Evening star., 1917-05-20
BRITISH PAY tribute
TO SOUTH'S HEROES
Balfour Mission Places
Wreaths on Tombs of Lee,
Jackson and Stuart.
RICHMOND GREETS PARTY

capital of the Confederacy. and rich in
traditions of the old English cavalier
days, today gave British Foreign Sec
retary Arthur James Balfour and the
British mission. in the name of the
whole south. reception which for
surpassed during the long stay of the
British in the United States.
The eminent visitors. who had come
both to pay a call of courtesy on the
south and to honor the memory of the
Confederacy's famous leaders, Robert
E. Lee. "stonewall" Jackson and Gen.
J. f. B. Stuart, uncle of the present
governor. were showered with every
honor that the hospitable city could
give.
Greeted by Roar of Guns.
The mission was received by salute
of forty-nine guns, escorted by the
Virginia Military Institute cadets in
full dress uniform through crowds
Iriotous, with flags and applause,
the historic executive mansion, and
was cheered to the echo at a packed
mass meeting at the auditorium. A big
southern audience, looking back to the
days of the revolution and the civil
war, in both Of which Virginia played
such large part. sang God Save the
King" and 1.-THE Star Spangled Ban
ner' with fervor that showed that
all past bitterness was gone.
The first address which Mr.. Ba1four
ever made from the rear end of train
took place during brief stop Of the
special train provided by the State De-
partment at Fredericksburg. Mr.. Bal
four told small group of hearers that
he feared he had failed utterly to ex-
press the deep emotions he had felt at
his reception in Richmond and that he
hoped some of the gratitude which he
felt might be conveyed back to his
friends there.
.Wreaths Put on Statues.
The British army took the occasion
during the brief visit to Richmond to
express through Lieut.. Gen. Bridges.
who more than any one else persuaded
the Belgians not to evacuate all their
territory, it's tribute to the military
heroes of the south by placing wreaths
on the statues of Robert Z. Lee, Stone
wall Jackson and Gen. Stuart. Gen.
Bridges spoke of the lessons of char
acter, leadership and endurance taught
by these men and of his hope that those
engaged in the present struggle, both
here and abroad, would be worthy OF
their memories.
Mr.. Balfour, addressing a mass meet
ing at the Auditorium, brought forth
cheers when he said he rejoiced to
think that the gallant American navy
is working hand in hand in the closest
cooperation with those on the other
side who are defending our homes and
yours. And now we read OF your gov
ernments decision to send troops tc
France, The moment when that force
ton, shall land in Europe, will be a
moment memorable in the history Of
mankind"
Best Fighting Material in World.
out of the manhood of America" Mr..
Balfour went on, there will flow, am
convinced, the best fighting material in
the world. and the only limit to that
flow will be the limit imposed by the
material difficulties of transport and
equipment. The United States has
greater resources for modern warfare
do not refer to numbers alone; I refer
rather to that courage, resolution. in
ventiveness, which alone make numbers
efficient. Though unprepared. as we
were unN.epared, you are filled with
that spirit which will bring results as
encouraging to your friends as it will
be dismayng to your enemes."
Germany cannot succeed in this war"
Mr.. Balfour predicted. Success does not
lie along the paths of frightfulness and
known no law, either Of charity or love,
which has cast all scruple to the winds,
which has allowed no consideration to
stand in her way-that nation has raised
up outraged civilization to make GER
tain its own defeat"
Program in Richmond.
The mission. which regretted that
time did not allow full tour Of the
south, left Washington on a special
train at 10 o'clock today, arriving here
at 12:45. There Immediately followed
the march through the crowded city
streets to the executive mansion, where
Gov. Stuart gave a luncheon for a large
party. The governor proposed a toast
to the King of England, and Mr.. Bal
four responded with Il toast to the
President. always dear to the hearts
of all Englishmen. but never more SO
than now.
Lieut.. Gen. Bridges then visited the
three statues of southern military lead
ers and placed on them the tribute of
the British army. The whole party then
proceeded, still under escort of the
cadets. to the Auditorium. where an
ovation and a perfect medley of British
flags greeted the mission.