The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1917-04-26
BALF0uR AND
PAR Call
0N0FFICIALS
After Brief Talk With Lansing
Foreign Minister Is Taken to
the White House and Re-
ceiyed by President.
SMILES AT SILENT PICKETs
General Bridges Calls at War
Department, and Admiral
De Chair and Aides
See Daniels.

.HH.H tMtEHH. wv tls#l 3IAas
Washington, April 24-If the
United States can keep the lanes Of
commerce open and keep foodstuffs
gong steadily to the allies, it will
thing for which the entente hopes
from the cooperation of this coun-
try in the war.
This, it vas learned today, is the
n plan OF this country to CON
and to hasten their construction
and the fact that construction has
been put in the hands of a great
organizer like General Goethals,
gives the deepest satisfaction to
Mr.. Balfour and his party.
Under the circumstances, the
production of a large food supply
IN this country becomes a matter
OF great seriousness.
Washington, April 24-British For
eign Minister Ralfour and mi of
the high commission here to discuss
onduc of, the war, began their first
official day in Washington with a round
OF calls, thef first of which was at the
state department.
oO ~ S1pSIS,. L EI1dlItuT,
accompanied by the British ambassa-
dor. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, drove from
the mansion which has been given over
TO MIN, to he state department build
ing and paid a formal call to Secretary
Lansing.
The British Ambassador and Hugh
L. Gibson, of the state department, who
mad been detailed as Mr.. Balfour's
aide. remained with Secretary LANSING
and the British foreign minister only
a short time and then withdrew, leav-
ing the two high officials together.
Raifour at White House.
Il conference between Mr.. Balfour
and Mr.. Lansing was not prolonged and
at It's conclusion the WI men left the
pualdlng to cross yer to the White
house. where the British foreign min
lister was received by President Wilson.
AS Mr; balfour left h state depart
ment building several hundred en-
pioyes, crowding the stairways and
corridors, a~pplauded and cheered loud
ly. Mr.. Balfour acknowledged the
greetings by bowling and smiling.
surrounded by a small escort, the
British foreign minister and secretary
of state. crossed the avenue and just
before il O'clock passed into the main
entrance Of the executive mansion,
where President Wilson, surrounded by
q party Of army and navy aides, was
waiting.
While Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Lansing
were at the White House the naval Of
fcers of the British party, headed by
Admiral De Chair. began arriving to
call on Secretary Daniels. They We're
accompanied by Rear Admiral Fletcher
and other officers assigned to the party.
Smiles at Stuff Pickets.
AS Mr.. Balfour passed into the
White House grounds, the Silent e
tinels' of the woman suffragists doing
peaceful picketing" around the White
House grounds waived their banners
and the British foreign minister smiled
broadly.
The army officers Of the British
mission. at the same time, We're arriv-.
ing at the wal department to be re-
ceived by Secretary Baker. Mai. Gen.
G. T.. NJ. Briggs, accompanied by his
aides was escorted first to the offices of
Major General SCOTT, chief of staff,
where they were received by a large
party of American officers. The Brit
ish officers were attired in field uni
forms of khaki, while the American Of
fcers We're in the full dress uniforms
of blue. Later the British guests were
received by Secretary Baler.
The naval delegation meanwhile, had
been received by Admiral Benson. chief
of operations n Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt.
While Mr.. Balfour and the president
were together h British army and
navy officers concluded their visits at
the wal and navy departments and re-
turned to their stopping places.
The presidents reception of Mr.. Bal
four lasted three-quarters OF an hour.
At 11:45 o'clock Mr.. Balfour left the
White House n accompanied by Sec
rotary Lansing drove to the capitol to
be- presented to Vice President Mar
shall.
After the formal greetings, thep resi-
dent n Mr.. Balfour entered the Blue
III rnnrn with SonrnkNNxy -
manned in conversation for more than
half an hour. The military aides were
not present at the conference.
AS the party was leaving the White
House a wild west show parade was
passing with q steam calliope screech-
Ing God Save h King and Mar
seillalse.' Somebody in the crowd
proposed three cheers for Mr.. Balfour
and the crowd roared a willing response
while the British minister smiled and
bowed. Later he drove to the French
embassy for luncheon.
Conference Begins "Wednesday.
1t was made known by members OF
the commission that today and tomor-
row are to be devoted.to social formal
tiles and that the stage Of conferences
is not expected to be reached before
Wednesday,.
All of the attaches Of the commission
have not yet reached Washington.
Some are expected to land in the
United States from a passenger ship to-
day or tomorrow. Meanwhile, the
French commission is expected but it
was said today there were no plans for
joint conferences at this, stage, al
though undoubtedly there would be
some later on.
h conferences are not expected to
be prolonged and it was said today that
after the general subjects have been
gun over it was believed that Mr.. Bal
four and some other members az the
commission might return to England.
leaving details to be worked out by
subordinates.
1t was emphasized aSain today that
the controlling motive u British
commissions visit to the United states