BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1925, Page 4

BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

NATURAL FRIENDSHIP. SIR HENRY BRAD DON’S SPEECH. Sir Henry Braddon, in supporting the toast of “ Anglo-Saxon Unity ” at the annual dinner of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, made a stirring appeal for an extension of the present friendly relations between Great Britain and the United States. There were many fundamentals, Sir Henry Braddon said, wherein the people of Great Britain and the l nited States united. In those matters the real tendency was not readily shown in the slow processes of formal diplomacy and epistolary interchange, it came out in these episodes where the emotions were deeply stirred and rapid decisions had to he made. As long ago as June, 1859, there was such an instance. At that period Great Britain was at war with China, and when the fleet was attacking, the British naval commander —who bore the honoured name of Hood—found it necessary on four occasions to change hix ship, owing to the deadly fire from the laku forts. His crews had been depleted, and reinforcements were unable to reach him on account ol the strong current. Commodore Tattnall, ol the , nited States Navy, promptly towed Hie British reinforcements into action under the Chinese guns. Meanwhile, Tattnall’s ship had gone ashore still within range of stray shots. Hood thereupon sent two gunboats and towed the United States ship off. Later. Tattnall visited Hood to thank hint for his assistance, and on leaving the British ship the former looked for his own boat’s crew. Instead cil waiting for tlieir officer, the United States sailors were in ost.ly serving a British gun. the crew of which had been killed. Tattnall asked the gun captain for an explanation ot his conduct, as the l nited States was a neutral power. "Beg pardon, sir,” replied the sailor, "they were very short-handed at their guns, so we gave them a help--for fellowship's sake. That was an inspiring incident, hut Tattnall had to satisly his Government. In his despatch lie justified his action by quoting the old proverb "Blood is thicker than watei. and lie iL said with pride Tattnall’s action was approved not only by Ins Governont, but by the people of the United States as a whole. GOD AND HUMANITY. In 1873 again, Sir Henry continued, during an insurrection in 1 üba. ; i Spanish cruiser captured the l nited States vessel Virginia, took her into Santiago, where 55 ol the 1 crew were shut. Captain .Lorraine, ol H.M.S. Niolce, heard of the incident, and steaming straight to Santiago demanded (he surrender of the survivors. Questioned why he bail thus intervened, Captain Lorraine replied, "In the name of Cod and ol : humanity.” There the British officer threatened Dial unless his demand was immeclialclv complied with, lie would blow tho town and several Spanish warships in pert into fragments. There was, how--1 nor, no need to adopt extreme in.'-as-uri's. as the survivors of the Virginia were handed over to the British ship without further discussion. Captain Lorraine's act ion was applauded throughout the United States, and the mine rs of Nevada presented him with a silver ingot, on which was inscribed. ■ “This is a brick —and you are anj other.” ' IN THE PACIFIC. ! Sir Henry Braddon then referred to . incidents in the Pacific-, which Had exI ereised a great influence for the c-ulti-i cation of friendly relations between ; Great Britain, and the United States. • In 1888, the speaker said, there was trouble between Germany anil the United States over the partition of Samoan spheres ot inlhienoe. Germany considered that her commercial interests predominated, and she wanted the United States to retire from the Hold, At that time the United States had no I navy to speak of, and Bismarck deemi eel the time suitable for a bluff. He threatened, through his Press organs, to bombard the coast of the United States. Within' 21 hours, Britain’s leading newspaper intimated that “ if the German Fleet, bombards the United Stales coast, it will he over the British Fleet.” "There was no bombardment,’’ Sir Henry added. lie them referred to the CalliopeTrcnton incident during the Samoan hurricane in 1889, when, as the British ship was steaming out of Apia harbour in the face of the storm, she passed tho Trenton (the flagship of Admiral Kimberley) drifting to certain destruction. As the Calliope’ passed the United States flagship. Admiral Kimberley waved his cap to the British ship, while the crew of the Trenton manned the rigging and cheered the Briti-.h seamen. MANILA BAY. Ten years later, in IMPS, Sir Henry lb-addon continued, there was another inspiring incident at Manila, in the Philippine Islands during the war between Spain and the United States. The United Stales naval commander. Admiral Dewey, was about to attack Manila, and in the bay were British anil German warships. The German' wanted to prevent Dewey from atticekling, and their senior officer ( Dietrieli - asked the British commander fChichi-s-I hi) what the latter would do if the Germans attacked the United States ships. Captain ( hiohester replied. •• That is known only to Admiral Dewey and myself.” and, as a consequence. ! tho Germans did not interfere.