The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-24
Meeting, President Worth
Trip Says Mr.. Balfour-
Busy Day Spent.
FIRM BASIS LAID
q FOR CONFERENCE
French Commission Awaited
Notable Dinner Given
at White House.


aims war commissioners spent today
in the American capital. 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 in
the morning, was the guest Of honor
tonight at the most notable dinner
given in the White House in a genera
ton. During the day he was presented
to Vice President Marshall at the
Jusserand at the French embassy and
received cards or calls from many
prominent persons, including former
Secretary Bryan.
Meanwhile Lieutenant General
Bridges and other British army officers
called on Secretary Baker Major Cen
eral Scott chief of staff, and war de-
partment officials; Admiral De Chair
and his naval aides called on Secretary
Daniels, Admiral Benson and other
navy department officials and Lord
Cunlffe, governor Of the Bank of Eng
land, called on Secretary McAdoo.
Taken by Surprise.
The conferences so far, with the en-
thusiasm that the people of the capital
have shown and the courtesies and the
cordialities extended by the officials
have taken the British commission
completely by surprise. Mr.. Balfoul
after three quarters of an hour con-
versation with President Wilson
remarked enthusiastically that his tril
had been. justified by that meeting
alone.
All during the day members of the
commission exclaimed over the warmth
of the welcome. AS if to make it more
perfect, Washington just at this time
is blossoming into the full richness OF
it's spring dress. The preliminary con-
ferences on all hands were stated tt
have laid an excellent basis of ac.
quaintance and understanding for the
detailed conferences to follow.
President Wilson and Mr.. Balfoul
are known to have touched on the
broad phases of the situation in such {
way as to give each an insight int
the others personality and viev
point, and to have established an at
mosphere of confidence and concor'
between them.
Await French Officials.
The official prediction was made tha
no formal conferences would be begul
until the arrival of the French com
missioners expected in the next tev
days The British visitors held an or
ganization meeting at the embassy to
day and Mr.. Balfour plans to spend to
morrow morning mapping out the di
vision of work and arranging for tn
proper British and American official
to meet for the tasks before them. An
other score Of subordinate British OF
ficials are expected shortly.
The British commission announce
that its purpose in coming to this coun
try was one of cooperation, servic
and gratitude and that from now o
the direction of the conference woul
rest largely with the America
government. At the same time Amer
can officials convinced the British b
the warmth and cordiality of their rt
ception that this country appreciate
England's courtesy in sending sue
distinguished spokesmen and is full
dedicated to every possible effor
AGAINST the common foe
1aifour to Speak.
MI. Balfour, it was also stated, W
make several public statements as
the English point of view, and W
attempt to remove any misconceptiol
he may find existing. Vice Preside
Marshall invited him to address t
senate, but is is improbable he will a.
pear before congress unless perha
with French Minister of Justice Nivial
Arrangements are being made
him to see members of the press
Wednesday, General Bridges will be i
terviewed tomorrow and Lord Cunlii
on Thursday.
Tonight's dinner at the White Hou
was the climax of an eventful d;
Mr.. BalfOur, British Ambassad
Spring Rice and all the ranking mel
bers of the British commission were
vited to meet President and Mrs. w
son. members of the cabinet, Oh
Justice White, the advisory commit
Of the Council of National Defen
Secretary Tumulty and Miss He
Woodrow Bones, cousin of the pre-
dent. At the same time other memb
of the commission We're being ent
tanned at dinner at the the Sixtee1