The Washington herald., 1917-04-17
CABINET READY
To PARLEY WITH
ENTENTE ENJOYS
President Will Confer with
British and Possibly French
Commissioners Tomorrow.
ARRANGEMENTS FINISHED
Difference of Opinion as to Whether
Negotiations Will Be Secret.
u. S. Favors Publicity.

President Wilson and his Cabinet are
ready to close formally the negotiations
with the entente allies as to the part the
United States is to play in the general
war on russian militarism.
With -rangements having been COM
pleted the President personally to
receive .ae British and the French mem
tsrs of the joint high war commission
tomorrow. the War and Navy depart
ments awaited further orders.
Whether the French commissioners,
headed BY former Premier vlviani, will
arrive in time for the Presidents confer
enee with former Premier Balfour, of
England. and his staff is as yet unknown.
The failure OF their arrival by that day.
however. win not retard the work Of the
conference.
Financial Assistance.
The conclusion Of the conferences will
be followed Immediately by the entente
allies receiving their first financial as
sistanee from this government in the war
against Germany. The final details will
be settled for the transfer to the allies
OF the s. 900 100 to be authorized for
their use in the pending 5000 10000 bond
Issue BILL
Administration officials last night con-
idently expected the measure to be
passed by the Senate and signed by the
President by tomorrow. and officials
stated that the money would be I'M
mediately available.
While much doubt exists as To just how
much Of the total any government will
be lent the prcba bility is that France
and Russia will receive practically all.
Blow Mt Submarines.
Officials last night agreed that one OF
the most important subjects for discus
sion at the conferences of the commits
$40 srs will be plans for an effective blow
at German submarine constrL 'on.
Measures win be considered by which II
is hoLed Germany will be greatly inn
pcCsd - the construction OF submarines
oad which may also result in the ae-
str iCt.on Of a large numher Just being
bToJShs iato service.
Tete ~ Of tho IIans under consideration
have rot been revs aled because of Sthe
i.scyssItv TO- secrecy in all naval moves
Il Is kroWn, however, that some plans
a.e bel " Considered that are designed
to ,reyeI.t any great increase in the
prsscrt German. feet Of submarines.
Int n and American officials yester-
S-v ytTT,cS thCiF FIRST saag of dissention.
State Department attaches let IL be
known that full publicity would be given
70 the y. oceedings In the forthcoming
Conferences. excepting those things
which GeaI directly with military move
nrents, Notwithstanding an unofficial
"sugsestioE'' by British government ON
cials that the discussions be entirely
secret
BY giving the public information as TO
what measures are under discussion, II
IS believed that greater enthusias / will
be aroused and that q better cO-0pera-
ton generally viii result.
A reception committee has been ap-
pointed to meet the commissioners and
escort them to the White House. The
committee consists OF Breckenridge Long.
Third Assistant Secretary of State: War
ren Robbins. OF the State Department;
Mai Gen. Leonard Wood. commander OF
the Department of the East; Col. f. E.
L. Niche, Rear Admiral Fletcher, and
Commander f. +. Sellers.