[CTRL] [1] Pilgrims and Pioneers

[Kris Millegan]

-Caveat Lector-   <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">
</A> -Cui Bono?-

an  excerpt from:
Pilgrims and Pioneers
Sir Harry Brittain
Hutchinson & Co, LTD.
285 pps. � Third Edition � Out-of-print
-----
One may notice the presence of S&B'ers and opium families, among others . . .
Om
K
------

CHAPTER X

The Pilgrims

WE COME INTO BEING

IN 1902 came my first real opportunity to work for Anglo-American
co-operation when a little group of us, British and Americans, formed The
Pilgrims' Club.

On July 16 of that year an informal meeting took place at the Carlton Hotel,
at which General Joseph Wheeler, Colonel B. C. Mahon, D.S.O., the Hon. C. S.
Rolls and I were elected as a provisional committee.

General Joe Wheeler, known as 'Hellfire Joe', was a famous cavalry leader of
the South in the Civil War; Bryan Mahon was a delightful Irishman, and
Charlie Rolls the well-known pioneer of both the motoring and aeroplane world.

We were fortunate in getting that grand old soldier, Field-Marshal Lord
Roberts, to promise to be our first President, and at a meeting on July 24,
at which General Lord Grenfell presided, a strong committee was elected, and
I was invited and at once agreed to act as Honorary Secretary.

In the course of an informal chat after that meeting, we decided that the
most effective way to bring the Club into being would be by gathering in
honour of our newly elected President, Lord Roberts.

Now, although in the ordinary way the London season would then have been
over, it was carried on throughout August, for owing to the illness of King
Edward VIIth the Coronation had been postponed, and this, of course, kept
people from every part of the world in London.

General Wheeler, an old friend of Lord Roberts, undertook to get in touch
with the Field-Marshal and arrange the date for the first gathering.

In due course Lord Roberts replied, suggesting August 8, but, instead of
sending his note to the Carlton Hotel, he had sent it to the Carlton Club,
from which it made a somewhat circuitous tour in attempts to find the
General. In the meantime, Wheeler, having heard nothing, went across to Paris
for a few days, and on August 5 I received a telegram from Paris as follows:

    Letter from Lord Roberts dated July fixes August 8th for dinner with
Pilgrims.
Letter was misdirected.  Telegraph me plans. Joseph Wheeler.

This was somewhat of a shock, for we had only three days left in which to get
together a representative gathering. However, I very naturally came to the
conclusion that it would never do for us to break down at the first fence, so
wired back:

Everything arranged, come back by first train. Brittain.

For the next forty-eight hours the little group of us hustled right manfully
to get together a representative party. The General duly arrived on the 6th,
and the rest of that day and the whole of the 7th I spent with him in a
hansom cab rounding up distinguished Pilgrims and strangers from all
directions.

    Our efforts, I am happy to think, were more than successful, and a very
happy company assembled on the evening of the 8th, under the chairmanship of
Lord Kinnaird.

And so 'The Pilgrims' was launched, and, according to the Press, 'the
occasion given on the eve of the Coronation was made memorable by the
speeches which, for uniform brilliance and brevity, could not be surpassed'.

At that dinner we were responsible for one interesting innovation, the
elimination of a top table, all members being seated at little round tables
of eight, and this policy we kept up for many a long year.

Another thing we went in for was to limit ourselves, whenever possible, to
one main speech, that of our guest, which was a great change from the
oppressively long toast list which so often prevailed some forty years ago
and which, alas, is not even extinct today. Curtailing the proceedings in
this way did, I must confess, bring another experience which I went through
at almost every gathering, when members would say to me, "What a grand
evening, my dear Harry, but what a pity to stop when we were really enjoying
ourselves."

>From that day I saw much of that most lovable personality and very gallant
soldier, Lord Roberts, who honoured me by becoming a firm friend and so
remained until the end.

Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, V.C., was built on diminutive, but well-knit
lines, ever alert and as straight as a ramrod, keen blue eyes, a face well
tanned by Eastern sunshine, with a fairly heavy white moustache, and tiny
white tuft under the chin.

Known to millions as 'Bobs', he was the possessor of a pleasing voice and an
ever-ready smile; although small, even in mufti he was obviously someone born
to command.

In full regalia, complete with baton, and aloft on his favourite charger, he
was a striking figure.

He had a house in Portland Place, and a country home at Ascot, each filled
with interesting trophies of a great soldier's life.

Both in London and at Englemere he was the kindliest of hosts, and if, and
when, he could be persuaded to talk about earlier years in India, it was
rather like having a chat with history.

The Pilgrims' Club, particularly during the time it was being built up, was
almost, of necessity, very much a one-man job. I was intensely keen on it,
and perhaps devoted more time than I should have done to building it up, time
which could, undoubtedly, have been devoted more profitably to commercial
purposes, but I have no regrets. Some of the best friends I possess have been
made through contact with The Pilgrims, on either side, and those friendships
I would not have missed for a mountain of gold.

No one could have wished for a better committee than that with which I was
privileged to work. The best and kindliest of souls; all busy men, invariably
supporting every effort and suggestion I put forward. We owed a great debt of
gratitude to the Press on either side, which took up The Pilgrims at once and
both placed and kept us on the map.

Another innovation for which we received authority from the highest quarters
was the permission to couple together, in a single toast, the names of H.M.
The King and the President of the United States. That authority was granted
during our first year, and has been a valued privilege of The Pilgrims ever
since.

My friend Bruce Ingram, of the Illustrated London News, asked one of his
artists, Hugh Fisher, to design us a coat-of-arms, not, maybe, the authentic
work of the Heralds' College, but a most attractive design. Our motto, Hic et
ubique, was, I fear, somewhat cribbed from that of the Royal Artillery,
adding our own Hic.



PILGRIMS OF AMERICA FORMED

It was early in the following year, 1903, that our Sister Society, The
Pilgrims of America, came into being. On January 13, fifteen or twenty
well-known Americans met at the old Waldorf-Astoria, under the chairmanship
of the Bishop of New York, Dr. Potter. The moving spirit was a most dynamic
and witty American, George T. Wilson, who had helped us immensely in the
formation of The Pilgrims here. Connected with one of the big insurance
companies, he was a very prince of entertainers, and could put more life and
go into any gathering than any man I have ever met. He gave the most amazing
dinner-parties to the most representative citizens, but, whoever they were,
bishops, judges of the High Court, or leading business men, at the end of the
evening they were all as schoolboys in the hands of George.

He acted as toast-master at The Pilgrims' first gathering at the Waldorf,
which was in honour of Admiral Lord Charles Beresford. According to the New
York Sun, Lord Charles' speech was in the true Beresfordian style. It
certainly was, for he dealt with points which were of a supposedly delicate
nature in a breezy manner amounting to almost half a gale.

