The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-11-08

Washington, D. c., Nov. 7.-An
American mission landed in England
today on the eve of the opening of
the first great war conference in
which the United States will partici.
pate. ... r
Col. Edward NJ House, President
Wilson's personal friend and adviser,
is the oAcially designated represen.
tative Of the United States He is &C.
companied by a staff representing ev-
cry war agency In the United States,
including Admiral Benson, chief OF
naval operations, and Gen. Bliss, chief
CT staff of the army. ,.,,, ~ sg&
Announcement by Secretary Lans.
ing tonight of the arrival of the party
"at a British port" released American
newspapers from pledge of silence
as 10 the personnel of the mission and
its movements. The departure Of this
group of the most distinguished men
in the governments war councils was
a carefully guarded secret until they
were safely through the submarine
zone.
Even many army and navy o1sciais
were not aware that their chiefs had
sailed. F
The date and place Of the confer
ence has not been made public, though
the understanding here is that the ses'
sions are about to begin.. '1l. '
In a statement accompanying his
Secretary Lansing en-
phasized the fact that this gathering
is to be a war conference and nothing
else, charged with mapping out a plan
of campaign against Germany to
"bring the conflict to a speedy and
satisfactory end.
There have been many indications
that the conference was called at the
request of the United States.
In selecting its representatives the
United States has provided IN advance
against becoming involved in any dis.
cussion OF peace terms or polltlca'
questions. There is no diplomatic
with the mission. The
business at this time of every 1nenl-
her of Col. Houses staff is war max
ing, and there can be no discussion
of any matters not having to 40 d.
rectly with the prosecution OF the war
Members of the mission are Admir-
al VIM. S. Benson, chief of naval oper.
ations: Gen. Tasked H. Bliss, chief ol
the army staff; Arthur 7. Crosby, as
sistant secretary of the treasury
Vance, Mccormack, chairman OF the
war trade board; cambridge Colby o.
the shipping board; DR.. Aionzo N
Tavlor of the food administration, ana
Gordon Auchincloss, secretary. -
In making the announcement sec
retary Lansing said the conference
would be essentially war conference
with the object of perfecting a more
complete coordination of the activi
ties of the allied nations in order TO
attain the highest efficiency. rms Il
the American governments first den.
n;te announcement of the purpose OF
the meeting.
Even the fact that the Americans
were to participate in the conference
had been named had been care1uli'
guarded secret until they were
through the submarine zone and sa1e
on British soil. The part that !ne
United States is to play IN 1rahiiiN
the great allied program Is empha
sized by the fact that the mission
headed by. President wilson's per
sonal friend and adviser, incluaes the
highest officers of the army and navy
Lansing Makes Statement.
secretary Lansing made this state
ment: ,,.,.,d
"The government of the United
states will participate in the approach
ing conference of the powers wag1ng
war against the German empire anu
has sent as it's representative, Mr.. Ea
ward NJ. House, who is accompanied
Inv admiral w, S. Benson, chief OF
naval operations: Gen. Tasked n
Rliss, chief of staff, U. S. A.; oscar i
Crosbv assistant secretary OF the
treasury: Vance c. Mccormack, cnair
ma nof the war trade board: BAN
bridge Colby, United States shipping
hoard. DR.. Alonzo E. Taylor, repre-
senting the food controller; Thomas
Nelson Perkins, representing the prl
oritv board, and Gordon Auchincloss
as secretary.
"The conference is essentially wal
conference with the object OF per
fecting a more complete coordination
of the activities of the various ma
tions engaged in the conflict and the
more comprehensive understanding o.
their respective needs, in order thai
- r0>1tsrnAa nn naro fourl