Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-05-18

government To any particular course.
The visiting soldiers, however, stand
ready on the instant to respond with
a heartfelt and yearning Yes" II
the American military authorities shall
ask # they want the republics colors
quickly to fly at the front.
Day by day the visitors have repeat
ed that they are here not to urge any
thing but to help in advice and coun-
sci when American initiative shows
that advice and counsel are desired
on any point. Therefore it is part
OF the British intention not to ask
the American military authorities to
send troops abroad as quickly as they
can be rendezvoused and equipped.
Your correspondent knows, however,
that above all things the British de-
sire is not alone for sentimental rea-
sons, but for real support reasons.
that the American soldier soon shall
be seen side by side with the British
Tommys and French Poilus in the
trenches of France
Difference of Opinion Here.
Many American army officers, and
among them some in high authority,
are In accord with the known British
soldiers wishes in this matter OF
sending troops to Europe. Others are
not agreed. There is one obstacle in
the way Of the dispatch Of an expedi-
t1onary force. It is not the lack OF
men, or Of supplies, or Of transports,
put II is the reluctance of some civil
ian officials to approve the course. On
this matter of the quick dispatch of
small expeditionary force to the Euro
pean continent some of the civilian
authorities today are in the mood Of
yesterday.
The belief seems to be, however.
that opposition will be overcome and
that q force will be sent within a.
short time to bear the flag to the
front and to give to the troops Of
Europe the evidence of coming re-en-
forced support for the fighting Brit
ish and French.
General Bridges of the British army,
member Of the visiting commission,
has said In an address in New York
city that it is the wish that American
troops shall appear as quickly as pos
sible with the armies of the allies in
France. Other British military Off
Gals share General Bridges views.
British Reserve Lacking.
Shipping and food problems are en-
gaging the close attention of the Brit
ish commissioners.
Instantly following the arrival of
the French delegation the commission
ers of both countries acting Jointly
resolved themselves into subcommit-
tees, each to take up problem to solve
on it's own account.
Even Washington officialdom is SUR
prised at the demeanor Of the visitors
from Great Britain. Reserve, if not
coldness, was expected by men who
have had dealings with the British
foreign office. Civilians in Washington
held the usual American view con-
corning Englishmen generally. The
commissioners, from Mr.. Balfour down
to the last subsecretary, have aston
ished Washington by their open
mindedness, their open speech and
their open-heartedness.
Perhaps the most astonished men in
the capital constitute the corps of cor
respondents of the daily press. The
Englishmen brought along with them
what Americans know as press agent,
although he is what some persons IN
clined to be a bit more dignifedly
deferential might call an information
man.
Plenty Of information.
Our own publicity gentlemen con-
nected with the American state depart
ment and some of the other depart
ments of government have suffered
somewhat with lOckjaW from the day
of their appointment. The cold and
grim silence which one ordinarily con-
siders to be the prevailing condition IN
the vicinity of officials of the British
foreign service has become speech and
plenty of it. The British officials Wis
iting here, unlike some officials VINO
live here, are willing that Americans
should know what they are about.
Some persons say that war has
made sympathetic all the people Of
Great Britain. Certain it is that q
great change has come over the spirit
of Britain's officialdom since the early
days of the war. Its representatives
apparently have found that strength
which comes from letting the world
know the truth. England has felt
from the beginning that in way Its
people had the same appeal to make to
the world that the people OF France
had, but through the early months Of
the war they showed that they did not
know how to make the appeal.
In a good many years of newspaper.
work it never came to your correspond
ent to hear so full and frank a discus
sion of mission which is supposed to
be hedged in with an awesome Sc
crecy, as that which was engaged in. by
Godfrey B. Butler of the British for
!; ~, soff7on With WaShinofon npWSnannr