New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25

not only free governments Of the Al
lied nations and the neutral nations,
but Of Germany ITSELF
Tribute 10 Balfour
The speaker paid handsome tribute
10 Mr.. Balfour. the visiting British
Cabinet minister, whom he knew both
as leader Of the House Of Commons and
as Prime Minister. "The most compe-
tent, the most wise. the most sagacious,
the most friendly of all EnglishWen,'
he called him.
"And then there are Niviani and
JOffrc. two Of Frances greatest men
Mr.. Choate went on in his discussion
Of the two Allied commissions. 81
noticed that when the nashlight was
cast upon the tricolor there was more
enthusiasm and ardent applause among
you than at any other demonstration
that has been made here this after
noon. But suppose they could appear
in New York and receive the greetings
Of the people of this great city what
a thunder Of applause would roll across
the ocean,"
The flag incident to which Mr.. Choate
had reference occurred before the
speeches began. As the guests were
finishing their coffee bugle at the
back of the ballroom sounded the call
TO colors and color guard OF blue
Jackets marched in and around to the
further side Of the room, where stout
white flagstaff lowered conspicuously
above the tables. On this they hoistcd
a large American flag, while chorus
Of male voices from rear balcony
4sTho CporcrloI lopnqr
As the flag reached the top Of the
staff a rush Of air from little holes in
the staff whipped it out taut; the
lights we're dimmed, and searchlights
from behind were trained on its rip
pling folds There was great applause
Stirred by Tricolor
The same performance was repeated
for the British flag, which was raised
on a smaller flagstaff across the room.
while the chorus sang God Save the
King" And finally, opposite the Union
Jack, the French tricolor was flung
aloft TO the strains Of the "Marseil-
laise." Il was the sight Of the French
flag thus honored which stirred every
heart to its depths and provoked cheer
ing that eclipscd the two previous
demonstrations, great as these had
been.
Frank B. Noycs. president of The A.
ISOLATED Press. who presided, thanked
God that neutrality had been cast
aside.
Never have the splendid ideals, not
alone of our country but Of the world Of
democracy. been more greatly stated
he said ethan on a night but fe"
weeks past in the Capitol building al
Washington. Calmly. deliberately, wise
~, our chosen leader has assembled
behind him a united nation, anxious
to do its full part in this terrible or
deal by battle. taking its place side by
side with those others whose blood and
treasure have been so freely spent,
highly resolved that those dead shall
not have died in vain
an every past great national crisis
that we have met God has raised up
a leader truly great, who has typified
America, her hopes and her ideals. In
this day OF national peril He has not
failed us"
President Sends Greeting
Mr.. Noyes proposed toast to the
President. which was drunk standing
and followed with great applause. lie
introduced then Melville h. stone. VINO
said he had just been called to the
telephone to receive this message from
Washington:
"Mr Frank B. Noyes,
president Of The Associated Press;
81 greatly regret that my duties here
prevent my being present with The
Associated Press. II would have given
me real pleasure to discuss with them
the present interests Of the nation and
to exchange with them pledges of I'M
questioned loyalty and devotion to the
people and the government rot only,
but TO the cause of freedom every
where. WOODROW NlLoON',
The only other speaker was ex-Judge
Peter S. Grosscup, who could see in in.
ternational law the agency which should
finally bind the different states Of Eu-
rope into a loose federation Of peace
full neighbors.
Among the other diners seated at the
sneakers table were Major General
Leonard Wood, clad in a khaki UNI
form; DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler,
Frederick Roy Martin, General c. Il.
Taylor. Clark Howell and Adolph 5.
Ockg