South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-22

train started the large party broke
up into groups of army. navy AMI
state department officials to begin at
once the informal conversations
which are expected to sketch out
Americas part in the world fight
against German autocracy.
Mr.. BalfOur and Sec'y Long:
Lieut. Gen T. Bridges, who drew
the first blood for England in Au-
gust. 1914. and Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood; and Rear Admiral Sir Dud-
lev Dechair and Rear Admiral F. +.
Fletcher were soon in deep CONVEX
sation on the various phases of
American participation.
on all sides it was reiterated that
the British had come in a spirit of
service and appreciation that it was
their hope that the lessons they had
| learned in the war at such cost
might be of service to this country
in avoiding similar mistakes. SINH
larly. as one official expressed il, the
commission was moved by exactly
the same feelings which raised the
stars and stripes to the flag tower
of the parliament building in Lon
don for the first time a foreign fiaS
has ever flown there in history.
BalfOur Realizes Life Hope.
Sec'y Balfour, a tall, slim. white
haired man of 60 years, who has
held the highest posts in the empire
since he first entered parliament 80
years ago, saw today the completion
Of one Of his life hopes expressed
under vastly different circumstances
on Jan. Is, 1895. when he was large
! ly instrumental in averting war be-
| tween England and America over
| the Venezuela dispute
1T 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 nation great, it can
not be but that time will come
when they will feel that they and
we have a common duty to perform,
a common office to fulfill among the
nations of the world"
While unable to grant a regular
| interview before presenting himself
TO Pres't Wilson. Mr. Ralfour will
| ingIy consented 10 say a few words
as 10 his general hopes for the con-
| ference and for the fundamental
purpose behind II.
4 verbatim copy follows:
Must see Wilson First.
All will agree that my first duty
as head OF "a diplomatic mission is
/ 10 pay my respects 10 the head OF
! the state 20 which have been sent;
and no public expression of opinion
on points OF policy would. l think
I be useful or even tolera bic until
have had the honor of comforting
with your president and learning his
views. have not come here 20
+ make speeches or indulge in inter
views. but 70 do what I can 20 make
cooperation easy and effective be-
/ tween those who are striving with
all their power 10 bring about a last
ing peace by the only means that
can secure. namely. a successful war
without however, violating the
rule I have just laid down. there are
two things which 1 may permit my
self 10 say: One. on my own be-
half. the other on behalf OF ms
countrymen tn general
u ION my own behalf let me eN-
press the deep qualification I feel al
being connected in any capacity
whatever with even this which as
. sociate our countries in a common
z effort for a great ideal
Praises Gerard and Hoover.
} ION behalf OF my countrymen. le
) me express our gratitude for all thaf
the citizens OF America have done e
mitigate the lot OF those who. in tn,
allied countries, have suffered from
the cruelties or the most deliberate
|, CONTINUED ON PAGE THREEj