THE HUNDRED YEARS' PEACE.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE "srzczkrox."] SIR,—My Committee ask me to draw your attention to our first public appeal and Lord Weardale's report, and to express the hope that you will commend the great and important object of the appeal to the generous support of your readers. We have received a number of substantial contributions, and hope to issue our first list (of sums over £100) in a week or so.—On behalf of the Committee, I am, Sir, &c.,
H. S. PERRIS, Secretary.
FIRST PUBLIC APPEAL ON BEHALF OF THE Paoanernra OF THE BRITISH COMMITTEE.
The British Delegation, headed by Lord Weardale, which has recently completed its successful and memorable visit to the United States for the purpose of conferring with the American and Canadian Committees on the subject of the approaching celebration of the first century of peace between the British Empire and the American Commonwealth, has brought back glowing reports of the enthusiasm with which it was received by the American Government, cities, and people, and of the activity both in America and in Canada with which the preparations for the Centenary are being advanced. Lord Weardale's report of the visit makes clear the warmth of the welcome with which the British delegates were received, and the vast dimensions which the movement has assumed on the other side of the Atlantic.
The moment has now arrived when it becomes necessary to appeal to the liberality of our own public for funds to carry out the important projects included in the British programme for the celebration, so that the great blessings which have come to both the British and American peoples through a completed century of unbroken peace may be made known throughout the Empire and to all succeeding generations. Both the American and Canadian Committees are arranging their separate programmer for the commemoration of the hundred years' peace, and these will involve the expenditure of large sums upon permanent monuments, works, and endowments of an educational character.
The British programme has been carefully considered by a committee of a most representative character, and forms, it is believed, a comprehensive and far-reaching scheme for com- memorating an event great in the annals of civilisation and in the history of the two peoples, and worthy of a splendid celebration. The British Committee for the celebration held its inaugural public meeting at the Mansion House, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor of London, on December 18th last. At that meeting Earl Grey, on behalf of the Committee, explained the proposals which had already been adopted. These included :— (1) The erection of a memorial of the centenary of peace in Westminster Abbey. Permission has been obtained from the Dean and Chapter. (2) The purchase of Sulgrave Manor, Northants, the ancestral home of the Washington family, and its maintenance as a place of pilgrimage for Americans in England, and as a fruitful symbol of the kinship of the two peoples. An option on this historic property has been secured. (3) The foundation of a permanent chair of Anglo-American History and the endowment of a scheme of annual prizes in the elementary and secondary schools for essays on topics germane to the objects of the celebration. The above programme, as was stated by Earl Grey, will involve an expenditure of between £50,000 and £60,000. The proposals have received the enthusiastic endorsement of the British press generally, and, since the recent visit of the British Delegation, there is abundant evidence that they have given great satisfaction to the Government and the people of the United States. It is the earnest desire of the Committee that the entire sum mentioned may be raised during the present year, so that it may be possible to put the projects into immediate execution, and to arrange a further programme of international festivities to take place at the actual time of the Centennial—less than two years hence.
The Committee feel that they are entrusted with a commemora- tion of rare historical moment, and that, in the words of the late American Ambassador to this country, the Hon. Whitelaw Reid, "a failure to give it such a celebration as should challenge the attention of the whole world would be a crime." In this belief they ask for the prompt and generous contributions of the British public to the Centenary Fund now opened. Cheques should be made payable to the order of the British American Peace Centenary Fund, and may be crossed 'Bank of England, Western Branch.' Donations may. if desired, be ear- marked for either of the proposals included in the programme. Inquiries and requests for explanatory papers or for further copies of this appeal should be addressed to the Secretary at the address given below.
Signed, on behalf of the British Committee, GREY ROTHSCHILD REVELSTOKE
(Honorary Treasurers). COWDRAT (Chairman of Finance Committee). (President).
PLYMOUTH
(Deputy-President).
SHAW OF DUNFERMLINH (Chairman of Executive).
189 Central Buildings, Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W.
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