However, there is one thing I have always noted with regard to our American
friends, which is this. If they, in turn, look upon you as an old and trusted
friend, if what you say has the smack of sincerity and, incidentally, if you
say it with a smile, you are taken into the family circle. You may hit out,
metaphorically, as straight as you like, and what you say is appreciated and
accepted in the right spirit.

Many of our people on this side, and particularly our would-be propagandists
and purveyors of information, have still to learn this truism.

A well-known wit in New York at that time was Simeon Ford, with whom George
Wilson frequently had an amusing bout. In a brief address, this particular
evening, he certainly added to the gaiety of the proceedings. After saying
that he understood the dinner was supposed to be in honour of Lord Charles
Beresford, he suggested it appeared to be turning into a halo for George T.
Wilson, and that he was certainly not one to add a single cubit to the
circumference of George's already over-developed brow. "George and I," he
said, "were boys together, and we are yet, and I have always loved him and I
love him still, and the stiller he is the more I love him,"

In 1903 Mr. Joseph Choate, who was one of the most popular, as he was
certainly one of the most eloquent, of American Ambassadors, was The
Pilgrims' guest on the completion of his fourth year at the Court of St.
James. Mr. Choate made, as ever, a very delightful speech, full of that
humour of which he was a master. I well remember one little incident. The
official toast-master, a gentleman in a red coat, with a large voice and
pachydermatous hide, was�for perhaps the only time in his existence�made to
appear slightly abashed.

The Ambassador's speech, as I have stated, was punctuated with sparkling
flashes of wit, which naturally the guests appreciated, showing their
appreciation in hearty cheers and long ripples of laughter. The toast-master,
however, from his position behind the speaker's chair, insisted on taking
charge of the proceedings; when, in his opinion, the laughter had run on long
enough he solemnly raised both hands and waved his arms majestically, with
the obvious intention of 'shooing' the audience into silence. Well, Mr.
Choate, being human, naturally enjoyed the appreciation of his delightful
quips and, as he was not speaking on any time limit, concluded, as
undoubtedly did the audience, that they should carry on their laughter as
long as they liked. Accordingly, after a series of these imperious gestures
for silence, the Ambassador slowly turned round and, looking at the
toast-master with a quiet smile, brought down the house by saying, "Brother
Pilgrims, I am not quite sure whether I, or the gentleman in pink, has the
floor." It is needless to add that our honoured guest was permitted to finish
his speech without further interference.

>From this date The Pilgrims, on either side, forged right ahead, and for many
years I had the pleasure of working in the closest co-operation with George
Wilson in New York, with the result that The Pilgrims always marched in step.
Each move made by either of us was immediately reported to the other and so
an intimate and close co-operation was built up.

The Pilgrims of Great Britain and The Pilgrims of America, as a single
entity, formed The Pilgrims' Club, and a member elected on either side was
likewise a member of the Sister Society.

We met on many occasions during our first two years, and I remember one
entertaining speech in London by Senator Chauncey Depew. According to the Chic
ago Record, honours were divided that evening between the Senator and Sir
George White, V.C., the defender of Ladysmith. Depew told a story of a
wandering missionary, who carried on his wagon front and sides the legend,
'God is Love', while on the back of the wagon was the warning, 'Mind the
bull-dog, he has all his teeth.' There, suggested Depew, might be found the
idea of the mission of Great Britain and the United States. They were
preaching the gospel of love to the world, but on the rear of their wagon was
the warning, to whom it might concern, that their teeth were sharp.



ANTICIPATING RADIO

Early in 1904 Sir Mortimer Durand went out to Washington as our new
Ambassador, and the idea occurred to me that it might be possible to hold a
simultaneous gathering in England and America. Those, of course, were days
long before broadcasting, so what I had in mind was to borrow the Atlantic
cable for a couple of hours and link up Delmonico's in New York with our
meeting-place in London.

So I went to see a Brother Pilgrim, George Gray Ward, of the Commercial Cable
Company. When I asked him whether I could have the Atlantic cable for two or
three hours, he whistled softly and replied, "Boy, that will cost you a lot
of money." After assuring him that a novel idea was sometimes of far more
value than a money payment, and that we did not propose to pay a cent for the
cable, I told him my story. At the finish he agreed to link up London with
New York.

This joint gathering created intense interest at the time, as a glance
through the press-cutting book shows. The New York Herald had a heading,
'PILGRIMS IN SYNCHRONOUS SYMPOSIA'. The Daily Express, 'PILGRIMS IN TWO
WORLDS DINE TOGETHER'. The Daio Telegraph, 'A UNIQUE EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF
ANGLOAMERICAN FRIENDSHIP', and so forth.

The New York gathering to honour our Ambassador was a very representative
one. We did our best to bring together at our supper party outstanding
Englishmen who would exchange messages of greeting with their American
counterparts.

Lord Roberts led off with a message to the President of the United States'
Pilgrims, and then we drank the health of Sir Mortimer. That message was
rapidly followed by one from the American Ambassador to his opposite number,
and then followed leading representatives of the Navy, the Army, Commerce,
Bench and Bar, replies coming back within a matter of seconds, and being
received with intense enthusiasm. There was only one slight hiatus, when I
fired across a little poetic salvo, as follows:

"British Pilgrims westward gazing
Send you greetings overseas,
Glasses to their comrades raising
In a hearty unity.

Pilgrims whom no fate can sever,
May our path be calm and bright,
And the link of friendship ever
Bind us closely, as to-night!"

We learnt later that gallant attempts were made to reply in verse but,
unfortunately, there was no ready-made rhymer handy.

In the name of The Pilgrims I wound up with our warmest thanks to Pilgrim
Ward of the Commercial Cable Company for enabling American and British
Pilgrims, for the first time in their history, to spend together an evening
of such happy fellowship.


AN HISTORIC GATHERING

In April of 1 1906 the American Pilgrims made history: a Governor-General of
Canada was, for the first time, the guest of a banquet in New York. The
Governor-General of that time was Lord Grey, as fine a type of Englishman as
ever lived.

Elihu Root, successor to John Hay as Secretary of State, and Mr. Joseph
Choate spoke on behalf of the five hundred distinguished Americans who filled
the banqueting-hall of the Waldorf-Astoria. After an admirable speech, Earl
Grey added to the historic nature of the gathering by making an historic
gift. That gift was the portrait of the great Benjamin Franklin which had
been taken from his Philadelphia home by Lord Grey's great-grandfather,
Charles Grey, who had occupied Franklin's house in Philadelphia during the
war in 1777. Ever since then the portrait had adorned Lord Grey's home in
Northumberland, but as a great admirer of Franklin, and a well-wisher of a
happy feeling between the two peoples, he had decided to restore of his own
free will this well-known picture. As the New York Press stated: "At this
announcement the diners rose to their feet and cheered enthusiastically,
cheering which was renewed when Mr. Choate proceeded to say that the portrait
was now in the hands of Mr. Whitelaw Reid, the American Ambassador in London,
and would doubtless arrive in Philadelphia in time for the celebrations of
the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin on April 20."

