Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-04-27
BRITISH MISSION
IN WASHINGTON
CAPITAL Decorated With U. S.
and Allies Flags.
GIVEN A HEARTY WELCOME:
Thousands of People Greet Visitors
Who Were Escorted by Strong
Guard CT Cavalry.

Washington extended a simple but
heartfelt welcome 10 the British HI Il
ister ;cr foreign affairs, Arthur j. Bal
four and the other members OF the
British commission, which has come
to Washington, as Mr.. Bllfour HIM
self expressed it, Ito make co-ofcra
ton easy and effective between those
who are striving-with all their power
to bring about lasting peace by
the only means that can secure It
namely, a successful war"
Everywhere bunting faw in the
lisht breeze, mainly the American ma
lional colcrs. The British Union JACK
and the French tri-color were in evil
dence in many places, but the local
fagmakers had been unable to meet
the public demand for them.
On the plaza and overlapping the
great building at either wing were
gathered some 5000 people waiting pa.
tiently for a glimpse of the nations
guests, res rained at a proper distance
by hundreds of bluecoated policemen
and by Two troops of the Second caVai
~, commanded by Colonel Fenton,
part Of the garrison at nearby Fort
Myer.
Within the station lines had been
drawn separating the travelling public
from the space at the eastern end Of
the concourse across which the visit
ing party was to pass on the way from
the trainshed to the presidents room.
All CT the police captains Of the els
trict had teen ranged here in double
line as a guard of honor, and to keep
back intruders. Two score newspaper
men standing to the east Of the con
course we're the only unofficial per-
SONS permitted in this section of TIE
station Detectives syarmed every.
wnere through the crowds and at var
ious angles where any danger might
lurk. Altogether, the precautions talk
en- to insure the safety Of the nations
visitors exceeded anything ever known
in the history of the district.
Exactly on time, the train bearing
the british commissioners and theiI
attaches drew into the station. Aside
from the guards, only very few per-
sons had been permitted to enter the
trainshed. These included Secretary
Lansing, Frank L. Polk, counselor for
the state department.; William Phil
lips, assistant secretary of state; Hugh
Gibson, secretary of tie American le
cation at Brussels. who distinguish ed
himself b. his extraordinary efforts to
save the life of Edith Cavell, and sew
eral other state department officials.
Representing the British govern
ment were Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the
British ambassador; Colville Barclay
counselor for the embassy; Thomas
Spring-Rice, Mr.. Hohler, Lieutenant
Colonel Murrough O'Brien, Commodore
Guy Gaunt, secretaries and attaches OF
the embassy.
AS the special train stopped two OF
the military officers of the British par.
ty stepped to the floo- of the shed pre-
ceding Immediately Mr.. Balfour The
minister of foreign affairs descended,
hat in hand, and was Immediately pre-.
sented by the British ambassador tel
Secretary Lansing. TIE two secre'
taries exchanged a hearty clasp a1C|
chatted for few moments. while tie
remainder Of the party emerged from
the train and ranged themselves alooe|
the side to permit ola photograph be
ing taken by an Official photographer
the only one which is to be permi,te"
according to the present r,an. When
this was dome the visitors move
along the train shed to the station
preceded by Thomas SpTingRice an
Mr.. Gibson, Mr.. Balfour On The right Ct
Secretary Lansing. The foreign min
lister walked uncovered with head
erect. smiling his greetings to The
handclapping and cheering OF the par
ty that had gathered within the cen!
course. The remainder Of the party
followed without any attempt at order
Of precedence and passed into the
presidents room, at the entrance OF
which a number of automobiles had
been brought up in line for their re.
ception.