New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-25
War Steps Of Forty Days
Remarkable, He Says
in Farewell
Predicts Triumph
With Americas Aid
Praises Press, Animated
by Highest Patriotic
Principles"

,ddress 10 tho American people to-day
,,.bur James Bsliour, British Foreign
Secretary. warmly expressed thanks for
INC kindness and sympathy with which
N, British War Mission has been re-
,eived in this country, declared what
.se United States has accomplished
during the forty days since it entered
The war most remarkable, and said he
would carry back 10 the Allies across
n. water his belief that with as little
delay as human imperfcctions allow,
the full and decisive weight of America
would be thrown into the struggle for
democracy.
The message was delivered through
the Washington correspondents, gath
cred AT the National Press Club TO hear
the last speech Of the British states
mans visit.
Moved BY Warmth of Reception
"Gentlcmcn," said Mr.. Balfour, IL
came 10 the United States conscious,
OF course. Of the Importance Of the
mission with which ! have been en-
trusted by the government; conscious
that the mission from the very nature
ef the case was ono of the most i'm
portsnt in which either OF our two
countries has ever concerned itself;
conscious that the very condition of
the world in which we lived gave weight
and Importance TO every action. to
even word, and 20 every report OF
every word which might take place
during its existence.
"The kindness with which We were
received, the warmth Of the welcome
which reached US from all parts OF the
country, soon made it plain the strictly
and narrowly business side Of our
mission was not the only one which
vas important at the present juneture
Americas Great Destiny
For my own part ! have felt more
deeply than ! find II easy TO express
the kindness of the reception when
YOU have given to the mission IN gen
eral and TO myself in particular. lha'
kindness has been shown me, lavishly
shown me. in Washington. 1t was
shown not less fully and not less law
ishly in New York and in Richmond
and ] only mourn that the inevitable
exigencies of public business make II
impossible for me 10 visit other parts
of the United States, 10 communicate
directly and personally with men IN
the Middle West. in the Far West.
and IN other portions of this colossal
territory. which Is already occupied Dy
the most powerful community in the
world. and which Is. ] think. destined
in the future TO have an abiding infiu-
sRee for all that makes for peaceful
civilization and freedom. and has GER
,ainly shown on the present occasion
that a great community can be moved
% perform great sacrifices for an ideal
which has in IL nothing of selishness,
nothing Of the petty appetite for power,
nothing but a pure and unstained de-
and OF mankind.
Compliments the Press
Gentlemen, you have shown, during
the months experience which ! nave
had of your labors, that the American
press is animated by the highest pa
iriotic principles; that il is incapable,
or has shown itself. so far as ] am
concerned. as incapable. of misrepre-
senting ox .perverting IN the smallest
particular anything which ! may have
said or done. ] know that II rs 10 you
and your friends that any word | have
spoken. be IL worth listening 10 or not
worth listening 20. at all events, reach
es unperverted those for whom II IS
intended. For that ] wish to express
70 YOU my most grateful thanks.
Il came with high hopes TO Washing
Ton. Those hopes have been FAR sur
passed BY the reality. / expected. from
What knew OF American friends on the
other side Of the Atlantic. that should
be received with kindness. with cour-
iesy and with sympathy; but the kind
ness. the courtesy and the sympathy
which ! have received are far in excess
of anything which ! dared hope for or
anything which can pretend even to
myself 20 have deserved.
Friends in Very Truth"
1t is a sad thought 10 me that the
moment Of parting has come. and that
Rose whom / looked upon as my
friends, before | knew them. and who
have become my friends in very truth
aad indeed since | know them. ! shall
ee separated from. al all events, during
ne continuance Of the present war.
After that. may il be my happy lot 10
'e'urn IN less responsible and onlclsl
Position 20 renew the connection for a
moment severed by the tragic events IN
which We are all equally Concerned.
But. gentlemen. the mission could
not stay here forever. II has received
= welcome-a welcome which none OF
~ members will forget-and 10 me
aus the pleasant duty, on my own De.
half and on behalf Of my friends, OF
esying TO you. and TO all whom you can
'eaeh. how deeply We thank the Ameri-
Gan public for what they have done.
:, There are those who have said that
ne Preparations made by the United
s'a.ss are proceeding slowly and halt
neiy, and that . country which has
oeen In the war for some forty days
oeSht to have done far more than has
sessasly been accomplished. For my
wa part. think those who speak in
.seents Ike that know verv little Of
ne actual way In which public life 10
ne must be carried on IN free coun.
"a! the beginning Of the forty days
which I speak no preparations had
ss:n made; the country vss anxiousiy,
ssee. watching the events. II had not