On this side, we had a splendid speech from Lord Curzon, upon the termination
of his office as British Viceroy in India. Lord Curzon's opening sentence
pleased The Pilgrims of both nations when he said the best pilgrimage he had
ever made in his life was to the other side of the water, to persuade an
American pilgrim to continue her life pilgrimage in his company. After a
brilliant description of life in India, and the duties to be carried out,
Lord Curzon went on to say: "Whatever service we have given we have freely
rendered, though when we come back we sometimes find that nobody knows quite
where we have been, and still less what we have been doing. Yet we feel that
we would not part with our experience for anything in the world. Whether our
position in India has been great or small, we feel that we have had our hand
on the pulse of the Universe," and then he added: "A member of the present
House of Commons has said that my administration has been one of pomp and
pageantry. This description has appeared to captivate even the Secretary of
State. Such is the baleful influence of alliteration on the literary mind."

After referring to the right spirit of administration, and amidst cheers when
mentioning the work of Lord Milner who was sitting near him, Lord Curzon
urged all who heard him "to trust the man on the spot and to send out to this
task the best man you can tempt or train. Wherever unknown lands exist,
wherever a new civilization, wherever, in fact, progress and enlightenment
are possible, there is the field for the Anglo-Saxon race, and may we never
fall below the dignity of our high course."

Lord Curzon never forgot this welcome home. He was a man not easy of approach
and, to the world, ever since Oxford days, had been regarded as Ca most
superior person'. But he had another side.

The great George Nathaniel Curzon was a commanding and even glittering
personality, especially in full regalia.

With a large frame, he possessed a great dome-like head and a firm mouth over
an equally firm, clean-shaven chin. His manner could be awe-inspiring and
abrupt, but in private intercourse with one whom he regarded as a friend he
was courteous, urbane and a perfect host.

Early the following morning I received from him a charming note, thanking me
for all I had done and saying that he would always look upon that welcome as
one of the highest honours ever paid to him, and one which he would ever
connect with my untiring exertions.

Often, at his request, I would drop in, in later years, sometimes at odd
hours, to see him at Carlton House Terrace. This great man, looked upon by so
many as a stern, unbending, pompous individual, could be the most human of
persons, and to an undistinguished youth showed himself a kindly and most
delightful companion. With stoic fortitude he bore what was almost continual
pain, and never once did I hear him refer to it.

Sometimes when he got warmed up on a subject he would stand and, with his
back to the fire, work out his ideas in perfectly chosen prose, frequently
winding up with an effective peroration; all of which tended to make me feel
that I might be the very Council of India itself instead of a single, simple
listener.

In glancing through old letters of this period I find very many from my good
friend George Wilson, my opposite number in New York, then at the wheel of
the American Pilgrims. As I have already stated, we wrote to one another at
least every week, giving full details of anything happening on our own side,
and making all kinds of inquiries from the other. It was a close-working
partnership. Among other things, we were anxious to create the precedent that
an incoming Ambassador on either side should make his first speech to the
people of the country to which he had been accredited, from the Board of The
Pilgrims, and George Wilson was very wishful to see that this much-desired
honour should definitely date from the reception of James Bryce, who had been
appointed as the next Ambassador to the United States.

I had known Mr. Bryce (afterwards Viscount Bryce) since my Oxford days, when
he was a fellow of All Souls, and a well-known Law lecturer, for which Honour
School I was a humble striver; an arrangement was therefore satisfactorily
entered into by which the Pilgrims on this side should speed the parting, and
our American friends give the first welcome to the coming, guest.

James Bryce was hailed, on the other side, as the perfect Ambassador. Mr.
Choate, who welcomed him in New York, admitted that Columbus discovered
America, but Mr. Bryce discovered Americans to themselves.

This, of course, was very largely true, for in those days Bryce on the
American Constitution was a standard work.

I saw a good deal of Mr. Bryce, both during his term as Ambassador and on his
return to England. He was a most untiring little man, with a slightly bent
figure, grey pointed beard, a clear, precise voice, piercing eyes, and a very
hurried walk. When he was quite an old man, I met him on several occasions
pacing through London on a dirty winter's day, without an overcoat and
apparently, from his rapid gait, a few minutes late for the next appointment.

Perhaps the greatest compliment paid to The Pilgrims about this time,
particularly when one remembered that the Club was not more than five years
old, was a request to welcome to England the Prime Ministers of the
Dominions, who were assembling for the Imperial Conference.



WELCOME TO DOMINION PRIME MINISTERS

This invitation was given to me by 'Lulu' Harcourt, the tall, immaculately
dressed Colonial Secretary, who wore one of the highest collars I ever
remember.

These days, of course, were long before the foundation of that excellent body
the Empire Parliamentary Association, or of the many clubs which, paying us
the compliment of flattery, sprang up during the years which followed,
somewhat on the lines of The Pilgrims. Notwithstanding all this, I felt that
this request from the Colonial Office was an outstanding compliment to what
was, after all, but an Anglo-American dining club, however effective its
methods and distinguished its personnel.

It is interesting to look back at the press-cuttings describing this dinner.
For example, I will take the Evening Standard of April 20, 1907, Under the
heading, "The Pilgrims' Club Historic Banquet to the Colonial Premiers",
there is a plan showing the arrangement of thirty-four tables at Claridge's,
and then under the heading "How the guests were seated", the names of every
individual member at each of those tables. It undoubtedly is a wonderful list
to read through, and well I remember the hours spent in arranging the places
of those 368 guests, using my best endeavours to place each where he would
most happily enjoy himself. I previously said there was no top table, Lord
Roberts, who presided, being at table fifteen towards the centre of the room.
The Evening Standard stated:

"The Pilgrims' Club has been associated with not a few distinguished
gatherings, and will, no doubt, play its part in many others, but it may be
doubted whether any more interesting function has ever been, or will in the
future be, held under its auspices than last night's dinner at Claridge's
Hotel."

After a speech by Sir Edward Grey (afterwards Grey of Falloden), Alfred
Deakin, the Prime Minister of Australia, in a most eloquent reply, roused
intense enthusiasm. It was a speech of uncompromising Empire loyalty
delivered with real earnestness. The Premier of New Zealand endorsed to the
full all that had been said by Mr. Deakin, and the gathering was
wholeheartedly in accord with Lord Roberts when, referring to General Botha,
our President stated that he was certain we should find him as staunch a
friend as he had been found by the British Army to be a difficult and
troublesome enemy.



