Middletown transcript., 1917-04-28
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su1uB OOuuSuuusOOu0tS e.
At THE CAPITAL
Basis For Conferences Laid
BY Series of Formal Calls.
DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Various Members OF the Commission
Became Acquainted With the v. S.
Officials With Whom They
Will Cooperate.

Washington. - Great Britain's war
commissioners are receiving every
mark of honor and courtesy within the
gift of the government.
Foreign Secretary Arthur James
Balfour, formally presented by Secre-
tary Lansing to President Wilson
Monday morning, was the guest OF
honor at night at the most notable din
ner given at the White House in a
generation. During the day he was
presented to Vice-President Marshall
at the Capitol, lunched with Ambas-
sador Jusserand at the French Em-
bassy and received cards or calls from
many prominent persons, including
former Secretary Bryan.
Meanwhile Lieutenant General
Bridges and other British Army Off
GERS called on Secretary Baker, Major
General Scott, chief of staff, and War
Department officials; Admiral De
Chair and his naval aids called on Sec
retary Daniels, Admiral Benson and
other Navy Department officials, and
Lord Cunliffe, governor of the Bank OF
England, called on Secretary McAdoo
at the Treasury Department.
British Visitors Impressed.
The conferences so far, with the
hot fhn
capital have shown and the courtesles
and cordialities extended by the OIL
cials, have taken the British Commis-
sion completely by surprise. Mr.. Bal
four, after three-Quarters Of an hours
conversation with President Wilson,
remarked enthusiastically that his trip
had been justified by that meeting
alone.
All during the day members of the
commission exclaimed over the
warmth of the welcome, especially on
their arrival Sunday. AS if to make
1t more perfect, Washington just at
this time is blossoming into the full
richness Of its spring dress.
While no formal negotiations were
entered into, the preliminary confer
ences on all hands were stated not to
have been wholly perfunctory, but
rather to have laid an excellent basis
of acquaintance and understanding for
the detailed conferences to follow.
President Wilson and Mr.. Balfour are
known to have touched on the broad
phases of the situation in such way
as to give each an insight into the
others personality and viewpoint, and
to have established an atmosphere or
confidence and concord between them.
The official prediction was made
that no formal conferences would be
begun until the arrival Of the French
commissioners. expected now in the
next few days.
Cutting Out the Work.
The British Commission announced
that it's purpose in coming to tms
country was purely one of co-opera-
ton, service and gratitude and that
from now on the direction Of the con-
ferences would rest largely with the
American government. At the same
time American officials convinced the
British by the warmth and cordiallty
of their reception that this country ap-
preciates England's courtesy in send
Ing such distinguished spokesman and
is fully dedicated to every possible ef-
fort against the common foe.
BaIfour and Wilson.
Mr. Balfour was ushered into the
White House by Secretary Lansing
and introduced to President Wilson
in the presence Of the military and
naval aids for what was expected to
be but a few minutes conversation.
The statemen withdrew into the Blue
Room, however, and were engrossed
for over three-Quarters of an hour. Mr.
Balfour afterward expressed himself
as more than delighted with his call
and as feeling that his trip was 1usu-
fed if nothing else were to take place.
A large crowd surrounded the White
House lawns, respondent in all the
green luxuriance of spring, to wait for
the visitors.
A quick trip by automobile took him
to the Capitol, where another en-
thusiastic group greeted him on his
wav to vice-President Marshall's Of
fee. There he spent about 10 min
utes.