The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-08
LANsING's STATEMENT

ment
 The government of the United States Will participate in the approaching con ference of the powers waging war against the German Emperor and has sent it's representative, Mir. Edward M. House, who is accompanied by Admiral w. s. Benson, chief of naval operations; General Bliss, chief of staff United States army; Oscar T. Crosby, assistant Secre- tary of the Treasury; Vance C. McCor- mick. chairman of the war trade board; Bainbridge Colby. United States shipping board; Dr. Alonzo E. Taylor, represent Ing the food controller; Thomas Nelson Perkins, representing priority board. and Gordon Auchinzloss as secretary
 WAR" CONFERENCE
 ''The conference is essentially war conference with the object of perfecrias a more complete coordination of the F. tivities of the various nations enga. sd in the conflict and the more conprehen- sive understanding of their respective needs in order that the joint efforts of the cobelligerents may attain the highest War efficiency. While a definite pro- gramme has not been adopted 1t may be assumed that the subjects to be dis cussed will embrace not only those per- taining to military and naval operations, but also the financial, commercial, eco-
 
 which are of vital importance to the successful prosecution of the war.
 There will doubtedly be an effort to avoid any conflict of interest among the participants; and there is every reason to anticipate that the result will De fuller cooperation and consequently 2 much higher efficiency and more vigor- ous prosecution of the war
 WANTS TO BE THOROUGH
 The United States in the employment of it's man power and material resources desires to use them to the greatest ad- vantage against Germany. It has been no easy problem to determine how they gan be used most effectively since the independent presentation of requirements oy the allied governments have been more Or less conflicting on account of each governments appreciation of it's own wants which are naturally given greater importance than the wants of other governments. By 8 general survey of the whole situation and free dis cussion of the needs of all the approach ng conference will undoubtedly be able 10 give to the demands of the several governments their trne perspective and proper place in the general plans for the conduct of the war.
 FREE DISCUSSION
 Though the resources of this country Ire vast and though there is every pur- pose to devote them all, if need be, to win llns the war, they are not without limit But even if they were greater they should Ill be used to the highest advantage in lttaining the supreme object for which We are fighting. This can only be done y full and frank discussion of the ,ians and needs of the various bel igeFents It is the earnest wish of this government to employ it's military and laval forces and it's resources and energy where they will give the greatest re- urn in advancing the common cause The exchange of views which will take lace at the conference, and the con- lusions which will be reached will be of he highest value in preventing waste of nergy and in bringing into harmony he activities of the nations which have 'een unavoidably acting in a measure in- ependently. Tn looking forward to the assembling I the conference it cannot be too strong | emphasized that it is a war confer- l nee and nothing else, devoted to devis- ! ng ways and means to intensity the | forts of tho belligerents against Ger lany by complete cooperation under a | enerai plan and thus bring the conflict l speedy and satisfactory conclusion"
 GREAT GENERAL STAFF NHO oitldtlOh pICluIGQ DY the SecrG- | ary shows that the real purpose of the | onference is to create in effect a great | eneral stan to coordinate and direct | ne energies of the cobelligerents It will l the duty of the conferees to deal with | liiitary strategy in such sweeping terms hat entire nations will be but units Of | perations in the great game The whole 'orld Is to be welded into one mighty i ar making machine.
 
 COMPLEX PROBLEM Mir Lansing discloses something of the omplex problems with which the govern lent has had to deal in serving as the 'easurer and storehouse for all the aI- cs.
 Already money and supplies have been cured out at the call of the various overs With lavish hand. As each mis- on mas come to present it's case and ate It's needs, it's arguments have been card and the resources of the United tates have been drawn upon.
 Each visiting mission, however, has ealt largely or only with it's own needs ach has clamored for men, ships, money. ,od. munitions or what it most lacked. nere has been the same task of CO., 'cinated plans and predetermined objec- ye and purposes that has been apparent
 times on the battleflelds of Europe
 AMENlSA lS AHBlIEk Thus, while dealing with the necessity
 providing for it's own military needs Id eiecting the course of it's own mili- ny efforts, the United States has been ace by circumstances the arbiter of any phases of the war. It has been reed to make decisions which may have "a already far-reaching effect upon the ogress of the war
 The great war conference will relieve e government of this burden There is hint of stinting the help, but at the uncil table there will be weighed side
 side. the needs of all the powers to
 aided, The resources of each will be viewed and perfected plan of action opted upon which can be based the livery of American supplies of men, prey or 1ood wherever they will be most 'ective for the common cause. Ii
 MEN ARE FITTED The men who composed the American ssion are regarded by the government
 eminently fitted for their tasks IS .