MacDONALD AND HOOVER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 786, 5 October 1929, Page 1

MacDONALD AND HOOVER

Historic Meeting Described GREAT LEADERS OF NATIONS Crowds Acclaim British Visitor MACDONALD AND HOOVER have met at last, and history has been made at the White House. It is a notable occasion, for the eyes of all the world are on these statesmen—representatives of the two greatest nations of the earth—and great things are hoped for in world peace and Anglo-American friendship. Mr. MacDonald made a triumphal progress from New York to Washington. Great crowds acclaimed him. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Australian and N.Z. Press Association (United Service)

Reed. 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Friday. The Prime Minister of Britain. Mr. Bamsay MacDonald, was enthusiastically acclaimed as he set foot on American soil on Friday morning. The Cunard liner Berengaria, on which he came from England, was escorted in by the cruisers Memphis and Trenton. The welcoming committee boarded the liner, and Mr. MacDonald, his daughter Ishbel and the others of the party were taken on board the city tug Macom, proceeding to the tip of Manhattan Island. At the Battery, vessels of all descriptions gave a mighty whistle in salute, while the guns of Fort Jay, on Governor’s Island, thundered 19 guns. Mr. MacDonald gave the following statement to newspapermen:

“At the moment of’ my arrival, 1 greet my hosts. His Majesty the King has honoured me by telegraphing his good wishes for the success of my mission, which I feel instinctively is to have benefits far beyond the boundaries of our two countries. The United States and ourselves are really making an appeal, by an example to all the nations to gather round the council board of peace, so that, while cherishing their historical past, and engaging in all healthy rivalries of genius, skill, and work, they will remember the wider unities of a humane civilisation. "You almost make me afraid, by the boundless hospitality you seem to be preparing for me. I hope I shall bd equal to your kindness. "The problems of armaments are full of hidden difficulties, and patient working at the details in an atmosphere of mutual confidence is required to overcome them, and

1 crave judgment from you, as generously sympathetic as your welc°we is to be generously lavish. “When I return and it is all over, I pray I shall leave behind me some memories which will make it easy lor you to think well of Great Britain, and be a reason for close cooperation between your country and mine, in the great causes of democracy and liberty which inspire the peoples on both sides of the Atlantic.” ACCIDENT AVERTED An accident was narrowly averted " the quarantine, when a hawser holding the Macom to the Berengaria Parted as Mr. MacDonald Was pro®ias to step aboard. The Macom slid back several feet, almost pulling the gang-plank off the deck. The trime Minister was warned back, and a new hawser was adjusted. A police band in an accompanying tug played “’Rule Britannia.” while aboard the tug Mr. MacDonald answered questions informally and frankly, and when asked regarding the reaction of other Powers to the nritish-American rapprochement he replied: “If we stood side by side for Peace, who could stand against us? Any mutual uuderstanding reached beWeen our countries will be welcomed ?h the Continent. The thing that thhkes Europe afraid is the enmity of other peoples; they are not afraid of friendship.” Mr. MacDonald told the newspaper men that the British Government was facing unemployment with energy, time would tell what progress had heen made. - Amon g the first to grasp the Prime ' 'mister's hand as he stepped ashore jr* B fhe Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. htunson,. "who with Sir Esme Howard, he British Ambassador, had waited at the pier. Mr. MacDonald was given an official clcome. He was escorted to the y-tty Han and was presented with the Rwdom of the city. The crowds that lined the streets “ obtain a glimpse of the Prime Miu-

ister were not so large as those which welcomed the transatlantic airmen; but nevertheless the people were obviously sincere, and proffered a warm greeting.

Thousands crowded the route to the City Hall, streaming ticker tape on the procession. There was an even greater crowd at the City Hall Park. Mr. MacDonald’s cheeks were glowing and his eyes were sparkling. He seemed in high good humour as he bowed, smiling and waving his hat in greeting. Mr. MacDonald was escorted to the Aldermanic Chamber, where Mayor James J. Walker and the Secretary of State of New York, Mr. Edward Flynn, greeted him in the name of the city and the State. Mr. Walker presented the ' Prime Minister with an embossed scroll from the city, and Mr. MacDonald made a brief response.

Mr. Hector Fuller, official reader of

welcoming scrolls, at the New York reception led the Prime Minister to the dais and announced: “Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister of the United States.” He then broke down, stuttering. Mr. MacDonald turned to Mayor Walker and whispered, “That’s high treason.” The Mayor escorted Mr. MacDonald and his party to their automobiles, which whisked them to the Pennsylvania Station, to board a jpecial train for Washington. REVOLUTION IN DOCTRINES There is throughout America a verykeen recognition of the unusual significance of Mr. MacDonald’s visit. A university professor, addressing a meeting, said a profound revolution was being accomplished in the doctrines and the deeds which govern international affairs. A prominent official expresses the view that if there is a rapprochement between the Umted States and Britain, it will assme the world’s peace. What need was there, he asked, for defensive economic carriers between the English-speaking countries ? The Foreign Policy Association, which is one of the most prominent of the groups who are to entertain Mr. MacDonald, has issued a precis explaining the import of his mission. It observes that it does not mean an Anglo-American alliance, but a world alliance for peace. UNPRECEDENTED MEETING A noted journalist, in a published article, says:—“To appreciate the dramatic import of 'this unprecedented meeting between the leading executives of the two nations, one must grasp the fact that the two Commonwealths they represent hold a population of 640,000,000 —a vast part of the world’s populace.” The people of America also are aware of the personalities of President Hoover and Mr. MacDonald. In all directions stress is laid on the point that their conversations must markedly affect the well-being of vast numbers of human beings. It is emphasised that they will meet like two unofficial friends trying to understand each other’s difficulties. It will be as , though any “John Smith” and “Thomas Robinson” were sitting down to talk matters over in order to arrive at a better understanding of each other’s point of view. Because it is to be an informal exchange of opinions, the possibilities of good from the meeting of the two men are felt to be especially great. They are to meet without the accompaniment of ambassadors, secretaries of State, or Ministerial adjutants. Therefore their meeting will prove of tremendous value. The thought, moreover, that Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Hoover will retire to the President’s fishing camp in the Virginia Mountains, and there hold their conversations, has, because of its simplicity of atmosphere, captured, the imagination of the people of! America. !