SIR AUCKLAND GEDDES THE INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZER.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—The most momentous event of the present time is the automatic, unconscious organization of all English-speaking peoples into a constructive civilizing force that must be the controlling factor in the progress of humanity for many centuries to come. During the past two years your Ambassador at Washington, Sir Auckland Geddes, has visited and spoken in nearly every state and large city in the United States. By this he has probably become the best fitted of any living to interpret the inner thoughts and feelings of the several great divisions of our race. During the .past fortnight he has covered the large cities of California,. Oregon, and Washington, and will leave to-morrow for Victoria and Vancouver, B.C. Last evening he spoke in our largest church to a great audience of British birth or ancestry that was perfectly responsive to every utterance. It is safe to say that this Pacific Coast has never before heard such a harmonious combination of high statesmanship, wise instruction, fine humanity, encouraging optimism, modest dignity, and perfect diction from a visitor. Our American people, as a whole, have not heretofore grown in their world outlook in proportion to their growth in power and wealth, and Sir Auckland is doing a tremendous service in helping our people to realize their duty in doing their share of the world's work. But for his influence it is doubtful whether our Administration could have mustered the necessary two-thirds of the Senate to approve the recent treaties. Your people have never appreciated the importance of cultivating a better understanding between our peoples. We are nearer together than ever before, but the work needs to be kept up.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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