Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-24
FRENCH DELEGATES
ON j. s. TERRITORY;
AWAITED BY BRITISH
Minister Balfour and COL
leagues Want Allies in Con-
ference With Americans.
MARSHAL J0FFRE AMONG
DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS
State Department Announces High
Commissioners From Paris Will
Reach Capital Tomorrow.

ASCoSA OdpASoA AVnOAAV".
The French commission has
safely landed in the United States.
This announcement was made to-
day in an official statement OF the
United States government.
Naval and military attaches of
the French embassy at Washing
ton and American naval and mill
tary officers, together with rep
resentative of the State Depart
ment. Immediately boarded the
French vessels and extended a
welcome to American shores.
The State Department later an
nounced that the French commits
sion would arrive in Washington
tomorrow morning.
To Arrive on the Mayhower.
The French mission will arrive in
Washington on the Presidents yacht
Mayfiower. which will land the party
at the Washington navy yard
The party was met at the point of
arrival (not stately on behalf of the
government of the United States by the
following officials: Third Assistant Sec
retary OF State Breciimidge Long. Mai.
"a -
Cosby. Maj. Fox Conner and Capt.
Philip Sheridan and Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy Franklin d. Roose-
welt and Rear Admiral H. NJ. p. Huse.
The members Of the commission also
were met on their arrival by the French
ambassador. NJ. Jusserand, the French
military attache. Col. Vignal and French
naval attache. Commander de Blantre.
1t Is expected they will be escorted BY
Of Henry White. on aslmont M strest ssaaneer near
18th street. which will be their home
during their stay in Washington.
Little headway was made in actual
conferenee work BY the British com
was desired that the French commits
sion be represented at the Joint con-
ferences with officials of this country
at which an understanding is sought Of
the part the United States will take In
the war against Germany.
British Delegation in Conference.
At IL o'clock Arthur James Balfour.
British foreign secretary. and all the
members Of the commission were In
conference. unattended by any Ameri-
cans. at the home placed at the dis
posal of Mr.. Balfour's party at 1929
18th street
The most important event of the day
will be reception at the Pan-Ameri-
can Union building this evening at 10
o'clock by the Secretary of State for
Mr.. Balfour. This reception was ar
ranged to give members of Congress
an opportunity of meeting Mr.. Balfour
Admission will be by card only.
Earlier in the evening various groups
Of the commission will be entertained
by the Secretaries of State, War and
Navy. The commission will split up in
accord with the heads of the depart
ments with which they will confer.
Mr.. Balfour had luncheon with Henry
White. an acquaintance Of many years,
standing in London, and later in the
afternoon he planned to make and re-
ceive official calls.
At 4:30 o'clock this afternoon Mr.. Bal
four. accompanied by Mr.. Gibson Of
the State Department, will call on Mrs
Wilson. At o'clock the British foreign
minister will call on Mrs. Lansing.
Announcement Of Arrival.
The official statement concerning the
landing of the French commission in
the United States follows:
'Tbe Department of State is advised
of the safe arrival of the French com.
mission"
The commission. which includes Mar
shal Joffre and former Premier yiyi-
ami. arrived early this morning on boa rd
speedy steamship of the French line
which was conveyed across the Atlantic
The vessels were met Off the coast
by American torpedo boat destroyers
and escorted to a port.
Members of the French commission.
in addition to those already announced
are Lieut.. Alfred J. A. X. Lindeboom
of the ministry of marine. a specialist
in sea transport. and Capt George +
Simon, aid d-de-camp to Admiral Coche-
prat.
To Organize Commissions Work.
At the conference of the British com
mission this morning 1t was sought
further to organize the work of the
commission while in this country.
Oficials Of all the American admin.
istrative departments having to do with
the war have indicated to the British in
formation which would be of value tn
tnenl, anu Vhr. bdiIour personally is try
ing to work out the means of securing
and distributing the results of Eng
lands experience to the best advantage.
Invitations have been received from
all parts of the country asking Mr..
Balfour or other members of the COM
mission to visit them, but at present
the British do not feel that they can
take any time away from the capital.
Mr.. Balfour. deeply appreciative of the
welcome, is nevertheless so completetn-
the directing head of the commission
that ii might seriously cripple his con-
ferences with the government here IL
he left town.
Avoiding any reference which could
be construed as urging a policy on the
United States. Gen. Bridges. at a confer
ence with newspaper men today. told
how the British now recognize the costly
results. both in military and industrial
lines. Of the volunteer system, and how
the British democracy now stand solid
ly back of universal military service.
Gen. Bridges will consult freely with all
American army officers. and he has a
mass of detailed information to place
at their disposal. 1t also is possible he
may meet military committees Of Con-
gress.
President Wilson and Mr.. Balfour are
known to have touched upon the broad
phases of the war situation yesterday
f<s<~.