Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-25
Premier Laurier Handles the Cues
ton without Gloves at Lon
don Banquet.
LOVES GREAT BRITAIN BEST
Believes Day Will Come When
All nglish-Speaking Lands
Will Be Allied for World
Peace.

London, May 23.--Tho dinner of the
Pilgrims society tonight in honor OF tho
colonial premiers was noteworthy because
of unexpected plain-spcaliing by Sir Will
frid Laurier the premier of Canada,
who. addressing an audience composed
of many of the great men of England.
handled the annexation question without
gloves.
Sir Wilfrd began by expressing amaze
ment that during his three days stay
in England he had heard so many peo-
pie of standing voicing doubts concern
ing the designs of the United states
regarding Canada. He scoffed at the
possibility of annexation being seriously
considered on either side of the border
He expressed in warm terms his adj
nlration for the people Of the United
States. hut declared that much as he
loved them, he loved Great Britain bet
ter. Canada. sharing the continent with
| the United States. he said had a double
| interest in the treaty of arbitration be-
| tween the Cnitcd States and the United
| Kingdom, and exclaimed: II thank Cod
| that the relations between the two peo-
| pies never were so good as they are to-
| day"
| he declared that Canada and the United
states proposed to continue to show to
the world two nations with the longest
boundary, extending from ocean to ocean.
living in peace and mutual respect. with
out fortress, a soldier or a gun on either
side of that boundary
LORD ROBERTS PRESIDED.
Lord Roberts presided tonight and vel
coined the premicrs Sir Edward Grey
the foreign secretary, proposed Anglo
American Arbitration" without adding
anything significant to his former utter
| ances on this subject. Secretary Grey
declared that the British government
endorsed the Monroe doctrine.
"The United States has said that the
United States has no intention of absorb
ing any existing British possessions"
continued Sir Edward. There is no con-
h'ct of national policy between us and
the United States. We have confidence
In each others good will"
The American consul-ccneral. John /.
Grifiiths, responded. He said it was n
matter of qualification ard 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 Greys reply.
This Is the first time since that his
| toric declaration" said the consul-gen-
eral, that the representatives. of all
| EnGlish-speaking countries have boon
gathered together, forming a sort of
| informal social Anglo-Saxon parliamcnt
and have had the opportunity of OK
pressing their complete approval Of those
|
discovery is sometimes made simultane-
ousiy in two different lands. so we find
| the same lofty moral ambition in two
great statesmen dwelling far apart. and
| the suggestion of the one ana tho ros-
ponse of the other constitute The annooI
or the 10Th century to the conscience
of mankind
| RlDICtLEs NEED OF WAR.
| The imagination IS profoundly stirred
os we try 10 anticipate the beneficent re-
suits that would follow if England and
-'merica enter into a covenant of peace
which would govern mutual relations of
NOR" than 5o"o0",o0 of people" The
speaker rdiculed the suggestion tina,
without war men become weak.
| II the proposed treaty is concluded"
ne said, we can see in vision nation after
| nation animated ny the same high DUR
pose"
| message was sent to the King, who
replied through his secretary:
The King thanks the Pilgrim. for thci-
E'hd congratulations on his approaching
coronation. lie earnestly hopes that the
| hlgh ideals which the society have I'm
view may be completely realized"
Inc Canadian premicr's speech was
impressive. lie spoke AT length on the
immigration OF Americans 10 Gambia
ana the approhensions he had heard
expressed that they might threaten the
integrity of the Dominion. lie said that
the majority of them took tho oath of
allegiance to George V 1t was natural
for men coming from country where
they had been reared in the traditions
of English institutions to return TO al
legiance to tho British King. They had
found in Canada the same opportunitv
ana the same freedom under the laws
which they had on tho other side Of
the border. Moreover. they had found
that democracy under British mon
nrchy was not less than under a re-
public
LAURIER GREATLY APPLAUDED.
II the United states attempted to annex
Canada. continued the premier, it would
| not be by force Of arms but by seduction.
| In that event Canada would reply as
| Diogenes did 10 Alexander stand out
| OF my sun" There was sun enough for
| both.
The last words Of the Canadian premier
We're almost drowned in applause I'VE
| believe" he said, that the day will come
| Of an alliance of all lands springing from
| England's loins, ensurlng the peace of
| the world forever"