New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-26
HONOR Mr.. PHILLIPS
Former Secretary to Embassy
at London Guest of Pilgrims.
JOSEPH H. CH0ATE SPEAKS
Elk Ambassador to Court of st
James's Says Diplomats
Should Have Life Job.

William Phillips, until recently hrst sec
rotary to the American Embassy at Lon
don. was the guest of the Pilgrims Of the
United States at luncheon given in his
honor yesterday at the Whitehall Club,
on the thirtieth floor of the Whitehall
Building,
"The strength Of the American embas-
sizes" said Joseph II. Choate, under whom
Mr.. Phillips once served as private sec
rotary, rs like that of chain 1t is as
strong as It's weakest link, and the
strength Of the embassy depends upon its
secretary. Mr., Phillips came 10 me In
the fourth year I was in London, and
needless to say. the success of the rest OF
my time of service was assured"
Mr.. Choate, who declared he believed
in diplomacy as a career and was OPP
posed to the practice of filling diplomatic
posts at foreign cities and capitals by
each successive administration, said fur
Their:
81 am not certain OF the attitude OF
woodrow Wilson on that question. IL II
were our Wilson here"-indicating George
Il
committee Of the Pilgrims, who acted as
toastmaster-'T would feel more at ease.
woodrow Wilson" he continued rs a
very distinguished man and patriotic
citizen. We should all Join hands In hold
| ing up his arms and promote the success
of his administration. One thing we
should all further is an understanding
of the Importance OF the foreign service
Of the United States.
'It should be understood that the for
| eign service Is essentially a career, and
upon entering It man often turns his
back upon more lucrative places at home.
To recall diplomats unexpectedly Is un-
| fair 10 them and not for the most good
of any nation"
| Tie speaker said MT. Phillips services
| had been great, when his scanty years
were considered.
! For two years he was my secretary at
| the American Embassy at London he
continued. During that time he was
very successful IN managing the ladies OF
| England with whom my Office had 10
deal, while I managed the men. The two
succeeding years he spent in Picking as
secretary to the American Legation After
serving in his own country as third As
sistant Secretary OF State. ne returned
again 10 the American Embassy at Lon
don. where he was first secretary 10 Am
bassador Reid"
Mr.. Phillips said the last persons 70 en-
terrain him before he left for homo were
the Pilgrims OF England. and he brought
from them a message OF greeting and
affection.
when I first went TO England" he
said, 1T was with the comfortable feel
ing that Englishmen and Americans were
alike and that I would have little diff
Guilty in understanding them. Then fol-
lowed the realization that the English
were complex, not only in their ideals
but in their general outlook on life.
Il was disappointed, but ! soon found
that I had not really learned their Ian
guage I studied them assiduously and
soon grew to think as the Englishman
thought, to see things with his eyes.
Then grew TO know the Englishman and
| TO love him.
II learned that the Englshman and the
| American were both good fellows and, ~
| they understood the language Of each
other, could be very sympathetic"
The speaker said he had discontinued
his duties on the other side Of the Allan
tic for the present and would return with
all speed to Boston, which 10 him was,
and would always be, the Hub OF the
| Universe