IN LIGHTER VEIN

A couple of months later, in June 1907, we had what, I think, was one of the
very happiest events which ever brought The Pilgrims together, and that was a
luncheon in honour of Mark Twain. When this gathering was arranged, I went to
see Lord Roberts to discuss with him who would make the most appropriate
chairman, for it seemed to me that to get the very best out of this witty and
distinguished writer we should attempt to find his nearest possible opposite
number. I therefore suggested to our President one who, although not at that
time a member of The Pilgrims, seemed in every way to fill the bin; this was
Augustine Birrell, in public life Secretary for Ireland, in private life
unmatched maker of polished quips and impromptu epigrams. Lord Roberts
readily agreed, as did Augustine Birrell, so the success of the gathering was
assured.

During his short visit to England, Mark Twain was received with an
affectionate welcome, which increased in intensity during his stay. At our
own particular gathering there was, of course, the greatest possible
enthusiasm, but mingled with that, the feeling that each one of us was
welcoming a very dear friend. As one of the papers Put it:

"Mark Twain is enjoying himself. No one who saw him yesterday at the lunch
given in his honour by The Pilgrims at the Savoy can have any doubt as to
that. His gleaming and beaming countenance, more picturesque than ever,
radiated fun and happiness all round the room. What a wonderful old head it
is, with its aquiline eye, and its leonine jaw and mane. The Pilgrims might
almost adopt it as a symbol of that co-mingling of British Lion and American
Eagle which they exist to promote."

Over the initials 'O.S.', Owen Seaman of Punch had written for us the
following verses, which we attached to the list of guests:

Pilot of many pilgrims since the shout Mark Twain, that served you for a
deathless sign, On Mississippi's waterway rang out Over the plummet line;
Still where the countless ripples laugh above The blue halcyon seas, long may
you keep Your course unbroken, buoyed upon a love Ten thousand fathoms deep.

Both Augustine Birtell and Mark Twain were at the top of their form'

Mark Twain made great play upon the fact that the first thing he saw in
England on his arrival was a newspaper man with a great red highly displayed
placard in front of him. On that placard were two sentences running together,
without even a comma, and stated:

MARK TWAIN ARRIVES
ASCOT GOLD CUP STOLEN

He went on to say, "I never have seen that Cup, I have not got the Cup, I did
not have a chance to get it." And then, after a few words on the wickedness
of stealing, he said: "I do confess that when I was here several years ago I
stole a hat, but it did not amount to anything; it was not a good hat, and
was only a clergyman's hat, anyway. I was at a luncheon party and Archdeacon
Wilberforce was there also. He is Archdeacon now-he was just a Canon then and
was serving in the Westminster battery, if that is the proper term. He left
the luncheon table before I did. He began this thing. I did steal his hat,
but he began by taking mine. I make that confession because I will not accuse
Archdeacon Wilberforce of stealing my hat�I should not think of it. I confine
that phrase to myself. He merely took my hat, and with good judgment too-it
was a better hat than his."

I saw a good deal of Mark Twain during that last visit to England, and, like
all who knew him, soon came to love him. He stayed at Brown's Hotel in Dover
Street, and I well remember one morning, invited by him to breakfast at about
9-30 with three or four other men, I enjoyed his delightful companionship,
and listened to his wonderful reminiscences as he slowly drawled on from one
yarn to another. He must have gripped us pretty closely, for it was not until
a telephone call disturbed one of the party we discovered that breakfast had
carried on until afternoon. On that occasion Mark Twain was, I remember, a
most picturesque figure in white flannels.

Sailors, painters and parsons then became our guests, and at the clerical
gathering Mr. Asquith gently suggested to the visiting archbishops and
bishops, of which there were many, that it was a great opportunity for a
layman to get a little of his own back, "for," he added, "we are accustomed
to listen with greater or less edification, at any rate in compulsory silence
and at least with spiritual docility, to the lessons which are week by week
imparted to us from the pulpit. Tonight, for the moment�and only for the
moment�the normal positions are reversed, and I, a humble layman, have the
opportunity, of which, let me assure you at once by saying that I am not
going to take undue advantage, of providing our clerical guests with the
strange experience of listening to a sermon. If I were in a vindictive mood I
should like to settle some old scores, but under the genial and mellowing
influence of The Pilgrims' hospitality I will confine myself to two or three
sentences on a single text."

Of lighter and more informal gatherings, one, at the Savoy in 1909, was held
to entertain and congratulate the American Polo Team which had recently won
the International Cup.

Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell, who presided, told us that he was probably the
only man in the room who saw polo played before it was introduced into the
British Army. In the early 'Sixties, at which time the game was practically
unknown at home, he used to go out to see the native cavalry regiments in
India play polo, on very small ponies, with very big sticks and an enormous
ball.

It was a great team, that Meadowbrook team, with Payne-Whitney as captain;
Larry Waterbury, who was almost as famous a racquets, player as he was a polo
expert. Devereux Milburn, who was also an Oxford Blue, having rowed in the
'Varsity eight. Payne-Whitney told us how the contest had been conducted
without the slightest jealousy, and they were returning home with the best of
feelings; when an English team went across with the laudable intention of
recapturing the Cup, a very earnest attempt would be made, he said, to repay
the overwhelming hospitality the American team had received during their
visit to the old country, a land still to the fore in maintaining the best
traditions of sport.

SAILORS AND STATESMEN

A very distinguished American arrived in England early in June 1910�Commander
Peary, the first white man to stand on the North Pole. My wife had the
pleasure of meeting him before I did, and as they drove round the park
together he gave her a vivid exposition of exactly what he thought of Dr.
Cook. 'Doc. Cook' in those days was a very notorious individual, but the
young people of today have probably no recollection of the man who was the
pseudo-discoverer of the Pole, and, descending on Europe before the arrival
of Peary, did what he could to steal the thunder.

Peary, after a rousing reception, gave an interesting account of his historic
voyage. The Roosevelt, he told us, was a complete reversal of the idea and
theory of previous Arctic ships. The latter were sailing vessels with
auxiliary steam power. The Roosevelt was a steamship and an auxiliary sailing
craft. Of their food, he said, nine-tenths could be used both for the members
of the party and for the dogs. It consisted of pemmican, ship's biscuits,
tins of milk and tea, and all except the tea could be utilized by the dogs,
who could then be utilized to feed each other, the remainder, maybe, falling
victims to the members of the party. Eventually there would be only the men
left. After describing Arctic clothing, and the all-importance of fur,
particularly fur from animals living in that very region, Peary added that
the reason for the success of the expedition was experience. Many problems
had been solved, he added, but others remained, such as the insularity of
Greenland, the determination of temperature, current, and so forth. There
were great differences between the Northern and Southern Polar regions. At
the North Pole the sea was two miles in depth, at the South Pole the men
would be two miles in the air. At the North there were wolf, deer, fox, lemur,
 and other animals; at the South there was not a single example of land life.

To our great satisfaction the U.S. Navy often visited us about this time, and
no guests were ever more welcome.

