The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-05
CHIEF JUSTICE
 TAFT IS HONOR
 GUEST IN LONDON
Representing Many Powers and Walks in Life, Digni- tarieS Gather as Guests
 of American Society
By Associated Press

London, July 4.-Representatives of many of the powers of the state, church. bench and bar and commerce, forming brilliant assemblage. par ticipated with the United States In an impressive celebration of Independ- enc Day in London on the occasion of the annual banquet of the American Society tonight, at which Chief Jus- tice Taft was the principal guest.
 The American, French, Japanese. Italian, Belgian, German. Brazilian ambassadors, the ministers of Argen- tina and Chile, four members of the British cabinet, the Canadian high commissioner and a host of notable Europeans sat with the former presi- dent of the United States. paying Joint honor to him and Americas inc dependence,
 Dignitaries Attend
 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Wis., count Morley. Sir Thomas Lipton. Lord Riddell and other admirers of America also attended. It was vir- tuelly MT. Taft's last public appear ance in England, and every American prominent in the social and business life of London gave him both stir ring greeting and warm farewell. He leaves for home Saturday.
 The speakers were the American ambassador, George Harvey, Chief Justice Taft, Sir Laming Worthing- ton Evans, Wilsoni Cross, chairman of the American Society and Arch Deacon Cody of Canada.
 The British war minister, paying tribute to MT. Taft, said that England welcomed him as joyously as every Tommy had greeted every doughboy in the trenches of France.
 If blood be the price of freedom England and America" he said, have Iaid it in full"
 Ambassador Harvey said it was a great qualification to have at the banquet representative of the Ger man republic, whom he described as "an admirable and statesmanlike gentleman" He regretted that the great Russian people had not emerged sufficiently from their hall incantations and chaos to send simi- lar representative.
 Taft Twitted,
 The ambassador, twitted the chief justice on his activities in London, referring to him as "The only man possessing q midrbian chuckle and flexible sdiaphragram which could not be kept up with his brain"
 Mir. Taft drew on his anecdotes for a reply to the ambassador. The chief justice reviewed the history and main features of the declaration of independence and the rights enjoyed by the American people under 1t,
 Taft Pays Tribute
 "The Fourth of July is note worthy date in our relations with Great Britain" 41e said, because upon that date within recent years we have learned through the mani festations of friendship and willing Eess of Britain to join with us in celebrating that birthday that we are still in her family. and the re- tention of interest and affection on her part in our. welfare makes for a solid and lasting friendship"
 Chairman Cross paid tribute to the services of Frederick Van Duser, who, 49 years ago helped found the organization and who was now about to retire. The American so- ciety desired to recognize his splen- did services In fostering good reia- tions between the two countries ana assisting Americans by presenting him with a silver trophy.