The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-04-24

will feel that they and we have Il
common duty to perform. common
Office to fulfill among the nations OF
the world.
While unable to grant regular ;''-
tarview before presenting himself to
President Wilson. Mr.. balfour will
inglv consented to say a few wor---
as to his general hopes for the con-
ferences and the fundamental pur-
roses behind it. A verbatim copy
follows:
"All will agree that my first duty
as head of diplomatic mission is tO
Fay my respects to the head Of the
State to which I have been sent; and
no public expression of opinion Oh
points of policy would. think. De
useful or even tolerable until l have
had the honor of comforting with your
president. and learning his views.
AZ have not come here to make
speeches or indulge in interviews but
to do what | can to make coopera-
ton easy and effective between those
who arc striving with all their power
to bring about lasting peace by the
only means that can secure it. namely,
a successful war.
without. however. violating the
rule | have just laid down. there are
two things which may permit myself
to say:
"One on my own behalf, the other
on behalf Of my countrymen IN gen.
eral
"On my own behalf, let me express
the deep qualification I feel at being
connected in any capacity whatever
with events which associate our coun-
tries in a common effort for great
ideal.
Gratitude for All.
."On, behalf of my countrymen let
me express our gratitude for all that
the citizens of the United States OF
America have done to mitigate the lot
of those who, in the allied countries,
have suffered from the cruelties OF
the most deliberately cruel Of all
wars.
"To name no others, the efforts OF
Mr.. Gerard to, alleviate the condition
of British and other prisoners of war
in Germany and the administrative
genius which Mr. Hoover has un-
grudgingly devoted to the relief OF the
unhappy Belgians and French in the
territories still in enemy occupation
will never be forgotten; While an IN
exhaustible stream Of charitable ell
forts has supplied medical and nurs-
ing skill to the service Of the wounded
and the sick.
These are the memorable dolngs
OF a benefcent neutrality.
"But the days of neutrality are, l
rejoice to think, at an end; and the
first page is being turned in a new
chapter in the history of mankind.
your president, in most apt and
vivid phrase, has proclaimed that the
world must be made safe for de-
mocracy. Democracies whevere they
are to be found and not least the de-
mocracies Of the British empire will
hail the pronouncement as a happy
augury.
"That self governing communities
are not to be treated as neglible SIM
ply because they are small; that the
ruthless domination of one unscrupu-
lous power imperils the future OF
civilization and the liberties Of MAJ
kind are truths of political ethics
which the bitter experience of war IS
burning into the souls OF all freedom
loving peoples.
That this great people should have
thrown themselves whole heartediy
into this mighty struggle, prepared lor
all the efforts and sacrifices that may
be required to win success for this
most righteous cause, is an event at
once so happy and 50 mcmentous that
only the historian of the future Will be
able. as l believe, to measure its true
proportions" ,,
(Signed) "a. ]. Balfour."