I remember one party, presided over by Admiral Sir Hedworth Lambton, where
The Pilgrims were reminded that naval officers were the most peace-loving
people in the world, and the Anglo-Saxon race the least aggressive that ever
existed, which statement was greeted with loud cries of 'Bravo', and
laughter. "But," added the Chairman, "when an unjust war is forced upon us we
are rather fond of fighting."

It was at this same gathering that I first had the pleasure of meeting
William Sims (at that time a Commander), with whom I was to be closely
associated a few years later when, in due course, he became
Admiral-in-Command of the American Fleet in European waters.

Once again The Pilgrims had the privilege of welcoming to England the Prime
Ministers of the Dominions. This was in May 1911.

Sir Edward Grey, in a noteworthy speech, proposed the health of our
distinguished visitors, to which a brilliant response was made by Canada's
silver-tongued orator, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. With him were Mr. Andrew Fisher,
Prime Minister of Australia, General Botha and Sir Joseph Ward from South
Africa and New Zealand, and Sir Edward Morris from Newfoundland.

Sir Edward Grey, afterwards Earl Grey of Falloden, like his colleague Mr.
Asquith, would have made an ideal Roman senator, of slightly lighter build
than his chief. He had a broad, intellectual head and a keen, steady eye.

Though most of his days were perforce spent in cities, he was essentially a
countryman and a lover of country-, and, particularly, bird-life.

In later years, unfortunately, his sight gradually failed him, and this was
impressed upon me very vividly during the course of a week I had with him in
Washington, when he was our Ambassador there.

He was discussing his favourite subject-birds and trees-when he asked me on
several occasions to describe the leaves and the bark of trees beside the
road, as well as the nature and colouring of birds in the distance. When I
had given him the answers, he in turn outlined in a delightful manner the
many interesting habits of the bird in question and equally fascinating
details of the trees.

In his particular case, as a deep lover of Nature, the failure of his sight
was a crowning calamity.

A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE

Since the days of our infancy we had rather avoided annual dinners, but
considered that, having arrived at the end of our first decade, it was only
right and proper to celebrate the occasion.

I have every reason to remember that particularly happy evening because of
the fact that a very delightful surprise was sprung on me.

Our veteran President, Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, hale and hearty in spite
of his eighty years, presided, and over thirty Pilgrims came across from New
York to emphasize the friendly relations existing between the two sections of
The Pilgrims' Club.

Canada's eloquent Minister of Commerce, Mr. George Foster, represented the
Dominion and he and Dr. Manning, later Bishop of New York, gave us admirable
speeches.

Dr. Manning told us of a little incident which befell him earlier in his
career, when it was his privilege and pleasure to be working in one of the
southern cities. "We received," he said, "a visit from the late Admiral
Schley, who, on a Sunday night, attended service in my church; the local
paper on the following morning announced the fact in these words:

'Admiral and Mrs. Schley attended service last night in Christchurch and
listened to a sermon by the Rector, the Rev. W. T. Manning, after which they
were driven to their hotel and took a much-needed rest'! "

Following George Foster's speech, Lord Roberts called upon the ConsulGeneral,
the Hon. John L. Griffiths, one of the most delightful speakers who ever
crossed the Atlantic.

He was a diminutive, stocky figure, stout, with a round, red face, and very
short arms. He possessed a somewhat high-pitched voice, but so effective was
his oratory that he was sought after by almost every association in the
country. Before he had delivered two or three sentences he always succeeded
in gripping his audience.

In spite of his unimpressive figure his was a most attractive and endearing
personality, and he possessed hosts of English friends.

Now, as the individual who had prepared the toast list, I could not
understand why he was butting in, but it soon became apparent that he and my
dear old friends of The Pilgrims' Executive Committee had been quietly
plotting among themselves, and Pilgrim Griffiths went on to say, "The
important, and difficult, and delicate, and unexpected duty has been assigned
to me to surprise our Honorary Secretary." He then suggested that the
assembled guests would be impressed with the magnitude of his task, because
"in this specific Honorary Secretary were combined Scottish thrift, German
thoroughness, Irish wit, French joyousness, Canadian optimism, American
aggressiveness, and English shyness". Loud laughter followed the latest
suggestion.

"And yet," he said, "it is not difficult in a sense to surprise him, because
of his abnormal reticence and his disinclination to ask questions."

After pulling my leg a little longer, he then did succeed in filling me with
a certain amount of bashfulness when he continued: "It usually happens that
the success of any undertaking can be attributed to the imagination, the
resource- fullness, the enthusiasm and courage of one man. While the
co-operation of many minds has been necessary to give The Pilgrims the
assured position the Society occupies, still I feel we all agree that we owe
our prosperity more to Harry Brittain than to anyone else. He has a genius
for organization. What- ever the occasion may be, the success of the event is
assured if he can only overcome his temperamental timidity and be induced to
take the initiative. An English poet, doubtless thinking of his multitudinous
activities, of his many attachments, accomplishments and achievements,
casually referred to him the other day as our 'Greater Britain'. While The
Pilgrims feel that they never can make any adequate recognition of all that
he has done for them, nevertheless they are anxious to show in some way an
appreciation of his unselfish labours. He was recently presented by the
British newspaper proprietors with a portrait of himself, before which, I am
informed, he stands at least half-an-hour every day in silence and in
reverent admiration. You may find him any afternoon in the Royal Academy, and
always in the same place." (I need hardly add that loud laughter followed
this.)

"The Committe of The Pilgrims, when they were considering what form the
surprise should take, felt that nothing could please him as much as a picture
of the one who had been the inspiration of all his labours, and whose
approval means more to him than the praise of all the world beside. We much
regret that the portrait of Mrs. Harry Brittain is not finished, but on this
anniversary night we want to assure our friend that something beautiful is
coming to him, and that later the formal presentation will be made. We wish
him every joy and happiness. He has so many good friends that he need never
lack advice, and he is such a magnetic listener that they never need lack for
a sympathetic audience. No one, I am sure, has done more than Mr. Harry
Brittain to confirm that friendship between England and America which has
continued, though seriously disturbed now and again, for nearly a hundred
years, and which, we trust, may last for ever. I ask you, then, to lift your
glasses to drink to the health of the Pilgrim whom we all delight to honour,
the Pilgrim who, however travel-stained and weary, always abounds in good
cheer, and in the warmth of whose geniality, pessimism and cynicism melt
away, and life becomes a vivid and vital experience, immensely worth the
living."

At a later date, the Caxton Publishing Company reproduced this charming
tribute from the American Consul-General in their Book of Public Speaking.

