Evening star., 1923-05-23
LEv|ATHAN TO GET
BRITISH WELCOME
Docking of Biggest U. S. Ship
at Southampton to Be
Notable Event.
BY FREDERICK WILLIAM VILE.

Great preparations are afoot both
here and in Great Britain for a
festive welcome for the Leviathan,
when Americas new queen of the
seas arrives at Southampton on July
10. If present plans are carried out,
il will become the occasion for
momentous AngloAmerican love
feast.
The British government and Brit
ish shipping authorities are likely
TO collaborate in converting the
event into something memorable in
the annals of maritime history. The
United States is entering heartily
into the spirit of the affair. Details
are bing discussed between Ambas-
sador Harvey, now a guest at the
White House, and Albert d. Lasker,
chairman of the United States Ship
ling Board. Mr.. Lasker will be out
Of Office by the time the Leviathan
lifts anchor at New York on July 4,
tut he is making her maiden voyage
as an honored guest OF his Shipping
Board colleagues.
Mellon to Make Trip.
A distinguished company, repre-
senting the principal branches of
the American government, will cross
the Atlantic aboard the Leviathan.
Ambassador Harvey is making all
Short hs plans his to Taca3on d9 so it euts
States. Andrew w. Mellon, Secretary
nf the Treasury. hopes tc go, as the
representative of President Harding $
cabinet.
Senator Reed Smoot of Utah will be
the envoy of the Senate, and from
the House of Representatives there
Will be Frederick H. Giliett, the
Speaker. and Nicholas Longworth,
representative from Ohio. Mrs. Long
worth, we'll known in Great Britain
as Princess Alice" also will be d
member OF the official party.
As merchant marine rivalry is con-
sidered by the best informed author
tiles in both countries as the issue
most likely in future to produce an
Anglo-American bona of contention
the commissioning of the Leviathan
has been seized upon as a seemly
occasion for some plain speaking be-
tween friends.
Room Seen for All. r..
The note that will be emphasized
in the forthcoming festivities in
Great Britain-certainly by American n
Spokesmen-iS that there's plenty of
room on the high seas for both "a
British and an American merchant
marine. Another note will be struck,
iifiAlSiS, lHdl instead OF destructive
competition, ways and means ought
to be devised for intensive co-opera-
tion.
Americans, when they get on their
feet in Southampton and London in
July, will lay our merchant marine
cards plainly on the tauIe. mere
VIII be no attempt TO conceal Uncle
Sans aspiration and determination
TO be a factor in the worlds carrying
trade.
Two diffareD+ ca1ahr,+io,r g. an
Leviathan are projected. One will
be at Southampton, with America as
most. when the great shipping mag
mates of the Cunard. White Star, Ley
land, Peninsular & Oriental Royal
Mail and other leading British nava-
cation companies, will be entertained
at lunch or dinner aboard orr big
boat. That party probably will take
place on July 11th.
Premier May Speak.
Next day the .Pilgrims-the British
branch of that kinship society-will
entertain In honor of Ambassador
Harvey, Chairman Lasker, Secretary
Mellon. Senator Smoot and Repre-
sentatives Gillett and Longworth. At
the Pilgrims function it Is altogether
likei'' that the new British prime
minister. Stanley Baldwin, will speak
and make his first public pronounce
ment with regard to the United
states. 1t is expected that Mr.. Lasker
on the same occasion will outline
Americas merchant marine hopes and
ambitions -
The Leviathan will be no stranger in
southampton water. Soon after she
shed her identity as the Hamburg
American liner Vaterland. she became
familiar figure at the famous Brit
1sh port as an American army trans
port. On at least half dozen differ
ent occasions in 1918, the Leviathan
landed from 5000 to 10000 doughboys
on Southampton's docks. on their