Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-24
.BALFOUR GREETS
|. PRESIDENT WILSON
AT WHITE HOUSE
After Short Conference, De-
clares Trip Already Is
Justified.
LATER GUEST OF HONOR
AT NOTABLE DINNER
Enthusiasm of People and Cor
dialities of Officials Take
Visitors by Surprise.
NO FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS YET
Groundwork Laid for Beginning OF
ParlcyS Immediately on Ar
rival OF French Mission.
NO FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS YET
Try Associated Press. !

Ry Associated Press
w ASllNiTON. Apri! .J..-Circat
6r.tain's war commissioners spent to-
day In the American capital receiving
every mark of honor and courtesy
within the gift OF the government
Foreign Secretary Arthur James l;a,-
four. formally presented by Secretary
Lansing to President Wilson in the
morning, was the guest OF honor to.
night at the MOST notable dinner given
At the White House in a sencratioo.
( During the day he was presented 10
Nicc-frcSioent Marshall at the Capt.
toi, iunchcd with ambassador Jus
serand at the French embassy, and re-
oeired cards or calls from many promi-
hcnt persons, including former Secre-
tary Bryan.
In the meantime. Lieutenant General
, Bridges and other British army officers
called on Secretary Baker, Major-Gen-
cial Scott. chief of staff, and War De.
| partmcnt officials. Admiral dc Chair
and his naval aids called on Score
tarI Daniels. Admiral Eensot and other
Navy Department officials. and Lord
crnlihc, governor of the Bank OF Eng:
land. called on Secretary McAdoo al
I.
The conferences so far with tho c,
thusiasm trat the people of the capi.
tai have shown. and the courtesies and
coraialities extended by the officials
have taken tho British commission
completely by surprise AIR. B,lfour,
after three quarters OF an hours con-
vcrsation with President Wilson. re.
marked enthusiastically that hi. trip
cl
alone.
ATMOSPHERE OF CONEIDENCE
AND CONCORD ESTABLISHED
While no formal negotiations wers
entered into to-day the preliminary
conferences were stated not to haya
been wholly perfunctory but rather-to
have laid an excellent basis OF ac--
Guaintance and understanding for m.
detailed conferences 10 follow. Presi-
de"t Wilson and MIR. Balfour arc known
I" have touched on the broad ph,se.
or the situation in such way as 10
give each an insight into the other.
personality and viewpoint. and 10 have
established an atmosphere Of confidence
and concord between them
The official prediction was made that
no formal conferences would he bou-,in
unlii the arrival of the French com.
miSsioners. expected now in the next
lew days Groundwork will be laid
as rapidly as possible. SO that the mo.
ment the French arrive the negoti;,-
tiohs may begin in earnest
lhe British visitors held an orranjs
"at'oh meeting at the embassy today.
an" Hr' ba'four rlans to spcnd 10.
morrow morning mapping out the di
Of l..t-
>H'o" Oh work, and arranging for the
proper British and American officials
10 meet tor the task before them. Aug
"'ner score or subordinate British Of
hciais are expected. shortly.
The British commission ,n,o,,s
'"'t us purpose in coming to this coun-
try was purely one OF co.operation
service ana gratitude. and that from
now on the direction OF the confer
enccS would rest largely with the
American governments Al the Same
time. American officials convinced tn.
'ritiSh by the warmth and cordialitv
OF their reception that this countrj.
appreciates E;uElands courtesy in
sending such distinguished spokcsmcn.
and is fully dedicated TO every possible
effort against the common foe
BALFOuR TO MAKE SEVERAL.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Mr.. Balfour. il was also stated will
make several public statements during
his stay as TO the English point OF
view. Vice President Marshall invited
him 10 address the senate. but IL is
Improbable he viii appear before Con-
grcss unless perhaps with French Min
istcr of Justice Niviani. Arrangements
are being made for him TO sec members
OF the press OF Wednesday, General
Bridges viii bc interviewed tomorrow
and Lord Cunlifc on Thursday.
To-niSht'S dinner at tho White House
was the climax OF an cvcntful day
Mr. Balfour. British imba ssad dor
spring Rice, and all tho ranking mem
bcrs OF the British commission were
Invited TO meet the President and Mrs-
Wilson, tho members OF the Cabinet
chief Justice White the advisory com
mittcc OF the Council OF National de-
fcnsr. Secretary Tumuity and MISS
Helen Woodrow Bones. cousin OF the
President. At the Same time. othcr
members OF tho commission were he.
ing entertained at dinner at the Six