New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-24
By Sydney Brooks

form OF interviews and spondcnce win
the London representatives Of the American
press Any one who, like myself, had op-
portunities OF reaching American readers
and needed official assistance in gathering
material or in getting permission TO visit the
front or the feet, could always count on Mr..
Balfour's as also on Mr.. Lloyd George 81
ready help and sympathy He showed the
keenest interest in the films that were taken
Of the British armies in the making. of the
British factories that had been transformed
TO war purposes. and of life on a British bat
tleship under war conditions. He opened the
first exhibition Of them that was held IN
London, and he dispatched them on their voy-
age TO America with his special benedction.
I do not suppose there was any man in
Great Britain who before the war was less
verscd in the arts of publicity than Mr. Bal
four. The legend still cings TO him that he
never reads the papers. But in the world
CONFUSION he was quick to see that the old
official attitude Of secrecy and silence was
n national blunder Of the first order. | have
never doubted that had he been in Office
when it broke out we should have had much
wiser censorship. Both before and after
Joining the government he did all that any
man could do to remove Anglo-American dit-
ferenccs by speech and per. He did so part
" as matter Of obvious policy and good
sense, but chiefly because, "a he once told
me, all through his forty years and more of
public life he has kept steadily before him
the ideal of close cooperation in sentiment
and policy between all the English speaking
governments and peoples.
He comes now to the United States to ce-
ment that cooperation and perfect il. There
could not be a more fitting instrument. For
Mr.. Balfour though he has never been here
before, knows America, understands il, and
has a profound sympathy with the conserva-
tive, order loving spirit Of American democ-
lacy and with the diffused kindness OF
American life. He is one Of the rare men
who do not have to visit a country IN order
20 know it. He has laid the foundations OF
his knowledge Of America by reading much
end by learning more from the many Ameri-
cans he has met His own amazingly swift
intuitions, his power of dramatic magma
ton, his political instinct and his experience
Of the world have done the rest.
4 Politician with Charm
would give good deal to be present when
President Wilson and Mr.. Balfour. the Off
cial greetings over, sit down to talk. Two
keener or more subtle minds have rarely
come together; and one may prophesy with
entire confidence the beginnings Of a warm
attachment and a mutual admiration. More
perhaps, than any British politician since
| Charles James Fox. Mr.. Balfour has charm
The easy and indsputable ascendency over
the Conservative party which he exercised
in spite of many patent defects of leadership
was at bottom triumph Of personality.
He had, of course, many other assets
great social position and connections one
/ ,,L IS ir, tho Gnpgt OF the
British governing class-a long and intimate
/ experience of Parliamentary life and bust
ness a noble gift of debate, flashing, lumi-
nous. versatile mind. But what has made
and kent him the most warmly liked mem
her Of the whole House is the man himself
and the extraordinary sweetness and sym
nathv Of his nature He has endeared him
self to both sides of the most critical cham
her in the world by hundred bonds of real
personal affection.
Gladstone loved him as a son. His perfect
courtesy TO opponents, those little touches OF
chiyalry that count for so much in an ex
citable and disputatious assembly, his dis
dain for mere personalities and the instant
elevation of tone that his disdain engenders
have done more even than his gifts of mnc
and speech to establish him in the first place
in the sentiments not only of his own party
hut of the whole House. If he was not a
/ great party leader, he was and is an IRE
sistibe critic, a fine intellect, fascinating
| character and a great gentleman.
The House of Commons is his natural
sphere. He needs an audience that will cater
the lightest shades and appreciate the mos
deIicato turns to bring out all his powers
He needs. too, opposition. Mr.. Balfour j:
always at mis- best, whether as debater in
! Il ,fraicf for in, a
time. or as a golfer on the putting green, al
q time of crisis With his back to the wall
bemmed in by his foes, he displays the tenac-