The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-12
Stars and Stripes Meets Union
Jack and French Tri-color
in Intimate Fashion
BALF0UR, JOFFRE AND
VIVIANI GIVEN OVATION
At Great Banquet at Waldorf
Astoria Visitors Are Made
to reel America Friendship
In the Air

New York. May 11.~-All the
memories Of past glorjes faded into
nothing tonight in the Waldorf AS
toria. The ghosts of dinners and
banquets past fed never to be re-
called.
For under the high gold and blue
arches Of the grand ballroom there
grnet the Union Jack, The hiood-staf't-
ed Tri-Coior. and the deathlcss stars
and Stripes. Hand-to-hand. heart
TO heart. shoulder to shoulder they
met In spirit eft brotherhood that
Grew tears ana cheers and steel-bound
unity
II was the great dinner in honor
o. the British and French war COM
missions with New York city the
host, and France and England the
guests
Maro- Mjtrr1rf spoke hrs representa-
\ tive words Of welcome. appreciation,
honor aud fellowship. Joseph H.
/ Choate. represent nR the finest tYpe OF
American homer and culture. follow
. ed with phrases go fraGght with sim
eertty and simple vows that the
/ Frenchmeu bowed they heads and
the Friton~ steelej their cold eyes
| an.i inheSib.e features against the
| emotion ~ which their Latin allies
sGccumbed.
T. l.5uF end tiS5aui Site.k.
AythHr lanes Raifour, England
| principal secretary ci state for for
ts{yr aHairs, held forth in his own
.-h e4utor apeht The aims of our
a 'hn great war for democracy,
cY ENc aetts OF that came Rome
! %-'ys ana tHt French minister 81 JUS
! arn to ,aost weep forth the story
- Ri heer3-tno tale 81 the rav#ge
~ NJ Beloved France by the Teu-
re- aud 'A- he2NoH-Aorn courage OF
ri r4s.Gtryma the courage that VIII
rot ff1W defeat that viii create
yte.urv in the hlaekcst hour Of his
Ss.ncs there have Seen IN that huge
s7,itfl.e,YY,. HEROES 4sBd ambassadors II
yy4 if5-2f rig f4a ~ &fs ncti1 ffAsed-
NohIaY vep. s3s have been served for
this ~as a ple American fare. And
! The national anthems have there been
.aln% gte; Dusty. ferveutl$ but in all
The history II t}te country, never we're
men SO inspired as When the three
great Anthcms--the Marsellla!se. God
Saw the King. and ths Star-spang!ed
Ranner-arose from those thousand
sbroats triumphal prayer. 1t was
something mere than a mere scene 10
See men In the gold drab and blue
of three armies sing with. real tears
IN their tanned CHEEKS. n WAS some
thing more than a mere picture 10
hear the women III the galleries sob
the hymns IN sheer ecstacy of patriot
tsr, II was worth all the days and
wears of searching cor beauty TO see
General Joffre grasp the hands Of
General Wood and blink in silence
unable 20 speak, unable 10 hear.
Balfour's Speech.
Mr.. Balfour after the cheers which
greeted him died out. referred to thy
sneakers American. who had preceded
ain. and who had urged their country
mel 10 Join the allies, And con.
finued:
PERSONALLY IL was tho right Of these
gentlemen to make that appeal. 1t is
not my right and have not come here
authorized by my government to set
myself up or to set my friends up as
instructors OF the great American nao-
ME. They know and you know how to
manage your affairs and do not re-
ouire us 1t may be, II probably is tho
fact. that a study OF the Purpose, a
very minute study OF the history OF
the war will show those who run and
desire to read there arc certain mis-
takes which great democracy. i'm
nerfectly prepared for war may only
make. We shall he happy 10 describe
those mistakes to you, IL happily 1t
will be your desire to learn the lesson
from them.
"But | do not propose either nov
ar at any other occasion TO set my
self up as an adviser or monitor OF
these great themes. 1t is enough that
proclaim my unalterahle conviction
that we have reached moment In
the worlds history of which the
future. not of this country. but of
VERY country, not of it's interests, but
~ every interest--that the very heart
If ciyilization---is crumbling in the
balance AT that critical moment i,
rs my boundan duty to whatever ma
tion or people to raise my voice ana
TO appeal TO all who will listen to me
4oday in the great task which we
have been bearing for two and a half
years, and which you have cheerfully
and generously determined to take
the very weight upon your should
ers"
Replying to the reception which the
American people gave to the British
commissioners in various parts OF the
country. Mr. Ralfour said:
Vital Issues At Stake.
cit is because they fthe American
people) instinctively feel what is the
vital issue at stake. because they in
stincttvely feel that it Is neither de-
xirahle nor were ii desirable, pos
sibIe for this great republic to hold
Itself aloof from a world in suffering
and not do it's part to redeem man
Continued on Second Page.)