Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-27
Capital Previously Has Shown
Little Evidence That Any
thing in Nations History Is
Taking Place

WASHINGTON. April 25.-Arthur J.
Balfour doesn't look like his pictures
that you've seen in newspapers and
magazines. His face is more pleasing
than his pictures. He isn't half so sad
and serious in life as he looks TO be
on paper-that is. he doesn't look to De
half so sad and serious. Not having
talked with him or heard him talk. IL
is beyond me 10 say whether he Is
sad and serious man In conversation.
In the flesh he wears a smile that IL
Eliminates his countenance, betrays
perfect set of white teeth. and probably
reflects a sunny disposition These
pleasing characteristics are not TO De
observed In his photographs Maybe
he IL among the millions who DO not
take good photographs. Most OF the
pictures Of Balfour that we have seen
in this country show him sitting, with
his face resting on q hand. looking as
solemn and serious as a professionals
mourner II 10 to be hoped that some
time during his stay in America the
photographers will catch him on the
wing. looking just as he looked sun
day upon his arrival in Washington as
he beamed a beatific smile upon the
thousands who packed the plaza 10 oio
him welcome.
The arrival of the Balfour party
marked the first outbreak of war en-
thusiasm in Washington. The appar-
emit indifference Of Washington TO the
war has been pronounced. There mas
been little or no excitement ana not
much public discussion of the SITUATION
outside the halls of congress. Marion
smith was here the other day. He re-
~ #nNn al uhEnnHA
fever in the nations capitol wnere'
from reading the newspapers, you
would suppose everything was IN
turmoil OF excitement
There is lots more excitement IN AT
lanta than in Washington SAID Mr.
smith. a fellow might tarry in this
town a week and never know the couh-
try was at war"
And ne was right, too. There are
more flags flying. to be sure. PROBABLY
half the automobiles In town are dec
Grated with an American nag ana oc-
easionally you see a motor fIylng the
flags of England and France also. Some
or the business houses are decorated
with flags, and in the residential sec
ton more flags than common may De
observed flying to the breezes.
The newspapers of course print lois
of copv about the war. and the prepara-
lions in progress at the war and navy
DEPARTMENTS The White House GROUNDS
are closed, and guarded as never since
the Civil war. but the guards are not
much in evidence. The president comes
and goes. we'll protected by secret serv-
ice agents. The executive offices are
watched more eagerly than ever by the
newspaper corps, but there is really less
news than before the nation went TO
war.
The war and navy departments, in
fact. the state, war and navy building
is the scene Of great activity, but IT Is
not the sort of activity that one would
expect to find under the circumstances.
There are no more soldiers tnan usual.
The total absence of brass buttons ana
gold braid cannot escape attention. The
building is like a tremendous business
establishment, working with precision
and regularity, but with no spectacular
display.
xOf course the tunnels, bridges, via
ducts, buildings. etc. are being proper
" guarded, just as they are everywhere
else in the country, but the uniformed
soldier and officer are conspicuous by
their absence from the streets of the
city.
The arrival OF the Balfour party was.
as 1 stated, the first incident to pro-
woke unusual interest or challenge en-
thusiasm in Washington. Balfour was
given a warm reception. The presence
of the escort of cavalry, the flash of
sabres. the show of brass buttons and
gold braid. seemed to arouse the people,
and they gave vent to enthusiasm.
There is OF course lots OF speculation,
but most OF ii revolves around the grim
struggle between the president and con-
gress over the army bill. The people,
generally speaking, favor the presidents