Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-12
BALFOUR AT HEAD
Of Commission
TO VISIT AMERICA
NJ. Viviani, Former Premier
of France, Also Will
Come.
ALL EXPECTED TO ARRIVE
WITHIN NEXT TEN DAYS
Conference Said to Have Been
Sought by Allied Lead
ers Themselves.
WILL BE HELD IN WASHINGTON
Distinguished Personnel OF Great
War Council Very Gratifying
to L. S. Officials.
WILL BE HELD IN WASHINGTON
Distinguished Personnel of f;r.,t
War Council Very Gratifying
to L. S. Officials.

b, Associated Prcssl
WASHINGTON. April ll.--.Assemblys
in Washington within a few weeks of
great International war counci, was
toreshadowcd hy an announcement
from the state Department to-day that
BRUSH commission. headed by
erlhur j. Baifour, Minister of For
eiGn Affairs, is expected to ,rriva
within ten days to discuss with The
government here questions connected
with the conduct of the war. In addi.
ton TO the Foreign Minister. the COM
mission will include Admiral de Chair
OF the British navy: General Bridrcs
ot the army. and the governor OF tho
Bank Of England, attended by a NJ
| 'nerous STAFF.
rms was as far as the announcements
made ny the State Department goes.
put u was learned authoritativcly that
frehch commission. composed of Off
cials and officers equally distinguished
rs tue hritish representatives, also Will
ne In washington about the same time
! This commission will he headed -lv
NJ. Niriani. the present Minister of Jus-
ticc in the French Cabinet and form,
erly Premier.
II is not known definitely whether
any other OF the allied powers will
send commissioners TO Washington. but
II is assumed THAI, owing to the dini-
rui'ies III passage and the probable
! deiaN' the interests of these govern
ments will be contidcd TO their resident
ambassadors
TO DISCUSS GENERALLY
QUESTIONS or POLICY
Beyond the statement that the object
! of The commission is to discuss rcn
orally questions of policy conu.rtcd
with the war, no information was
given at the State Departments IL was
made clear that in no way will tile
/ United States government depar, from
the traditional policy of avoiding any,
thihs IN the nature OF political ALI
ahces. though. of course. that does not
/ exclude fuii and intimate military and
haVa' cooperation in the prosecution
of the war.
While it is by no means certain that
there Will be joint meeting of The
visiting commissions, IL the State -
partment should desire 10 avoid .hc
appearance of an alliance, there Is Ger
tain to he concert of action in some
way
The conference is stated to have
been sought by the allied leaders them
selves. in order to discuss every phase
OF the war. The ct,libcr of tho mon
sent, particularly Foreign Secretary
halfour who is remembered here most
warmly for his earnest Endorsement OF
president Wilson'S plan for world fed
Grafton TO insure peace. and Minister
OF Justice Niriani, one OF the first half
dozen statesmen of France is very
gratifying to officials
DiSTRIBu'rION or BI,. LOAN
ONE OF FIRST QUESTIONS
one OF the first questions TO be taken
will be the distribution of the sS.oOy.-
100000 loan TO the allies. for which
President Wilson has asked Congress
Ia provide.
The greatest problem before the con-
ference is stated TO he the maintenance
of the flow of American munitions and
food supplies to Europe. This will he
sought. first. by naval cooperation To
hight the German submarine: second by
construction OF Il huge fleet of woodcE
merchantmen 10 negative its dcstruc-
tiNcncss. and. third, by a ways aud
means to increase American manutaG-
ture and the allies ability to pay for
the products.
Naval cooperation is understood tt
"o:stemplata the policing Of all North
a'd south American waters by the
American Navy. allowing the return
OF the british and French vessels en-
gagged In that work and the safeguard.
Ing by American ships OF at least part
OF the sea lane to Europe
The military participation of tie
United States also probably Will be
discussed in broad terms. though il /.
realized on all sides that this conn.
Try will not attempt to aend an arm,
TO Europe for the present
ANXIOUS 10 SEE AMERICAN
TROOPS on FIGHTING FRoN'r
The military situation OF this co,.n-
try is well understood oy officials
abroad. There is. however. an intense
desire upon the part OF, the general
public in the entente countries to sec
small division OF American troops
at tho front.
The complete reversal OF Ameri.an
relations to the entente powers
through the abandonment OF neutrality
in favor OF war VIII necessitate an en-.