Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-24
Great Britain'S War Commits
sion Is Extended Every
Mark of Honor and Cour-
teSy Within Gift Of Nation
PEOPLES ENTHUSIASM
SURPRISE TO VISITORS
Members Are Carried Off
Their Feet by the Warmth
of the WeIcomei Short
Farley Held With President
,sv so.sras .ovrs.L SPECIAL LEASED WIRE

tsv MORNING JouRsAL SPECIAL LEASED wIRE'
| Washington, April 23.--Great Bri-
tain's war commission spent today in
the American capital receiving every
mark of honor and courtesy within
the gift of the government.
Foreign Secretary Arthur James
Balfour, formally presented by Secre-
tary Lansing to President Wilson In
the morning, was the guest of honor
tonight at the most notable dinner
given at the White House in a genera
ton. During the day he was pre-
sented to Vice President Marshall, at
the capitol, lunched at the French en-
bassy. and received cards or calls
from many prominent persons, includ-
ing William J. Bryan.
Meanwhile Lieutenant General
Bridges and other British army Off
GERS called on Secretary Baker, Maj.
Gen Scott chief of staff, and war de-
partment officials; Admiral De Chair
and his naval aides called on Secre-
tary Daniels, Admiral Benson and
other navy department officials; and
Lord Cunliffc, governor of the Bank
of England, called on Secretary Nc
Adoo at the treasury department.
Overwhelmed by the Welcome.
The enthusiasm that the people OF
the capital have shown and the cour-
tesies and cordialties extended by the
officials have taken the British COM
mission by surprise. Mr.. Balfour, af-
ter three quarters of an hours Conver-
sation with President Wilson, re-
marked enthusiastically that his trip
las been justified by the meeting
alone.
All during the day the members of
the commission exclaimed over the
warmth of the welcome. AS il to
make it more perfect, Washington
just at this time is blossoming into
the full richness of its spring dress.
While no formal negotiations were en-
tered into today, the preliminary con-
ferences on all hands were stated not
to have been wholly perfunCtory, but
rather to have laid an excellent basis
of acquaintance and understanding
for the detailed conferences to follow.
President Wilson and Mr.. Balfour are
known to have touched on the broad
established an atmosphere OF conf
dence and concord.
The official prediction was made
that no formal conference would be
begun until the arrival Of the French
commissioners, expected in the next
few days. Groundwork will be laid
as rapidly as possible so that the mo-
ment the French arrive the negotia-
tions may begin in earnest.
Balfour to Map Out Work.
The British visitors held an organ
ization meeting at the embassy today
and Mr.. Balfour plans to spend to-
morrow mapping out the division of
work and arranging for the proper
British and American officials TO
meet for the tasks before them. An
other score of subordinate British Of
ficials are expected shortly.
The British commission announced
that its purpose in coming to this
country was purely one of co-opera-
ton, service and gratitude, that tho
direction of the conferences would
rest largely with the American gov
ernment. At the same time American
officials convinced the British that
this country appreciates England's
courtesy in sending such distin-
guished spokesmen and is fully dedi-
Gated to every possible effort against
the common foe.
Mr.. Balfour, it was stated. will
make several public statements dur
ing his stay as to the English point
of view and will attempt to remove
any misconceptions he may find ex-
isting. Vice President Marshall in
vited him to address the senate. but
it is improbable he will appear before
unless perhaps with the
French Minister of Justice Viviani.
are being made for him
day. General Bridges will be inter
viewed tomorrow and Lord Cunliffe
on Thursday.
Dinner at White House.
Tonight's dinner at the White
House was the climax of an eventful
day. Mr.. Balfour British Ambassa-
dor Spring-Rice and all the ranking
of the British commission
were invited to meet the president and
Mrs. Wilson, the members of the cab
met, Chief Justice White, the advisory
of the council of national
defense, Secretary Tumulty and Miss
Helen Woodrow Bones. cousin of the
president. At the same time other
members of the commission we're be-
ing entertained at dinner at the Six
teenth street mansion occupied by Mr.. |
Balfour's immediate party.