New-York tribune., 1918-07-05

Great Enthusiasm Marks
Celebration of Fourth
in London
--
Volleys of Cheers
For Sims and Biddle
Winston Churchill Pays
Glowing Tribute to What
America Has Done

america K1dS lone
LONDON, July 4.--Britain's salts
faction with the growing friendship
of the two greatest English speaking
nations was the keynote Of London's
formal celebration of Americas Inde-
pendence Day, held to-day in Central
Hall, across from Westminster Abbey.
Winston Spencer Churchill, Minister
Of Munitions and representative of the
British government, proposing "a greet
ing to the President and people of the
United States" said that by the Amer
lean Declaration Of independence. Brit
ain both lost and saved an empire,
learning new lessons and new prin-
ciples by chat great declaration which
was not alone American.
In the future peace, he said, the Ger
man people would be protected by the
same principles of right and freedom
written and implied in the Declaration
of Independence, for which the Allies
are fighting.
Viscount Bryce Presides
Viscount Bryce, formerly Ambassa-
dor to the United States. presided at
the meeting and spoke feelingly of the
past and present relationship of the
two nations. George II. Putnam, of
New York, proposed a resolution of
satisfaction over the new union in
arms, which was seconded by Professor
Candy, Of Yale. That the great work
which Britain and America have un-
dertaken together might prosper and
achieve and safeguard the freedom of
the world, and that their fellowship
might bring an unending friendship,
was the prayer of the Lord Bishop
Of London
rive hundred seats were allotted to
American soldiers and sailors. The
hall was crowded. The meeting opened
with the band of the Coldstream
Guards playing the 'Star-Spangled
Banner" A shout of Three cheers
for Woodrow Wilson!" met a hearty
response and another "For the King!"
/ brought a new outburst.
Enthusiasm marked the meeting
throughout. The band played many
American airs. The Britishers did not
hesitate to applaud even yankee
Doodle"
U. S. Commanders Cheered
The appearance of General Bddle
and Admiral Sims in the auditorium
was greeted enthusiastically. Their
references to the American forces and
the determination of their country to
fight until the war was won brought
out frantic waving of flags and vol
leys of cheers.
All American organizations in Lon
don had representatives at the meet
ing and blocks of seats were set aside
for wounded British, French, Belgian
and Italian soldiers.
The international character of the
meeting was emphasized at it's close,
when the band played and the audience
sang. First one verse Of "God Save
the King" and then America"
Viseount Bryces Speech
In opening the meeting, Viscount
Bryce. who presided, said:
"For many year to-day was cele-
brated in the United States with hos
tility and defiance. By us in Britain
! 1t was remembered with sorrow as
! marking the severance of precious ties.
And now, after one hundred and forty
two years, it is being celebrated by
both peoples with like enthusiasm
by the children of those who revolted
against the British Crown, as by the
the loss Of one of that Crowns choicest
jewels.
"What has been q day of anger on
one side and grief on the other has
become for both day Of affection and
rejoicing"
If some political connection had been
preserved. said Viscount Bryce, the
War of 1912. an unmixed evil for both
nations, would have been avoided, and
come practically selfg governing, like
Canada, the mediation of the mother
country probably would have averted
the war of secession and assured the
peaceable extinction Of slavery.
"On the other hand" he continued,
"it may have been we'll for us and the
world that no state so powerful as
Great Britain and America united
would have been, should have grown
up. A state SO immensely strong
might have led into aggression and
IA passion whose fatal consequences
we see in the moral degradation Of
Prussianized Germany"
Call of Duty Answered
Viscount Bryce said the bitterness
w A'io uSVcl COulu nave arisen naQ
the will of the British people ruled
then as it rules to-day.
"The severance came," he said, "be-
cause we had then a perverse court
and a n-representative Parliament"
Engishmen scarcely yet realized the
new departure America took when she
entered the war.
But" he continued, "when America
saw every principle of right over
ridden, every sentiment Of humanity
cast to the winds, America strobe fortl,
in her strength Duty called OH her
to save the world, and she answered
the call of duty.
while in American cities the older
men have been watching with breath
less anxiety for every report along the
cables from the imperilled front in
France. we see the young soldiers of
America come swarming over the ocean
in an evergrowing host, which begins
to be counted by millions. They come
with the passion of Crusaders, eager
to bear the shock of battle in 4 sacred
cause.
"'The New World has come to re-
dress the balance Of the Old Its fresh
and fiery spirit has the promise Of
victory.
"This spirit, this zeal to serve the
cause of right; this sense of common
duty and common purpose; these perils
which the American and British SOL
diers-citizens' armies drawn from the
pcOple-arc facinp side hy sida--.l