Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-17
WELCOME BALFOUR
HERE ON SATURDAY
Other Members of British War
Mission Accept Invitation
to Visit Richmond.
BE ROYALTY ENTERTAINED
Governor Stuart in Direct Charge
OF Program to Receive Dis
tinguished Guests.
BE ROYALTY ENTERTAINED

~ 's''h W Si6h y. OtncT
members of the British war mission TO
America will come TO Richmond on
Saturday TO receive a tribute and vel
come from the South and. at the same
tune. to do honor to the heroism Of
the southern soldier. With the dis
tinguishcd overseas visitors will come
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. ambassador
from Great britain TO the United
States. and Assistant Secretary Of state
Long. representing the State Depart
ncnt.
The hope that the capital OF the
Confcdcracy would have AN opportunity
of joining in the general acclaim with
which the hero of the Marnc has been
met In all the American cities he has
visited was dissipated yesterday with
statement from Marshal Joffrc anS
former Premier Niviani that pressing
demands for their presence in France
have caused them to cut short their
stay. Richmond WAS mentioned in the
official statement AS one of the cities
which the French mission would have
liked TO visit
WILLIAM PERSUADES BALFOUR
TO COME TO VIRGINIA
The British ENJOYS also had but lit :
tic time for such a trip. Finally. Comp.
troiler of the Currency John shelton
Williams suggested that, in paying :.
visit TO Richmond. the party would lie
honorins the entire South. The inv
tati"n Mas formally accepted ycste.
day.
Though the risi, OF tho DISTINGUISHED cd
Britons will be a short one. the party
remaining i'm Richmond only six or
seven hours, Plans ere under va. to
give them ri.o of tie most ',nie.
hearted and elaborate Welcomes they
have ye; received. Details are now.
being arranged by Governor Stuart
and committee he has invited 70 CO.
"pcrat" with III, and will be n.a -
public at the e"riiest opportunity.
IT has bees. decided. however mat
Hr. Ealfou. w. make speech some
lime in the afternoon at the Cit, Audi
toitunl. :r,"'fton also will b. Ken.
"'red the pu'tS At "a. place yet to bu
dcsiGnatcd. Military organizations Will
parade through the principal streets.
Governor stuart was arranging the de-
tails last night at late hour AT the
executive Mansion. after receiving
positive information that the mission
had accepted the invitation to visit
Richmond
ADMiRER OF GENERAL. LII.
The party will include. besides Mr..
Ralfour, General Bridges. the represen
'atiFc OF the British army on the mis-
"'on; Sir George Foster, Admiral de
Chair Sir Cecil Spring Rice and AS.
sistant Secretary of State Long. The
visitors Will travel on "A special train.
The suggestion has been made that
IN touring the city Mr. Balfour and
his party be driven TO Monument
Avenue. where the magnificent statue
OF Robert L. Lee was erected some
years ago by the entire South. GEN
erai Bridges is an open admirer Of
the Confederate soldier He strongly
expressed his admiration for him when
he recently met Representative Tall
colt. OF Maryland Confederate veteran
When told that the Congressman was
follower of Lee. he threw his arms
over his shoulders and exclaimed: .I
am delighted TO meet you; you are the
salt of the earth"
In making a trip to the old capital
of the Confederacy it Is believed that
the Englishmen are not simply coming
under the strong pressure of urgent
invitation. but that they will be full
filling real desire. The intense ad-
miration of the English for the South
is well-known. In the Capitol Square
here there stands a statue OF Stoncwall
Jackson. presented TO the South by
Englshmen AS token of the great
esteem and admiration which they have
for one Of the greatest leaders Of the
Confederacy.
The British and French missions
were invited here by both the State
and the city authorities. 1t is expected
that one OF the greatest thronss Rich
mond has ever witnessed will greet the
distinguished visitors.