Evening star., 1917-11-08
SPECIAL ENJOYS
ARRIVE IN LONDON
American Delegates to Allied
Conference Report an Un-
eventfuI Voyage.
COL. HOUSE HEADS PARTY

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, November S.-The special
American commission to the allied con-
ference arrived in London last midnight.
It is headed by Col. E. NJ. House as spe
cial commissioner with the honorary
rank Of special ambassador.
"We had a pleasant and uneventful
voyage" Col. House told the Associated
Press. "The weather was fair, there
were no submarines. 1t was the best
vacation have had in two years."
The commissioners were met by Am
bassador Page, Vice Admiral Sims.
commander of the American destroyer
squadron. and Foreign Secretary Bal
four. There are twenty-seven persons
in the party, including Admiral Ben
son. Gen. Bliss, Vance Mccormick,
Chairman Of the war trade board: Os-
car T. Crosby, assistant secretary of
the Treasury: Bainbridge Colby of the
United States Shipping Board: DR.. A.
E. Taylor, representing the food con-
troller. and Paul Cravath. Mrs. House
and two women who are acting in secre-
y.
Mrs. House were driven to the resi-
dence of the Duke of Roxburghe, where
they will stay while in London.
Conference Held This Morning.
The members of the mission arose
late this morning, much refreshed after
their first comfortable nights sleep in
many days. The first thing they did
was to go into conference, with Col
House presiding. The meeting lasted
an hour. Col. House outlined tenta-
tive program for the next few days,
calling for a series Of conferences with
British officials Each member Of the
mission will discuss his particular work
with British officials in charge of SINH
lar activities in England.
Admiral Benson had an early call to
lord. and Gen. Bliss expected 10 visit
the NsF efacs: during The day. ~ =
Mr.. colby's Chief Purpose.
- see with myswn
eyes the great efforts England is MAX
ing toward solving. the skipping prob
lem. said Mr.. Colby. '.and with this
end In view wifi pay an early visit to
the great shipyards.. America Is now
fully awake to the Importance Of tom
mage in this war and Is carrying out a
program Of unparalleled MAGNITUDE.
Shipbuifding now takes priority over
all other work in our country"
Some OF the members of the mission
are planning an early, visit to France.
Few to Greet Party at Station.
When the train bearing the mission
reached London the big metropolitan n
most deserted. but long line Of wait
ing automobiles, the majority in charge
of khakf-ciad chauffeurs. attracted the
attention of the train hands and a few
suburbanftes who gathered about the
platform and speculated as to the iden-
tity Of the distinguished-looking party.
with Its great piles of new American
baggage.
Mr.. Page and Mr.. Balfour were on the
scene early and while waiting walked
utes. chatting about the war. Col.
House and Admiral Benson, the first to
alfght, were greeted heartily by Mr..
Baifour. who met them on his recent
visit to America.
Greets the Correspondents.
Col. House. appearing to be in good
health. greeted the American cor
respondents two of whom he remem-
bered. having known them in Wash
ington. Then he introduced Mr.. Bal
four and Mr.. Page to Mrs. House and
walked TO the waiting automobile and
was taken to the home of the Duke
Of Roxburghe. near the new American
Officers Club. After Admiral Benson
and Gen. Bliss had shaken hands with
Vice Admiral Sims they were driven,
with the other members of the mis-
sion. to the West End Hotel.
Several days of rough weather dur
ing the voyage put the seamanship of
the Americans to a severe test. Not
withstanding this, daily conferences
took place. The commissioners ex-
amined the mass of statistics bearing
on their respective departments and
themselves with the Inn
portant work before them on this side
Of the Atlantic.
yorh me res Iesoi. 10 OF t 5ne @ eieetion ~ IN New
wireless news which the party received
during the voyage. It was picked up
early Wednesday.
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