New-York tribune., 1918-12-09
Message From George Says
He Prays Unity With the
u. S. Will Be Lasting
Sentiment Echoed Here
Prediction of the Possibility
of War Is Called ''Hearst
Lie" at Theatre Rally

That Britain Day signifies something
more than a mere courtesy between
nations was the keynote of speeches
made yesterday afternoon at the Hip
podrome. where tremendous crowd
paid New York's tribute to the war
achievements of England and her
colonies.
'Not only are we bound to Great
Britain by political ties" declared
Charles f. Hughes. the first speaker,
NOR are we only bound to her by a
sense of obligation for services and
sacrifices which in variety and extent
have no parallel in history and which
kept US from becoming the next victim
of a ruthless and brutal despotism;
there is between us real affinity of
democratic ideals and moral purposes
that shall be perpetual"
Sir Henry Darlington Smith, British
High Commissioner, said:
81 believe that this gathering does
not represent a passing wave of emo
tion. believe that the unity of all the
Allies, which won us the war, will be
preserved through the momentous days
leading up to and following the con-
summation of just peace.
Prediction Called Hearst Lie
Let me warn you," he continued,
chat the Germans hope ultimately to
gain their ends by diplomatic means
and the creation of dissension among
the Allies. There are those in this
country who are working toward such
conclusion. There are those who pre-
dict the next war will be between Eng
land and the United States"
That's not America; that's a Hearst
lle!" shouted man in the audience,
who afterward gave his name as Alfred
E. Henderson, of Aeolian Hall, and the
theatre went into an uproar of hand
clapping and applause.
Sir Henry expressed himself as deep
ly touched by the celebration which
eliminated at the Hippodrome
1--WE Britons do not wear our hearts
upon our sleeves" he said, land some
times we say the least when we are
most deeply and strongly moved. But
| can assure you that nothing evolving
from the crueible of war is more dear
to Britain than he unity of the Eng
disappearing peoples of the earth"
Gompers Praises British Policy
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, told of
his trip to Europe to rally the ranks
of labor in the Entente countries and
read a bitter criticism of himself,
cabled to Berlin from London, and ex-
pressing the hope "that Compers would
fail and that negotiated peace would
be demanded by the allied working
classes The dispatch was dated Sep
tember 20 of this year.
Mr.. Gompers stated frankly that he
had often been in disagreement with
England's policy in the past, particu-
iarly with regard to Ireland and the
Beers, but that Lloyd George felt the
same way on those questions.
II am speaking of the England of to-
day." he continued "The action of the
Beers, who, less than two decades otter
they wre conquered, volunteered gladly
to fight for the empire, is the creates
testimony in history to tn policy of any
nation"
DR.. George f. Vincent head Of the
Rockefeller Institute, said that to him
the character of Great Britain was best
summed up by the motto of her men,
"Be a good sportsman and play the
game"
Judge Alton B. Parker, who, as the
American head of the Sulgrave Insti-
tute and as the chairman of the ma
tional Britain Day Committee, presided
at the meeting. read more than a score
of messages from prominent Br;tons
and Americans commencing Britain
Day.
The reading of the message of King
George of England was followed by
host of others from the great men Of
the nations allied against the Central
Powers in the world war. Seemingly
prophetic utterances from the letters
of two great Americans, Thomas Jeffer-
son and Abraham Lincoln, also were
read.
King Georges message follows:
II am deeply touched by your tele-
gram announcing that December and
8 will be celebrated throughout the
United States of America as British
Day. The people of the British Empire
join with me in thanking you and those
associated with you for your efforts in
promoting this celebration, which will
be welcomed as proof of the true and
lasting friendship of the United States.
ut will be particular satisfaction
to my navy and army 10 feel that they
have won the esteem of the nation
which has sent SO many gallant men to
suffer with them the trials of this great
war and to share in the glories of final
victory. In the name Of the British
Empire. | thank the people of the
United States of America and | pray