Then, in December 1912, to the deep regret of all who knew him, the American
Ambassador died. He passed away on the eve of a great meeting which had been
arranged to take place at the Mansion House to celebrate the Centenary of
Peace between the British Empire and the United States. The Lord Mayor, who
presided, read out a letter which he had received only a day or two before
from Mr. Reid, who said that he particularly wished to be present as he
regarded this as an event of enormous importance, and thought that a failure
to give it such a celebration as should challenge the attention of the whole
world would be a crime. It was at that meeting that we decided to purchase
the old home of the Washingtons, Sulgrave Manor, and an International
Committee to keep the two countries in touch was duly formed. It is now, of
course, past history that the First World War postponed, sine die, those
celebrations which should have taken place in 1915.

TENTH BIRTHDAY IN NEW YORK

As a return visit to that paid by members of The Pilgrims of America on our
tenth anniversary, I gladly accepted the invitation from New York to
represent our President, Lord Roberts, and the British Pilgrims at the tenth
anniversary gathering of our Sister Society. This date in February fitted in
admirably, for it also gave me the opportunity, as Chairman of the Overseas
Committee, of going ahead with arrangements for the forthcoming celebration
of the 100 years of peace. On arrival in New York by the good ship Carmania, m
y first entertainment, and one which I much appreciated, was a luncheon given
in my honour by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, at the National Arts

Club, to meet his colleagues on the editorial staff of the Outlook. It was
always a joy to meet the great T.R., and on this particular occasion he was
in tremendous form.

Five hundred strong, we Pilgrims gathered at the Waldorf under the
chairmanship of Mr. Joseph Choate, who was excellent as ever. Mr. Choate
referred to the late King Edward and Queen Alexandra as two of the most
devoted friends of the United States we ever had, who never lost occasion to
manifest their ardent goodwill, their never-failing interest, in America.
Loud cheers greeted his remarks, which were enthusiastically repeated when
Mr. Choate read out a personal cable message from King George, as well as one
from Queen Alexandra. Mr. Choate, in referring to the fact that we were
entering upon the celebration of the Peace Centenary, said: "We have kept the
peace for a hundred years because, in the main and long run, the peoples are
one, united in sentiment and united in all the concerns and things that make
for civilization. We might have fought a dozen times in those hundred years,
but we have kept the peace always by the preservation on both sides of
absolute good faith and fidelity to the promises that we have made to one
another."

In due course I made my short speech, submitting the message of
congratulations and goodwill from the British Pilgrims, and in their name
presented Mr. Choate with a gold salver containing bread and salt, the
traditional pilgrims' fare.

Following this Pilgrims' banquet, I put in a very strenuous month in the
United States and Canada with Mr. Choate. I addressed various meetings on the
Peace Centenary, and then at the request of the Canadians went up to Ottawa,
to be present at the formation of the Executive Committee for Canada, for
which Sir Edmund Walker, a leading banker, was appointed President. I was
also invited to give addresses to the Canadian Clubs in Montreal and Toronto
and the Women's Canadian Club, where I am reminded that I enjoyed the rare
experience of having half my address published in the Montreal Star on
Monday, February 17, 1913, and the conclusion of that same address, another
three columns, on the following day. This was followed by a little talk at
the fiftieth anniversary gathering of the Old Union League Club in New York,
and then came a meeting or two at Washington, followed by an interview with
President Taft at the White House.

Before sailing for home by the southern route, for I felt that a slight rest
cure was due to me, I had I a splendid send-off dinner from the New York
Press Club, where I threw out th suggestion that at the right time and place,
the right kind of conference between leading newspaper men of the British
Empire and the United States might be productive of sound practical results.
I still look forward to this conference.

WELCOME TO WALTER HINES PAGE

In the meantime, a new Ambassador had been appointed to the Court of St.
James's�Walter Hines Page. It had been my good fortune to have known each
American Ambassador since my undergraduate days, during which time,
incidentally, the Embassy first came into being. Of all those whom I have had
the honour to meet there was none who left memories of a more essentially
human and lovable character than did Walter Page. I was in touch with him
both before and immediately on his arrival, for the purpose of organizing The
Pilgrims' welcome to him; Mr. Page took the greatest interest in every
detail, discussing each item most carefully. The gathering took place on
Friday, June 6, 1913, when in a speech of about three-quarters-of-an-hour the
Ambassador entirely captured the brilliant and distinguished audience which
had gathered under the chairmanship of that fine old veteran, Lord Roberts,
our President.

Some time before this Pilgrims' function, Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, our Minister
in Sweden, with whom I had spent many happy hours in that attractive land,
was appointed British Ambassador to Washington, but had not yet left to take
up his new post.

Thinking that I had hit upon a rather bright suggestion, I sent a note to
Stockhohn asking whether, as Ambassador-elect, he would care to send me a
short message which could be added to those we hoped to receive on that great
occasion.

In due course came the reply, which read as follows:

My dear Harry, I have often heard of a message from the tomb, but never one
from the embryo.

I found this quite unanswerable!

Sir Edward Grey voiced the welcome of The Pilgrims to the new Ambassador, a
welcome supported to the full by the British Press. As The Times pointed out,
this welcome on either side of an incoming Ambassador was precisely what it
was meant to be, a unique compliment. The representatives of a foreign power
are frequently feted on their recall, but for an Ambassador to be welcomed oh
arrival, almost before he has had time to present his credentials, is an
experience which is enjoyed solely by the American Ambassador to the Court of
St. James's. It is a recognition on our part that Great Britain and the
United States stand to one another in a special relationship, and that it
would be against the grain of British instincts if no distinction were to be
drawn between the American and other Ambassadors.

Shortly after Mr. Page had been our honoured guest, he took the chair as host
at a representative gathering of The Pilgrims to honour James Bryce on his
return after serving six-and-a-half years as British Ambassador at
Washington. On that occasion Myron Herrick, the well-beloved American
Ambassador to France, came across to support Mr. Page.

We had a series of very enjoyable meetings during 1913 and the first half of
'14, when in June we welcomed home the English polo team which had met with
success in the United States.

There was one very pleasing gesture before the contest. Captain Cheape had
been the victim of an accident, and the American Polo Association, with true
sportsmanship, postponed the series of games until his recovery. This action
was immensely appreciated in England. The games were followed with the
greatest enthusiasm on either side of the Atlantic, and there was
considerable gratification on this side when England won.

Another function during that month of June in which The Pilgrims, or many of
them, were good enough to give me a helping hand, was the great Peace
Centenary Ball and Pageant at the Albert Hall. It was the first function
arranged by the British committee for the celebration of the hundredth
anniversary of peace among English-speaking peoples, and both our people and
well-known Americans then in London collaborated heartily to make it a
success. A series of wonderful processions was arranged, beginning with the
aborigines in tribal dresses and concluding with a procession of
representatives of the Forty-Eight States.

