Evening star., 1922-06-20
.[OND0NERS GIVE
TAFT BIG WELCOME
Chief Justice CapituIates to
Pen, Pencil and Camera
Following Banquet.
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. June 2O.-Large forces of
London's men of the pen. pencil and
camera laid siege to William Howard
Taft today and captured him bodily.
Their ranks comprised newspaper
men, photographers, moving picture
operators and cartoonists. all clam
oring at once to see the Chief Justice
of the United States. He finally sur
rendered to all four divisions. being
interviewed, photographer and carl
catured at the same time.
Otherwise, the Chief Justices second
day in London was spent for the most
part in visiting the English law
courts. He was accompanied by Sir
John Simon, former attorney general,
and other leaders of the British bar
He had luncheon with Ambassador
Harvey and later called on King
George. to whom he presented a mes
sage OF greeting and friendship from
President Harding. The Chief Justice
and Mrs. Taft will be presented to
King George and Queen Mary to-
morrow by Ambassador and Mrs. Har-
Vey. The former President is being
surfeited with luncheons. banquets
and miscellaneous festivities.
HOnored Mt Banquet.
Last night he was guest of honor at
the Pilgrims banquet. at which five
members of the cabinet, many former
cabinet ministers and the greatest
legal minds in the country lent their
presence.
Rarely before has a visiting Amer
lean received such a spontaneous
welcome. The king. the Prince of
n Hos nt,ly 80
messages Of greeting. and the Earl
Of Balfour and the Very Rev. Will
liam Ralph Inge, dean of st. Paul's,
testified to the affection and admira-
ton in which Mr.. Taft is held by the
English people.
Earl of Balfour. who expressed the
hope that the distinguished visitor
would not measure the warmth Of
Great Britain's greeting by the pre-
vailing chilly weather.
Our climate may be changeable.
but our hearts are constant and
true" he said. "The high esteem in
which we hold the former President
is not one that will change with the
winds"
Lord Bnlfour's Praise.
Mr.. Taft. said Lord Balfour, oc-
cupied one of the unique positions in
the world. Elevated to the highest
executive office and the highest judi
cial position. he had discharged the
duties of both in a way to command
the approval, not only of America,
but the world. He himself and the
members of the British delegation at
the Washington conference were un-
der deep and lasting obligations to
Mr.. Taft for his kindly aid and help
full counsel in approaching one of the
most difficult problems England had
ever faced. At the outset of his
speech Mr.. Taft occasioned much
laughter by saying that to man of
his avoirdupois the present climate
of England was especially commend
men 10y the declaration that he had
retirSi from the presidency of the
United States with the full and un-
mistakable consent Of the American
people"
Mr.. Taft was followed by Dean 1nge.
who pleaded for greater solidarity be-
tween the two nations. THE United
States and the allied powers should
make 1t their sacred duty" he said,
ito keep up the comradeship of the
trenches. no longer against Germany
or any other power. but in the service Of
the great principles for which millions
gave their lives
Those who sat at the principal table
with Lord Desborough chief Justice
Taft and Ambassador Harvey included
the Archbishop of Canterbury. the Earl
Of Balfour the Earl OF Derby. the Earl
of Devonshire. Niscount Cave. Lord Lee
of Fareham Lord Carson. Lord Buck
master. Lord Sumner and James NJ
Beck. solicitor general Of the United
States The other guests included Wis.,
count Astor; the American consul gen.
eral. Robert P. Skinner. and the staff
Of the American embassy.
Compliment to Hosts.
Mr.. Taft opened with graceful
tribute to the Earl Of Balfour and a
compliment to Great Britain for pos
sessing such a statesman. He voiced
his gratitude to the Pilgrims for this
expression of their good will. and
apologized for avoidance of certain sub
jects, the discussion of which might
have been possible were he a simple
private citizen, but was precluded be-
cause, as he described 1t. the monastic
order l have Joined and the vows I have
taken prevent such discussion"
He proceeded briefly TO review the
history Of the relations between Great
Britain and America, in the course of
which he said: NO trouble arises be-
tween the two countries that we of
America do not all of us look forward
to it's settlement either by negotiation
or by arbitration. Any other event is
not considered for moment This
American state of mind is a constant
factor in our relations; it sometimes
produces an apparent Indifference or
lack OF excitement on the part of our
people over irritating issues that is
misleading to the British observer"
He alluded to the gigantic experiment
which America was engaged in in trying
to Americanize masses of immigrants
congregated in large cities.
At the court tomorrow George Har-
yey, the American ambassador. will
present Chief Justice Taft to King
George and Queen Mary. while Mrs.
Harvey will present Mrs. Taft and Mrs.
James NJ. Beck and Miss Beck, the wife
and daughter of the United States
solicitor general.
Nl n R@uAl @@unArR