Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-01
BAlFOUR.JOFFRE
PARTY MAY VISIT
OMAHA. Wire SAYS
Telegram from Victor Rose
water in Washington Ad-
vises Mayor Commission
ers May Come Here.
INVITATION SENT BY WIRE
City Prepares to Entertain Dis.
tinguished Diplomats Now
Visiting United States,
LEADERS ON COMMITTEES
INVITATION SENT BY WIRE
LEADERS ON COMMITTEES

The British and French commits
sions to the United States, headed by
Hon. Arthur J. Balfour, British min
lister OF foreign affairs; Rene Viviani,
French minister Of justice and presi-
dent Of the council of ministers, and
Marshal Joseph Jacques Cesaire
Jofre. former commander-in-chief of
the French armies, may visit Omaha.
Mayor James c. Dahlman yester-
day received a telegram from Victor
Rosewater, editor of The Bee, stating
that the party would start west i'm
mediately. He requested the mayor
to telegraph Secretary of State Lans-
ing, inviting the distinguished visitors
to become Omaha's guests.
Mayor Dahlman Immediately wired
tie invitation and then began to
make arrangements for the entertain
ment Of the big party OF war experts.
Distinguished Men Coming.
The foreign commissioners are in
this country for the purpose OF as.
sisting in the mobilization of all
American resources for war.
Marshal Joffre, hero Of the Marne,
will look after the details of army
mobilization. Besides Joffre, Viviani
and 'Balfour, the party consists of
Vice. Admiral P. L. A. Cocheprat.
dean OF French admirals and an ex-
pert on submarine problems; Marquis
Pierre de Chambrun, member of the
Chamber OF Deputies and a student of
international affairs; NJ. Simon. in
spector OF finance; M. Hovelacque. in
spector of general instruction, and
Surgeon Major Dreyfus.
The British Commission.
Members of the Balfour party. each
all expert in some special line, either
military, naval, shipping, food or other
affairs, are:
Alan Anderson, Lieutenant General
T. Bridges, c. NJ. G., D. S. o.; Godfrey
G. Butler, Major H. Spender Clay, M.
P; Right Hon. Lord Cunliffe. Lieu
tenant Colonel Dansey, Rear Admiral
Sir Dudley De Chair, K. c. B., NJ. V.
o.; Hon. Sir Eric Drumnond, K. c.
NJ. G. {. B.: Cecil Dormer, transpor-
tation; Fleet Paymaster V. A. Law
ford, D. S. C., R. N; w. T. Layton,
Stephan McKenna. |. Malcolm, M. P;
A.-A. Patton, Lord Eustace Percy, M.
Peterson, O. ]. Phillips, Major Rees,
V. C., NJ. C.; F. P. Robinson.
The telegram from Mr.. Rosewater.
dated at Washington. said:
THE war commission will make
western trip and might visit Omaha it
you wire immediate invitation to Sec
rotary Lansing,
The mayors invitation. addressed
to Secretary Lansing, reads:
please permit me through you to
extend an invitation to the distin-
guished war commission to visit
Omaha on their western trip.
1--WE are the center of a great pro-
ducng country and we will assure
them royal welcome ..
To Appoint Committees.
Mayor Dahlman Immediately after
forwarding the telegram got into
communication with executives of the
Commercial club, the Women's club
and other civic bodies, as well as
prominent city and state officials.
From these he will appoint COM
mittee TO arrange the details OF the
entertainment OF the party.
Attaches OF the United States War
department here began the immediate
compilation of such military informa-
ton as might be OF use TO the pros
pective visitors.