I was asked to arrange a procession of the Pilgrim Fathers, which I readily
agreed to do, and for this purpose many brother Pilgrims came forward, and
not only joined my little band, but brought with them the requisite number of
Pilgrim Mothers, as well as a few Pilgrim Children. Among the Pilgrim Fathers
I can recollect were John L. Garvin, Gordon Selfridge, Hamar Greenwood (now
Viscount Greenwood), and Sir Frank Newnes. The processions were reviewed,
quite properly, by Columbus, and, after representatives of those who had had
their part in the history of America, came a second set symbolizing the
English-speaking peoples following Britannia and Columbia. The American group
representing the FortymEight States was composed entirely of American ladies,
and I am reminded by The Times that all who took part either in that
particular group or in the Canadian, Australian, South African,

Indian or New Zealand group, came from the countries they represented.

"This fact combined with the symbolical interest of the costumes worn gave
the stately and beautiful ceremonial with its special and appropriate music a
profound significance and interest. The money raised at this great gathering
was to be devoted towards the purchase of Sulgrave Manor, the foundation of a
permanent Chair of Anglo-American history . . ."

and so forth.

SULGRAVE MANOR PURCHASED

Before the First Great War put a stop to, or at least enforced a long
postponement of, the celebration of the centenary of peace between Britain
and America, the British committee was able to carry out one most interesting
task�namely, the purchase of Sulgrave Manor. This old home of the Washingtons
we hoped to restore as closely as possible to what we believed was its
original condition. On purchase we found it a somewhat dilapidated shrine, for
 the house had been neglected and vandals had, alas, been busy. The ten acres
surrounding the Manor, which were also purchased, were in a very rough and
unkempt condition; our hope, in due course, was to lay it out as an old
English garden of the sixteenth century.

On July 27, 1914, a few of us, headed by the Duke of Teck and comprising,
among others, Lord Shaw, Arthur Shirley Benn, my lady and myself, together
with Dr. Page, the American Ambassador, as our distinguished guest, made our
way to Sulgrave, where the inhabitants of the peaceful little village had
prepared a most enthusiastic welcome. We went through the formality of
handing over the key to the American Ambassador, who then opened the
principal door of the house, a fine old door which has above it the
Washington coat of arms, the Stars and Bars. Before returning to London we
were entertained by the Mayor at luncheon in Northampton, and later by Lord
Spencer at his beautiful place, Althorp Park, where we were shown several
most interesting Washington records and relics.

That visit to Sulgrave was a delightful gathering in the heart of England,
and Dr. Page was in his very happiest vein.

A GRACIOUS PRESENTATION

The last big function held in London on the eve of the First Great War I am
never likely to forget, for it was a most wonderful and generous tribute to
my humble services from a large gathering of brother Pilgrims, both British
and American, who forgathered in my honour for the presentation of Sir James
Shannon's portrait of my wife in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of
the Club. Lord Roberts had told me that he wished to take the chair and
personally make the presentation, but at the last moment he was called off to
advise at the War Office, and the American Ambassador, supported by Lord
Bryce, very kindly took his place.

At the twenty-five or thirty tables scattered round the banqueting-hall at
the Savoy were all my old Pilgrim friends. In addition to the Ambassador and
Lord Bryce, our own little round table also comprised Earl Grey, Lord
Burnham, the Canadian High Cominissioner, Lord Rothermere, Sir Ray Lankester
and Lord Kinnaird. It was for me a most delightful function, though naturally
an embarrassing one. After the American Ambassador had said the very kindest
things, and referred to the fact that the portrait was that of a lady whom
they all admired, Lord Bryce continued in the same more than kindly strain.

A few words, perhaps, I may quote: "We are friends with European countries,
and we earnestly hope and pray that the scourge of war may yet be avoided. We
have with America more than friendship. It is a mutual understanding. We have
with the United States a mutual understanding and personal affection which
cannot exist equally well between ourselves and any other country. It is for
that affection that Harry Brittain has laboured, and laboured with a success
which we all appreciate, and for which we heartily thank him. It is that
affection which we hope will go on increasing so long as the two countries
exist."

I found it very difficult to reply to all these kindly eulogies, and was glad
there were no more speeches, but in their stead a happy procession of loyal
old friends who came up to shake me by the hand and offer me their sincere
good wishes and congratulations.

WAR

This, then, as I have already stated, proved to be the last big social
function of its kind to take place in London in those now distant pre-war
days. A few hours later the clash of arms echoed through Europe, and within
that week Great Britain had taken her stand with the Allies.

One of the first efforts of our American friends in London was to make all
possible arrangements for the thousands of American visitors caught in the
maelstrom and scattered all over the Continent of Europe. For this purpose an
American Citizens' Emergency Committee was formed to evolve means of
transport, finance and information. One of the most active members of this
committee was Mr. Herbert C. Hoover, afterwards President of the United
States.

Hoover, born in 1874, the son of a blacksmith, I had already met on many
occasions before the War, when as a successful mining engineer he was
domiciled in London.

A stocky-built type with a large round head, he became the leader of the
American colony in London when war broke out, and was appointed Chairman of
the American Relief Committee. The work he did in many lands in saving the
starving peoples of Europe is too well known to need any detail recalled.

As President of the United States, and later as defeated candidate, he tasted
adulation in excelsis, as well as the entire opposite.

He possesses degrees from forty-nine universities, which must be, I imagine,
a record.

Doubtless because I was Chairman of The Pilgrims, I was invited as the one
Englishman to serve on this committee for the purpose of acting as the link
between that committee and our authorities. The Savoy Hotel generously gave
us ample headquarters, and for the next couple of weeks we lived somewhat
strenuous lives working night and day in doing what we could to assist back
to their native land many thousands of stranded citizens.

In November of that year The Pilgrims suffered a great loss on the sudden
death of our beloved President, Lord Roberts. To me indeed it was a
particularly heavy blow, for since the foundation of the Club, he had always
been my guide, philosopher and friend, and I had for this grand old simple
soldier a very deep affection.

A few weeks after the Field-Marshal's death I received from the American
Pilgrims a beautifully engrossed message to convey to Lady Roberts. After
expressing eloquently the sympathy of the members of our sister society, the
memorial states:

"The Pilgrims of this Country will ever think of their friend, the first
President of the British Pilgrims, as one whose high character, unaffected
simplicity and knightly spirit illustrated the truest ideals of our race, and
in this year which completes the Centenary of Peace between the United States
and Great Britain the name of Lord Roberts stands to them as a symbol of
those qualities upon which is built the lasting friendship of the
English-speaking peoples."

This beautiful memorial was signed by Joseph Choate, as President; by the
four Vice-Presidents, Chauncey M. Depew, Nicholas Murray Butler, S. Cunliffe
Owen and George T. Wilson; followed by the signatures of the Executive
Committee. Lady Roberts, to whom I handed over this memorial at her home in
Ascot, assured me that she and her family would ever value this American
tribute.

1914 AND SNIPERS' BATTALION

Like most of my friends, I tried to get out to France at the beginning of the
First World War, but the fact of having been born in the year 1873, Plus
other minor details, made those early attempts ineffective. However, at the
beginning Of 1915 the right opportunity seemed to offer.

