Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-09
U. S. COMMISSIONERS
M e t by Ambassador
Page at London After
Pleasant. Voyage

London Nov. S--The special Amer
lean commission to the allied confer
ence arrived in London last night at
midnight. 1t is. headed by Col. r.. NJ.
House as special commissioner with
the honorary rank of special ambassa-
dor.
I'VE had a pleasant and uneventfu.
Voyage" Colonel House told The AAS
sc ciated Press. The weather was air
There were no submarines 1t was the
best vacation | have had in Two years
The commissioners We're met by AM
baSsador Page. Vice Admiral Sims,
commander o the American destroy
er squadron, and Foreign Secretary
Bal0ur. There are - persons in the par
ty. including Admiral Benson. Genera
bliss, Vance {. Mccormick. chairman
or the war trade board: Oscar Cros-
by, assistant secretary of the treasury:
cambridge Colby of the United States
Shipping Board: DR.. A. +. Taylor. rep
resenting the food controller and Paul
CraVath. Mrs. House and two women
who are acting in Secretaral capaci-
ties. are i'll the party. Colonel and Mrs
House were driven TO the residence Of
the Duke Of RoXburghe. where they
will stay while in London.
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 Colonel
House presiding. The meeting Ia sted an
hour. Colonel House outlined a tenta-
/. tive program for the next few davs.
calling for Il series of conferences with
| BRITISH officials. Each member OF the
mission will discuss his particular work
| with British officials in charge Of sim
! liar activities in England.
-admiral Benson had an early call
to make on Admiral Jellicoe. first sea
lord, and General Bliss expected to
visit the war office durins, The day.
\ am impatient TO see with my own
eyes the great efforts England is max
ING towards solving the shipping prob
lem. said Mr.. Colby, 'and with this
end in view. will pay an early visi,
to the great shipyards. America is
! no" July awake to the importance Of
| tonnage in this war and is carrying ont
program OF unparalleled sma gnitude.
HHlponlldlng now takes priority over
| all Otler work in our country"
| some or the members of the mission
are planning an early visit to France.
am here as political representa-
! i've OF the American government ac-
! 4uaintinS myself with the latest de.
! Nelopnents in official circles in eng
iahd preparatory to going to France T.
attend the Paris Allied conference"
said colonel House "Our STAY In
England viii be brief and every hour
viii he crowded with conferences"
! An official of the British government
! called upon Colonel House at the resi-
1 den"e Of the Duke OF Hoxburfha T,
asquant bim with the political over
turn in Russia
{ ut is too delicate and too serious as
subject for me to comment on az this
time, said the colonel
This afternoon. the colonel lunched with
Mr. Balfour He devoted ;ho remainder
of the day to conferences with British
officials.
. Col. House received the British and An
erican newspaper men today and hanIe
out a statement embodying Secra:arr
Lahsing's announcement. lie submit 10
pleasant to Questioning. As to whethe"
he would remain in Europe he rsplieI
he did nor expect 20 STAY long. but add
ed: Il a!ways take everything win M,
to he prepared for en- ergencieS."
= He said that Mr.. Cr32by would stay
in London IS The American financial rep
reaentatiye. Col. House replied mega
tivel" 20 the question whether the com
missions presence meant that the mi:
ell States would Join the Fact Of Lon
don binding the Allies TO wage wa ."
make peace together. TO several durs-
ticne from the British .ccrraspandents rc-
garding the exact work Of the confer.
ence he said:
YOU own government will he IN
better oosi ION to give .ou that infor-
nation