The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-25
BalfOur Finishes Plans for
Beginning of Joint
Sessions.
MAY HASTEN RETURN
British Leader to Depart
Before His Colleagues,
Washington Hears.
FOOD IS BIG QUESTION
Expert in Charge for Allies
Outlines Present COopera-
tive Methods.

tive Methods.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-To- morrow
will find the spokesmen for the United
States and Great Britain ready for the
serious business OF the war council
Tho social amenities prescribed by
state usage for such a visit as that of
Mr.. Balfour and his associates were
, climaxed tonight by Secretary of State
lAnsing's reception among the palm
trees of the pan-American Building
Hereafter the daily conferences will be
Intensive. for the time OF the visitors
is limited. and 1t Is even reported that
Mr.. Balfour may return to London
ahead of the others after performing
his duty in consulting with the Presi-
dent on matters OF general policy
The British mission and 6ts staff
cleared its own decks for action at a
meeting in the British Embassy. Mr.
Balfour, presiding, told his colleagues of
definite plans which had been made
for Interchange of information among
them and the American and French
Representatives. He is understood to
have empha aszed the fact that no con-
| clusions could be reached until the
| opinion Of France had been given by
Minister Of Justice Niviani. Marshal
Joffre and the others Of the French
deputation. who will arrive here to-
F, morrow.
Many Conferences Held.
This instructive session was followed
/ by activity all along the line. Secretary
! McAdoo had an hours talk with Lord
! Cunliffe. governor OF the Bank of Eng
land, regarding the distribution Of the
! $4,000 900. 900 credit which Congress has
! voted the Allies. President Wilson late
/ in the afternoon crossed from the White
! House to the State, War and Navy
! Building and spent ton minutes with
Secretary OF War Baker. who had pre-
viously conferred with Gen. Bridges.
head of the military section of the Brit
ism mission, Admiral Benson saw Ad-
miral de Chair. This evening the series
of dinners given by Cabinet members to
I the principals OF the British mission
I We're marked by serious and pertinent
discussion OF tho two nations mutual
/ problems.
Meanwhile the experts ou shipping,
I munitions. food supplies and other mat
, ters which require technical discussion
! visiteI one another. opened their port
I folios and exchanged opinions and facts.
to newspaper men to-day he refraincd
from any word which might be con-
strued as an attempt to advise the United
states as TO policy. He spoke OF con-
scription as having been the only solu-
ton of Great Britain's problem, but he
would not express any view as 20
whether il should be adoptd here,
Officers May Go Abroad.
II is considered likely that Gen. Joffre
will approve OF any plan to train al
American force for fighting in France
! Meanwhile the impression grows thai
American army officers may he sent tc
France soon to gain first hand knowledge
! Of moiern warfare. They would not sc
| with the primary object OF helping the
Allies. it Is said. but to visualize in The
field the lessons which the representa-
tiyes of tire Allies have brought 10 Wash.
ington and to return to this country tC
give the fruits of their survey to the
American army.
Alan Anderson OF the British commits.
sion, who has charge of the purchasing
, OF all the wheat and maize for Grea,
Britain. FNance and Italy, outlined TO,
day the views which he undoubtedly vii
present to officials OF the United States
Government. He avoided any suggestion
OF attempting to dictate how this coun-
try should help in the important food
and transportation problem. but he has
no doubt that a mutually beneficial work
ing agreement would be reached.
we all sink or swim together" said
Mr. Anderson In describing how Great
Britain. France and Italy had agreed tc
pool their interests I'm food imports, The
feeding of these countries now comes
under the jurisdiction OF single com
mittee. tho wheat executive. and this
committee is directed by ono man, Mr.
Anderson.
Economised In Transport.
In canvassinE the general food situa
ton Mr.. Anderson found that Grea
Britain had enough wheat and enoug'
ships to meet all tho British needs com
fortably. But at the same time report
were received showing that dif.icultie
OF transportation and the increasin,
shortage OF ship tonnage were raisin,
havoc with the food problem in Franc,
and Italy. II WAS decided therefore I,
make common cause OF the whole foot
problem,
one salient feature Of the policy fo'
lowed by Mr., Anderson In meeting tn
general problem was to economizc trans
port facilities. All the transport facil
tiles OF Great Britain, France and Ital,
were combined to be made use of undo
the direction OF one head. Thus BrI,isl
ships now transport Australian whoa
to Italy. Italian ships carry Argentin
wheat to Great Britain.
Scenes without parallel in America
history featured the reception given 4
honor OF Foreign Secretary Ralfour 10
night at the Pan American Union Build
ing Attended by the President. mem
bers OF his Cabinet. Justices Of the Su
preme Court prominent officers of IA
army and navy and virtually ever
member Of Congress, II brought MI
Balfour and the British Commissioner
in contact with American ofticialdom 1
circumstances OF the most pleasing ma
ture
Miss Jeanette Rankin was the onl
woman present. She was presented I
Mr. Ralfour, who afterward paid her
sigma, compliment. "She Is YER
charming woman" said the Englis
statesman, and hinted that some da
women would have n voice in the Britis
Parliament.