The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-04-23
HE FIRST VISITED
STATE DEPARTMENT
British Foreign Secretary
Was Given a Heartfelt
Welcome Yesterday When
He Arrived i'm the Nation
al Capitalize Details of
His Trip Are Made Public

Washington, p. c., April 23.- British
Foreign Minister Balfour and the mem
bers of the high commission here to dis
cuss the conduct Of the war began their
first official day in Washington with a
round of calls, the first of which was at
the state department. Accompanied by
Ambassador Spring Rice, Balfour drove
to the state department and called upon
Secretary of State Lansing. A few min
utes later, Secretary Lansing escorted
him across the street to the White House
where he was received by President Will
son. Meanwhile the army and navy Off
GERS of the British mission were received
at the war and navy departments, re-
speetiyely.
Washington extended yesterday q
simple but heartfelt welcome to Balfour
and his colleagues. The weather was
perfect and Washington in the blight
spring sunshine, clad in the light green
foliage of the season, never looked more
beautiful than when the special train
which had brought the distinguished Wis
itors with their official escorts from the
north, drew into the union station. Ev-
erywhere bunting few in the breeze,
mainly the American national colors.
The British union Jack and the French
tricolor were in evidence in many places,
but the local flag makers had been unable
to meet the public demand for them
As the special train stopped at the
80 tNp1 of Ln >Hs &c
the British party stepped to the, floor Of
the trainshed, preceding Mr.. Balfour.
The minister for foreign affairs descend
ed hat in hand and was Immediately
presented by the British ambassador to
Secretary Lansing. The two secretaries
exchanged hearty handclasp and chat
ted for few moments, while the re-
mainder of the party emerged from the
train and ranged themselves along the
side to permit of photograph being
taken by an official photographer. When
this was done, the visitors moved along
the trainshed to the station, preceded by
Thomas Spring-Ric and Mr.. Gibson, Mr..
Balfour on the right of Secretary Lam
sing The foreign minister walked un-
,overed, smiling his greetings to the
and cheering. The remain
Ter of the party followed without any
attempt at order of precedence and
passed into the presidents room, at the
'ntrance of which number of automo-
lilies had been brought up in line for
heir reception.
When the signal was given for the
tart, the cavalry guard closed round
nd enveloped the party. This was the
anne guard which President Wilson had
hosen as his personal escort on the occs-
ion of the last Inauguration.
As the party started on its way up
avenue, the crowds burst
nto cheers, to which Mr.. Balfour and the
thers responded by bowing right and
eft The route lay up Massachusetts,
venue to 18th street, to the palatial
iacNesgh homestead and within few
undred yards of the French embassy
ulding. Passing the latter, the visitors
'ere greeted by Ambassador Jusserand,
rho, with Madame Jusserand and the
ull staff of the ambassy, saluted tfem
rom the portico over the entrance. The
alute was returned by the entire party.
A detachment of regular soldiers will
amsin on guard constantly around the
residence during the stay of
lr. Bslfour and party. Tents for their
Sc have been pitched near the house.
With the Balfour party safely in
Washington, the state department has
ermitted publication of the details of
lie trip by way of Halifax. Vsnceboro,
Ie, Portland and Worcester, which was
lrrounded with secrecy and precautions
ever before equslled in this country.
The British commissioners stole secret
away from England April II on fast
uiser protected in every possible way
ON German spies who might have got
II word to lurking submarines. The
wage was entirely uneventful. however,
III the party arrived at Halifax Friday.
tossing TO st. John, special train
ok them TO the little Canadian town of
cAdam, just across the international
idge. which Werner Horn, a former Ger
an officer. tried to blow up. The dis
lguished party was met at Vsnceboro
turday morning by the American re-
-.