The Washington times., 1917-04-23
STORY OF BALFOUR'S
TRIP TO CAPITAL
British Foreign Secretary Left
England April II on Fast
Cruiser.

the Rt. Hon. Arthur j. Balfour, Brit
ish foreign secretary, and his party,
beginning with their arrival in Can
ada and ending with their being en-
sconced in the home OF Assistant
Secretary of State Breckenridge Long
E in Sixteenth street.
Leaving England on a swift cruiser
April IL, the members of the British
mission arrived at Halifax last Fri
day after an uneventful voyage.
A special train was waiting for
them in Halifax and they proceeded
Immediately to the little Canadian
town of McAdam, at the northern end
Of the international bridge which
Werner Horn, a German officer, once
attempted to dynamite.
With a five-car special train the
American reception committee, com
posed of Assistant Secretary Long,
Rear Admiral Fletcher. and Maj. Gen.
Leonard Wood. was waiting at the
American end of the bridge.
Boarded Train.
at Vanceboro, Me-. the fSreign sec
retary and his party boarded the
American train.
While the t,ain sped on - Portland.
the members OF the American c1nl'
mittee greeted the members of the
mission and arranged for their com
fort.
Owing to the fact that the train
was not running on definite schedule
many stops were necessary as ii traV-
eled to Worcester and through other
places in New England. News OF the
presence OF the British foreign secre-
tary and his party spread like wild
nre all along the line, with the result
that at scores of places fiag-waving
and cheering crowds gathered at rail-
road stations.
At each stop Mr.. Balfour went to
the rear of the observation car. re-
moved his hat and bowed.
He made no speeches to the crowds,
but to his associates and members ot
the American committee he quietly
said: at is all very impressive and
very deeply moving and touching.
Talks About War.
During the journey Mr.. Balfour con-
versed with Assistant Secretary Long
on American participation in the war,
and expressed the belief that Amer
ica's cooperation would astonish the
world, particularly Germany.
Immediately after official announce
ment was made by the State Depart
ment that the foreign secretary and
other members of the mission would
reach Union Station at 3 o'clock yes
terday afternoon, men and women
representing all walks of life hocked
to the railroad terminal to get a
glimpse of the distinguished men and
pay their respects.
Train Comes In.
Promptly at o'clock there came
shriIl shrek from an engine
whistle, accompanied by the tolling
of a bell. A hush enveloped the
crowd, now lined seven or eight deer
in the station, filling the windows
standing on seats, and in every Other
vantage point imaginable.
Escorted by Secretary Of State
Lansing, Counselor Pork, and men,
bers Of the American committee
which accompanied them from the
Canadian border. the visitors slowly
emerged from the trainshed.
As the crowd got its first glimpse
of the white-haired dean OF British
statesmen, a mighty cheer rent the
air. Mr.. Balfour bowed and smiled
Eravely.
Slowly Mr.. Balfour, accompanied
by gold-braided army officers, walked
before the crowd. His face was calm
;inmoved by the cheers.
Passing through the. President.
room, the British statesman and his
party entered waiting automobiles or
the east plaza.
The chauffeur speeded up his cal
and the cavalry escort dashed along
Notwithstanding the speed at which
the trip from the station to the Six
teenth street house was made, many
pedestrians along the streets recog'
nized Mr.. Balfour and Secretary Lans'
ing and cheered.
1t may have been the surroundings
or 1t might have been the spirit o
"our allies" At any rate, womer
dabbed their eyes and men cheereC
themselves hoarse as automobile aftel
automobile swirled into the entrance
10 the Breckinridge Lopg mansion.
Many Precautions.
There were precautions taken t
guard the house that seemed to tn
uninitIated too elaborate. But tn
soldiers and police on duty ther,
proved none too many fifteen minute
before the arrival OF the little pro
cession which escorted Mr.. Balfou
from Union Station.
BY 2:3O o'clock a crowd which increas
ed each minute. lined the sidewalks II
front OF the residence. and automobile
we're passing UP and down the street
at second intervals.
In three tents. pitched TO the soutl
Of the mansion. was camped a detach
nnent OF soldiers. with LIEUTENANT Wy
land in command. The men were fror
the First Regiment OF Engineers. sta
toned at Fort Washington. They Wi
maintain their guard during Mr.. Bal
four's stay.
Captain Williams. from the FoYrt
precinct. himself a native Of Englanl
assisted by Lieutenant Wall. was i
charge OF a squad of policemen. a
40 o'clock the policemen who were sta
tion at short intervals surrounding IN
building were re-enforced by the soldieri
with loaded guns.
THE WEATHER REPORT.
Forecast for the District of Colum