Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-23


versation on the various phases OF
American participation.
On all sides il was reiterated that
the British had come in a spirit OF
service and appreciation and that it
was their hope that the lessons they
had learned in the war at such cost
might be OF use to this country in
avoiding similar mistakes. y
Similarly, as one official explained
it, the commission was moved by ex-
actly the same feelings which raised
the Stars and Stripes to the flag tower
Of the Parliament building in London
for the FIRST time a foreign flag ever
has flown there in history.
Secretary Balfour, tall slim,
white haired man Of 50 years, who has
held the highest posts in the empire
since he first entered Parliament forty
three years ago, saw today the COM
pletion of one OF his life hopes, ex-
pressed under vastly different circum-
stances on January Is, 1896, when he
was largely instrumental in averting
war between England and America
over the Venezuela dispute.
at cannot but be-" he said, "that
those whose national roots go down
into the same past as ours, who share
our language, our literature, our laws,
our religion, everything that makes a
nation great, it canpot but. be that a
time will come when they will feel
that they and we have a common duty
to perform, a common Office to fulfil
among the nations Of the world"
Not Here to Make Speeches.
While unable to grant an extended
interview before presenting himself
to President Wilson, Mr.. Balfoul
willingly consented to say few
words as to his general hopes fol
the conference and the Fundamental
purposes behind it. A verbatim cop,
follows: !
"All will agree that my first dut,
as head of diplomatic mission is t
pay my respects to the head OF tn,
state to which | have been sent, ant
no public expression of opinion OF
points of policy would, / think, be use
full or even tolerable until | have ha,
the honor of comforting with you
president and learning his views.
IL have not come here to max
speeches or indulge in interviews, bu
to do what can to make cooperation
easy and effective between those VIII,
are striving with all their power t
bring about a lasting peace by tn
only means that can secure it, namely
a successful war.
Expression Of Qualification.
without, however, violating tn
rule ! have just laid down, there ar
two things which l may permit my
self to say: One, on my own behal
the other on behalf OF my country
men in general.
"On my own behalf, let me expires
the deep qualification | feel at bein
connected in any capacity whateve
! with events which associate our cour
tries in common effort for grei
ideal.
"On behalf of my countrymen, |,
me express our gratitude for all tn;
the citizens OF the United States {
America have done to mitigate the X
of those who in the allied countriC
: have suffered from the cruelties of II
: most deliberately cruel Of all wars.
ITO name no others, the efforts
! Mr.. Gerard to alleviate the conditic
. of British and other prisoners of W;
e in Germany, and the administrati,
: genius which Mr.. Hoover has III
grudgingly devoted TO the relief
e the unhappy Belgians and French
the territories still in enemy occup
ton will never be forgotten while ;
inexhaustible stream of charitable {
fort has supplied medical and nursil
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