Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-23
CAPITAL EXTENDS
GRACIOUS WELCOME
TO BALF OUR PARTY
Crowds on Streets Burst
Into Cheers and
Applause.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
ARE HEAVILY GUARDED
Detail of Regular Soldiers AS
signed to Safeguard Allied
Commissioners.
STORY OF TRIP is GIVEN OUT
State Department Permits Publica.
ton OF Precautions to Insure
Their Safety.
STORY OF TRIP is GIVEN OUT
State Department Permits Publica.
ton OF Precautions to Insure
Their Safety.
IRy Associated Prezx

W Io.N. .NpTll .s.--t he AMER.
ican capital to-day extended u simple.
but heartfelt. welcome to the British
Minister fer Foreign Affairs. Arthur
J. Balfour. and the other members,
of the British commission which has
come to Washington. as Mr.. Ealfour
himself expressed it. TO make CO.
operation easy and effective between
those who striving with ali their
power TO bring about a lasting peace
by the only means that can secure
it--namcly a successful war" a
There was no music to greet tho
visitors. the original plan. including
the presence OF the Marine Band. hay-
ing been amended to conform 10 tho
view expressed by President Wilson
and Secretary Lansing that this was
a grave and serious event I'm Amer
lean history. and not TO be lightly
treated. or regarded as a social and
festive affair.
On the Union Station plaza we're
gathered 5000 people waiting patiently
Tor glimpse OF the nations guests.
restrained at proper distance by hum
drcds of blue coated policemen and by
Two troops OF the Second Cavalry. COM
manded by Colonel Fenton. part of this
garrison at nearby Fort Myer
Within tho station. lines had been
drawn separating the travelling public
from the space at tie eastern end OF
the roncouTse across which the visit.
iHS party was to pass on tho way from
inc train shed to the Presidents room,
All or the police captains of the IT,.
trict had been ranged here in doutla
iihc AS a guard OF honor, aud to keep
pack intruderS. TwoScore newspap Der
men. standing to the cast OF the con.
course. were the only unofficial pcr.
sons permitted in this section of tho
station Detectives swarmcd every.
where through the crowds. and at va
rious angles where any danger Nigh.
TURK. Altogether the precautions taken
to insure the safety OF the nation,
visitors exceeded anything ever known
In the history of the District.
ONLY FEW PERSONS
ALLOWED IN SHE'D
Exactly on time. at o'clock. tn.
train bearing the British commissioners
ana their attaches drew into the sta
ton. Aside from the guards. onlv .,
very few persons had been permitted
TO enter the train shed These inc,,,d-
ca secretary Lansing. Frank l.. POLK.
counsel for the State Department; vii.
liam Phillips. Assistant Secret,rv ~
state Hugh Gibson, secretary OF the
american legation at Brussels, who
distinguished himself by his extra
ordinary efforts 10 save the life NJ
Edith Cavell. and several other St,.a
Department officials
Representing the British government,
were Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the British
ambassador; Colville Barclay. counselor
FOR the embassy. Thomas Spring Rice
Mr. lIohlcr. Lieutenant Colonel Muir
rough o'Eri"n. Commodore C;uy Cam,
secretaries and attaches OF the en-
bassy
rs tie special train stopped. two of
the military officers OF the British,
party stepped 10 the floor of the shed.
preceding Mr.. Balfour. The Minister
lor f"reiGn Affairs descended, hat in
hahd and was Immediately presented
by the British ambassador to Secretary
''"hShs' Ihe Two secretaries cx-
changed hearty handclasp and
chatted for few moments, while the
remainder OF the party emerged from
the train and ranged themselves alons
tho side to permit Of "A photocraph
being taken by an official photographer,
the only one which is to be permitted
according TO the present plan. When
TINS was done. the visitors moved
quickly along the train shed to the
station preceded by Thomas SPRING
Rice and Mr.. Gibson, Mr. Balfour on
the right Of Secretary Lansing. The
foreiEn Minister walked uncovered.
with head erect. smiling his greetings
to the handclapping and cheering OF
the party that had gathered within the
concoursc. The remainder of the party
followed without any attempt at order
or precedence. and passed into the
Presidents room. at the entrance OF
which number OF automobiles had
been brought UP in line for their re-
ception.
AMERICAN OFFICIALS .
WITH BRITISN GUESTS
In the first car were Mr. Balfour.
Secretary Lansing and an army officer
as an escort; in the second were the
British ambassador. Counselor Polk
and Counselor Barclay; iu the third,
Major-General Bridges, Lieutenant-
Colonel o'Brien and aIajor-Gcnorai
Tapnard wnn1 a., ~.