video, but also to the South
Americans themselves, to whom such So
c.eties founded on a religious but alb
solutely nonsectarian basis were new
things.
Benefits Pointed Out.
or the value Of the association as
enabling young men to find congenial
friends and occupations for their leisure
hours, both congenial and useful. 1t was
needless to speak. The Ambassador
pointed out the benefit was especially
great to young men coming from rural
districts to great cites, where they had
few or no friends.
He understood that among the MEM
bers of the branch he was addressing
there were a good many British subjects,
natives of the West Indies. He expressed
his pleasure at meeting them and his
wishes for their welfare. In the British
West Indies the colored people had an
open field and every chance of making
useful careers, he said. Here in Wash
ington they found in Howard University
anc other academic and technical insti-
tutlons opportunities for obtaining higher
instruction than the smaller West In
dian Islands could provide: and they
could also see the endeavor to under
stand vast civilized society with all its
economic and political developments,
which was on an incomparably grander
scale than anything they had seen at
home. So. he said, he had no doubt they
would profit by their residence in WASH
ington.
Loud applause frequently interrupted
the speaker.