Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-12
Commissioners Arrive
Amidst Great Enthu-
siasm by New York
erS
BalfOur Declares If the Armies
Could Know of the Reception
They Would Carry on the
Struggle with Renewed De-
termination

New York May 11.-Arthur James
Balfour, Great Brtain's secretary OF
state for foreign affairs and members
of the British commission accompany
ing to this country, received a well
come of amazing proportions on their
arrival from Washington late today.
Mr.. Balfour was 50 impressed by what
he termed the whole hearted eXhi-
bition of enthusiasm" everywhere that
later in a speech at City hall he assert
ed if those on the other side of the At
lantic could have had a glimpse of it,
there would he renewed determination
to carry through the struggle at all
sacrifices.
The British commission was met in
Jersey City by a group of leading cit
liens, among them Robert Bacon, j,
P Morgan and others of prominence.
Their approach across the river to the
Battery landing was heralded to wait
ing thousands by continuous saluates
from river craft.
"The Famous Statue"
Mr. Balfour showed keen interest in
tho Statue Of Liberty on the trip to
Manhattan. $50 that's the famous
statue, ilt Hdib. iIt S,t'NNN 81 ~ ''A
several minutes.
Entering City hall for the official
welcome from the mayor, Mr.. Baifour
and his party were escorted to tho al
dermanic chamber. where the mayor and
Joseph H. Choate outlined the aims OF
tie United States in the war and the
reasons why the nation joined in the
struggle.
Shakes Hand of Choate
For the citizens Of New York, 1 pre-
sent our foremost citizen. the Hon. Jo-
seph II. Choate," was the way Mayor
Mitchell introduced the former ambas
sador to Great Britain. Before Mr..
Choate could begin to speak, Mr.. Bal
four stepped down from the platform
and shook Mr.. Choate's hand warmly.
The incident provoked cheers
You have told us that America could
no longer stand aloof." Mr.. Balfour
said, but must take her part in this
worlds struggle and must bear a share
and it will be great share. great
share-in that contest for the liberties
of mankind which is now moving every
corner of the earth
Abiding to an assertion by the mayor
that the moral sense of New York City
had been with the Allied cause from the
beginning, Mr.. Balfour said: II know
that it is so. and, believe me, even before
you came in and before, as Mr.. Choate
said, you were prepared to throw every
thing you possessed into the struggle,
even before that, the consciousness that
we had behind us the sympathy of this
great nation was no small support to
those who were for the moment bearing
the whole burden and heat of the day.
But a happier occasion has come Mr.,
Balfour added. The United States have
thrown in all they possess of manhood,
of wealth, and Of those high qualities
which are better than wealth and greater
in the cause Of terrestrial cause than
wealth. They have thrown all of those
resources in common stock They are 60
ing to share our fortunes, share our
trials. share our struggles and, Mr. Mayor
and gentlemen, share our triumpbS.'
Leaving City hall, escorted by
squadron of cavalry and two troops of
mounted police, the automobiles carry
ing the city's guests were driven north
through Lafayette street and Union
square to Fifth avenue and thence to
the home of Vincent Aston. where they
will be entertained while in New York.