In a note from Colonel John Norton Griffiths, I learnt that snipers were
badly needed at the Front. He had, so he wrote me, suggested to the G.O.C.
that it might be possible to form a Snipers' Battalion from men who were at
the limit of, or over, military age, but who had had experience in different
parts of the world in big-game hunting.

I fell in with Jack Griffiths' suggestion at once, and endeavoured to enthuse
one or two nabobs at the War Office, but for some time without success. At
length, however, a trickle of encouragement was forthcoming, accompanied by
the statement that a fairly considerable sum would have to be raised by
myself and others responsible, for such things as telescopic sights and so
forth. To this we agreed, and a well-known peer offered not only to help out
on the financial side, but also to place at our disposal a large country
house and all facilities for practice, on condition that he might join such a
battalion if and when formed.

By cable I got in touch with various likely folk overseas, and responses soon
came rolling in to add to offers already made by others here.

Then followed a letter of hearty congratulations from a friend at the War
Office who had helped me considerably in each stage of our negotiations.

When all seemed settled, as happens occasionally in this uncertain world,
some particular individual who had the authority so to do blue-pencilled the
scheme, to the great disappointment of those of us who had been looking
forward to sniping German snipers.

MISSION TO AMERICA

However, it was not many weeks after this that I was asked whether I would
undertake a mission to the United States, not unconnected with the war, and
particularly connected with two old friends, Sir Gilbert Parker and Mr.
Charles Masterman, who were engaged in clarifying the Allied cause throughout
the various neutral countries. The ostensible reason for which I was to go
across the Atlantic was as a Member of the Council of the Royal Colonial
Institute (The Royal Empire Society of today), to get in touch with the
branches in the United States and Canada, to give addresses at respective
centres, and do what was possible to enlarge the membership; secondly, as
Chairman of The Pilgrims' Club, I accepted an invitation from the Sister
Society to pay them a visit as their guest and inform them of European
conditions up to date.

At a gathering of The Pilgrims on April 15 0915), which, incidentally,
coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln, the
Hon. W. Cameron Forbes, a past Governor of the Philippines, was in the chair.
After we had heard a most eloquent address by Sir Gilbert Parker, Cameron
Forbes, after thanking the speaker, added, "I also feel that we all ought to
wish Harry Brittain God-speed, and a safe clearance of England by the
Lusitania on Saturday, when she bears him to America, and I express to him,
on behalf of the people of America, a welcome with open arms." That wondrous
welcome during my nine or ten months' tour I certainly received throughout
the land of Uncle Sam.

What was fated to be the last trip West of that splendid ship, the Lusitania,
was a very happy one. I had as companion my old friend, that great genius,
Marchese Marconi. There were not more than a couple of hundred first-class
passengers on board, most of them, of course, crossing for some reason or
another in connection with the War. Marconi and I had wonderful staterooms
allotted to us, the regal suite or something equally magnificent, and many a
happy hour did I spend with him in listening to his discourse on wireless,
with results up to date, and future aspirations.

Tom Royden (Lord Royden today), a Director of the Cunard, as able as he was
popular, saw us off on board, and introduced us to the various ships'
officers. With the purser, McCubbin (one of the many good fellows drowned a
few days later), I had previously crossed on the Carmania and doubtless other
ships. He was responsible for persuading me to preside at what proved to be
the last concert held on board this famous Cunarder. According to McCubbin,
we succeeded in getting a record collection for the number of passengers
carried. A message giving me the Freedom of the Port of New York took me
rapidly through the Customs shed, and I turned for a last look at the grand
old ship, familiarly known as the Lucy, as with hull and funnels all painted
a dusky matt surface she lay alongside the quay.

DR. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER

A day or two after my arrival, the Executive of The Pilgrims of America
forgathered in my honour at a dinner at the Union League Club. There was a
full attendance, with the exception of Mr. Joseph Choate, who, alas, was ill.

Chauncey Depew presided, and on my other side was Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler.
It was a pleasure indeed to meet so many of my good American friends again.
Roses and lilac decorated the beautiful table, and between the few short
speeches a small, well-chosen orchestra entertained us.

Following a delightful message from Pilgrim President Choate, Chauncey
Depew's short welcome was followed by a wonderful address from Nicholas
Murray Butler. With first-hand knowledge of pre-war Germany, he gave us an
insight into those lectures by Treitsche, which he used to attend at the
University of Berlin, and to which officers and members of the Imperial
family crowded. In those days, he admitted, he hardly took Treitsche's
lectures seriously. His analytical exposition of Prussian character and aims
was absolutely brilliant.

Before that date-and since�I have listened many a time, and always with
appreciation, to Nicholas Murray Butler, but that masterly address was the
most striking political review I can recall.

My wanderings throughout America, interesting as they were to me, were not
officially connected with The Pilgrims, though I was specifically invited, as
Chairman of the Pilgrims, to take part in a picturesque ceremony in the West
concerning the opening, or the 'christening', of the Great Pacific Highway.
After this lapse of time I candidly forget the specific object of the
meeting, but have described the picturesque ceremony elsewhere.

At the request of the Chairman of the American Pilgrims I returned to New
York at the end of September 1915, in order to give him a hand in preparation
for the welcome of Lord Reading and the Anglo-French Loan Commission, and for
several days put in many hours per day with my newspaper friends wherever I
thought certain information might be useful. A day or two before the
gathering I had a long talk with dear old Joseph Choate, who told me that he
was determined to preside at The Pilgrims' dinner, even if he were never able
to go out again. He also assured me that he meant to let himself go, giving
me the outline of one or two of his statements in advance. There was
assuredly no half-and-half about them!

The dinner took place at Sherry's on October 1, beneath the intertwined flags
of Britain, France and America, and in the presence Of 400 representative men
who were prominent in the banking, commercial and political life of the
UnitedStates. Ina voice that had lost none of its old power, Joseph Choate,
in most eloquent terms, pleaded the cause of the Allies. Lord Reading
received such a thunderous ovation when he rose to speak that for the moment
he was quite overcome. He spoke with great eloquence and made a most
favourable impression.

At this gathering I sat next to General du Pont-of powder fame-who was, I was
told, the largest subscriber to the loan. Other neighbours were Dr. Manning,
Admiral Peary and Sir Edmund Walker, of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, who
came down from Toronto especially for the gathering. The following morning I
had a long talk with Lord Reading, who was delighted with the wonderful
reception he had experienced, as well as with the excellent Press he had
commanded.

The end of November saw me back in England again.

pps. 103-126
--[cont]--

Aloha, He'Ping,
Om, Shalom, Salaam.
Em Hotep, Peace Be,
All My Relations.
Omnia Bona Bonis,
Adieu, Adios, Aloha.
Amen.
Roads End

<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soap-boxing!  These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.

Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html

http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Om