The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-14

Washington. April 11.---Assembly in
Washington within few weeks Of
great international war council was
fsroshadowed by an announcement
from the State department today
that . British commission headed by
Arthur J. Balfour. minister of foreign
AFFAIRS. In expected to arrive within
ten days to discuss with the govern
mont here questions connected with
the conduct OF the war. In addition
% the foreign minister. the dommis-
sion viii include Admiral de Chair of
the British navy. Gen. Bridges of the
arny. and the governor OF the Bank
of pngiand. attended by number
ous slaf1.
~ this was - far as the announce
ment made by the state department
goes. but II was learned authoritatively
that . French commission composed
Of ofAcials and oficers as distinguish
I'd - the British Representatives also
will be In Washington about the same
time. This commission will be headed
BY N. viviani. at present minister
Of Justice In the French cabinet and
formerly premier.
lt is not known definitely whether
any other OF the allied powers will
send commissioners to Washington
but 4 ia assumed that owins to the
oimculties In passage and the prob
abls delay. the interests Of these gov
el}AQents viii be confded to their
! uCrlDcnt ambassadors.
Beyond the statement that the oh
s3eet - the commission is to discuss
atnerally questions Of policy con-
nscted with the war no information
was siven at the state department. 1t
was made clear. however. that In no
way will the United States govern
ment depart from the traditional pol
Icy Of avoiding anything In the nature
Of political alliances.
While II is by no means certain that
there will be a Joint meeting of the
Visiting commissions. II the state de-
partment should desire to avoid the
appearance Of an alliance, there is
certain to be concert Of action In some
way.
The conference is said to have been
sought by the allied leaders them
selves to discuss every phase Of the
war. No attempt viii be made to &c
into details or technical considera-
tious. as the general policies involved
are too stupendous to permit of 1t
The calibre Of the men sent is very
gratifying to officials.
One Of the first questions to be
taken up will be the distribution OF
the $4,000. zoo. 900 loan to the allies
Great Britain has been rendering
financial aid OF the most extensive
scale to several OF her allies and pos.
sibiy when relieved Of the necessity
for continuing such allowances she
may be able TO Set along with much
loss assistance from America thar
she would otherwise require. On the
other hand. the countries whose ex.
change has suffered SO heavily, such
as Russia and Italy. might find wei.
come relief from the financial strair
by an allotment of American fund.
which would have reassuring effec
upon the standing Of these countrie,
In the worlds markets.
The greatest problems before tn,
conference is stated to be the main
tenance Of the flow Of American mu
nitions and food supplies to Europe
This will be sought by naval coopera
ton to fight the German submarines
second, by construction of a hug,
heet Of wooden merchantmen to mega
tive Its destructiveness, and third, b,
AL ways and means to increase man.
facture and the allies ability to pa,
for tho products.
SoVPorhtion III UNDERSTOOD u
contemplate the policing of all NORTH
ana south American waters by the
American navy and the safeguarding
by American ships OF at least par
Of the sea lane to Europe.
Whether the latter will necessitat,
the actual sending of American war
craft to the other side has not beer
announced. but IL II does. arrango
ments have been made to offer the
port Of Brest In France as q,
American naval base.
The military participation of the
United States also probably Will b.
' discussed In broad terms, though Il