Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-19
BRITAIN WELCOMES
AMERICA INTO WAR
Both Houses of Parliament Adopt
Resolutions Expressing Pro-
found Appreciation.
SITTING WILL BE HISTORICAL
Former Premier Asquith Refers
to 1t as One of Most Disin-
tcrested Acts of History.
SITTING WILL BE HISTORICAL
IBy Associated rrcssl

by Associated Prcssl
LONDON. April ls.-To- days sitting
Of the Brtish Parliament will he Il
historical landmark Both The leris-
lative houses adopted-the House OF
Lords unanimously. and the House of
Commons with one dissenting vote
resolutions expressing the profound
appreciation OF the British marion for
the action of the United states gov
ernment and people in entering the
world war in defense Of the high cause
of freedom and the rights OF humanity.
The unusual Importance Of the oc-
casion was shown in the crowded state
of the galleries in the House of Com
mons. Among those in the galleries
we're Walter Hines Page. the Ameri-
can ambassador. and many other
Americans. well as tho representa-
tives OF the entente allied states. An
unaccustomcd air of enthusiasm was
given the occasion.
The resolution in the House OF Com
mons was moved by Andrew Bonar
Law. Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Former Premier Asquith seconded II in
an eloquent speech. The resolution in
the House Of Lords was introduced by
l.
dent of the Council.
In al, the speeches in both houses
particular reference was made to
Americas purely disintcrested inter-
vention. the most disinterested in his
tory. s MIR. .AsQuith phrased 1.-THE
complete absence of any motive Of self
interest. calculation or ambition. Mr.
Asquith pointed out that neither. the
liberty nor independence OF the United
states was imperiled
IT was the constraininE force Of
conscience and humanity" he added
TO AMERICA WILL FALL. TASK
OF BASING PEACE ON LIBERTY
John Dillon. one Of the Nation,,i.,
leaders. in a fervent speech supporting
the resolutions. predicted that irish
men, in proportion to their population.
would outnumber all races among the
soldiers of the republic. To America.
Mr. Dillon said. will fan the blessed
task OF basing peace upon liberty"
george Wardle, Laborite, also smoke
IN favor Of the resolution. on behalf of
his party. and thus all parties in the
house were represented
In the House of Lords, Earl Curzon
said the entry OF the United States
into the war stamped the struggle as
great uprising OF the conscience OF
mankind TO put an end to the rule OF
Satan on earth.
lhe Presidents speech TO Congress
Earl Curzon added, was a trumpet call
the sound of which would ring through
the ages.
Niscount Bryce. former amha ssador
10 'tne United States alluded TO the
same lofty ideals animating both the
Huis OF Crewe. admitting that the ma
terial resources of the United States
were unsneakably welcome to the en-
tente. said that even more " velcome was
the moral force OF which Earl C,urzon
MAD spoken. The Archbishop of Cam
terbury said that when the elementary
principles of right and wrong were
set at nouSht. there could he no per
manent neutrality among honest men
Great Britain welcomes the entrance
or the United States into the war
Hhdre" bonar Law told the House OF
commons. for the moral Justification
II gives us for our. own action. Aner.
lea, like the British empire. is engaged
In the war from NO desire. from M
iault OF her own, but because she can
do no other
Mr' Law expressed his belief that
The end of the world war is not far
distant
beinG in" he said. 'thc United
states has already shown that bor
enemies must beware of her. and do.
spite the fact that the path inmcdi.
ateiS before us is more difficult than
ever before. venture 10 express Tho
nope and belief that change is com
ihs-that the long night OF sorrow and
anguish which has desolated the world
is drawing TO a close"
Scconding Eonar Laws rcao,r,io,
former Premier Asuuith said:
IS only right and fitting that this
"ouse should at the earliest pos-
s,oie opportunity give definite and en-
phatic expressions TO The feelings
"n'ch throughout the length and the
breadth of the empire have grown day
by day in volume and fervor since the
memorable decision OF the President
and the Congress of the United s,a,es
doubt whether even now the
world realizes the full sirnifcanca of
the step America has taken. do NOT
use the language of fattery or cxar-
geration when say II Is one of the
most disintcrested acts OF history.
AMERICA ALWAYS CLEAR
or FOREIGN ENTA
For more than 100 years il has been
the cardinal principle OF American
policy 10 keep clear OF foreign en-
tanElemcnts. * war such as this
must necessarily dislocatc international
commerce and finance. but on the bal
#nce 1T was doing little appreciabIe
harm TO the material fortunes and
fosperity OF the American people.
What then has enabled the prcsI-
dent--after waiting with the patience
which Pitt described as tho FIRST virtue
OF statesmahshp-to carry with him
united nation into the hazards and
horrors Of the great test war iu his
tory? II was the constraininE force
of conscience and humanity, growing
in strength and compulsive authority
month plymouth. with the gradual un-
folding Of the real character OF Ger
man aims and methods. 1t was that
force alone which brought home 10
the great democracy Oyerseas tho mo-