New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-12

building and pIOceeueu 70 NHe h'N0'
manic Chamber.
Sun Shines on Reception
Traces of the FIRE Of the day before
had been cleared away both inside and
outside the historic structure. Toe
Stars and Stripes waved from the
charred hnd ruined tower, between the
Union Jack and Trcolor. The sun
sbone brightly throughout the visit OF
the distinguished guests, and no
showers threatened "a on the day or
the reception 70 the French mission.
The vanguard Of the mounted police
escort appeared at the west entrance
of the plaza at few minutes after 4
o'clock. The troops Of the lst Cavalry
Of Brooklyn followed. The automobile
bearing Mr.. balfour. Mr.. Choato. Am
bassador Spring Rice and Theodore
Rousseau. the Mayors secretary, DIRE"
up in front OF the Hall at 4:lO
over an hour after the commission was
scheduled 70 arrive. The cars carry
ing the other members Of the mis-.
sion. its attaches and members OF
the reception committee ioiiowed
closely. The tn Regiment Band and
the Veteran Artillery Corps Band
struck up Rule Britannia" az the ap,
pesrance OF the Balfour car. the schoo!
children cheered and waved their flags
and tho thousands Of people outside
the green hedge OF the court took up
the shouts.
Received by Mayor
George r. Wilson. chairman Of the
81 Tho haUNV'g o.
ception committee. and Dock Commis-
sioner r. A. {. Smith met the guests
az the foot Of the City Hall steps
Mayor Mitchell received them as they
mounted the scarlet carpeting o. the
steps. at the entrance 70 the Hall. Mr.
Choste and Lieutenant William Ken
mel. the Mayors bodygusrd, walked on
either side OF the former British Prime
Minister. Lieutenant General Bridges
Admiral de Chair, Lord Cunlife and
the other members of the mission
followed, escorted by members Of the
committee.
Mayor Mitchell said in part:
1--WE bid you welcome TO the City Of
New York with all our hearts. We
greet you in the name of liberty who
come to us as allies in this great world
struggle for the preservation Of democ-
racy. | present to you the representa-
lives OF our civil government and this
assembly Of citizens. who represent all
the activities of our civic life. Your
country, gentlemen, and mine are en-
gagged in q common war of self-pres-
ervation. We are struggling, and we
shall struggle, through the months
that are TO come. toward 9 common
goal. That goal, as our President has
said. is the safety of democracy upon
the earth"
The Mayor declared that although
the United States had actually been in
the war for only thirty days, the sym
pathies and convictions OF the Ameri-
can people had been with the Allies for
long time. He said he hoped the
hour would soon arrive when American
troops would be on the firing line with
the British and French.
Choate's Address
The Mayor introduced Mr.. Choate as
New York's foremost citizen. and Mr..
Balfour stepped down from the raised
platform and cordially shook his hand.
Mr.. Choate referred feelingly 70 the
"six happy years that | spent in Eng
land when ] was sent abroad for the
good Of my country" and declared that
during all that time Mr.. Balfour had
stood firmly for friendship between
England and the United States. Mr..
Choate said this country was unused
to war, and did not know exactly how
to carry il on according to the modern
methods. He said that it was great
IL. Lot h. ,otf tt.n cd %
soners had come here ito show US
what to do, and especially what not to
do"
I'VE hesitated, we doubted, We hung
back" he said, mot from any lack OF
sympathy, not from any lack OF en-
thusiasm, not because we did not know
what was the right path, but how TO
take il and when to take il was always
the question. feared at one time
that we might not have the good for
tune TO enter the war at all. feared
afterward for a very considerable
time that we might be tempted to en-
ter into il for some selfish purpose,
for the punishment of sggressions
against our individual, national, per-
sonal rights, for the destruction OF
American ships or of few American
lives, ample ground for war; but we
waited, and il turns now that we waited
wisely. because we were able at last
to enter into this great contest, this
great contest Of the whole world, for
noble and lofty purposes, such as never
attracted nations before"
Ovation for Balfour
As Mayor Mitchell introduced Mr..
Balfour the assemblage broke into
thunderous cheers. Men waved their
hats and the crowd followed the call
Of someone in the gallery for three
cheers for England's great statesman"
Mr.. Balfour said;
you, Mr.. Mayor, in words that
bresthed the spirit of noble and self
sacrificing love Of liberty, have told US
why it is that you welcome in this en-
thusiastic and whole-hearted fashion
our mission from the far off scene OF
war. You have told US that America
could no longer stand aloof, but must
take her part in this worlds struggle
and must bear a share, and IL will be
great share, in that contest for the
liberties Of mankind which is now NOV
ing every corner of the earth.
"The United States have thrown all
they possess Of manhood, Of wealth
and Of those high qualities which are
better than wealth and greater, and
greater even in the cause OF terrestrial
fighting, than wealth. They have
thrown all those resources into the
common stock; they are going to share
our fortunes, share our trials, share
our struggles, and, Mr.. Mayor, share
our triumphs.
Those who had the good fortune to
drive through the streets OF the city up
to this hall am sure must have been
astounded at the whoe-hearted exhibit
ton OF enthusiasm which from every
street, from every window, from every
house, made itself visible and audibl,