The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-04-27
BALFOURAND PARTY
SAFE IN AMERICA.
BRITISH COMMISSIONERS TO WAR
COUNCIL RECEIVED WITH
HIGHEST HoNoRs.
Dean Of English Statesmen Defines
War losues and Expresses Apprecia-
ton for Work Americans Have
Done In interests Of NeutraIs.


Washington.--lr Minister Bal
four and the other members of the
commission sent 10 America by the
government Of Great Britain, arrived
Ia Washington on Sunday.
Great BrItain's high commissioners
10 the international war council ar-
rived safely and set foot ON American
soil at New York City ON Saturday,
April "a
While unable 10 grant mn extended
Interview before presenting himself to
President Wilson. Mr. Balfour Will
ingly consented 10 say few words
ny 10 his general hopes for the confer
rnce and the fundamental purposes be-
hind II. A verbatim copy follows:
All win agree that my first duty as
head Of a diplomatic mission IL 10 pay
my respects 70 the head of the state 70
which ] have been sent and no public
expression OF opinion on points OF pol
ley would. ! think. be useful or even
tolcrnble until ! have Ind the honor of
comforting with your president and
learning HIS views. I have not come
here 10 make speeches or indulge IN
interviews, but 10 do what can 90
make cooperation easy and effective
between those who are striving with
an their power TO bring about last
Ing peace By the only means That eau
secure II, namely. successful war.
without, however, violating the rule
] have just laid down. there are two
things which ] muy permit myself TO
sny One, on my own behalf the
ether on behalf Of my countrymen In
general
ON my own behalf. let me express
the deep qualification | feel at being
connected In amy capacity whatever
with events which associate our coun-
tries Ia common effort FOR d great
ideal.
ON behalf OF my countrymen, let me
express our gratitude for all TINT The
citizcns of the United states Of Amer.
len hive done TO mitigate the lot Of
those who, I'm the allied countries, have
suffered from the cruelties Of the most
deliberately cruel OF MI wars ~
nnlsle no others, the efforts Of Mr.. Ger-
arr 10 alleviate The condition OF Iirit.
ish and other prisoners 0f war N Ger.
many md the administrative genlus
which AIR Hoover hns nngrudglngly
devoted 10 the relief ~ the unhappy
Helginns and French Ia The territories
SIN Ia enemy occupation, win never
he forgotten: while an inexhauStlbie
stream 0f charitable effort has sup
piled medical and nursing skin 10 the
service OF the wounded and the sick
These are the memorable doings Of
a benehcent neutrality, But tin days
IT neutrality ARE, | rejoice 10 think at
IN end and the first page Is being
lDrncd ~ new chapter ~ the history
~ mankind Your president, IN most
apt and vivid phrase. has proclaimed
that the world must be made safe for
democracy. Democracles whenever
they nre found, aud not least the de-
mocraeies Of the British empire, will
hail the pronouncement as happy
auGury. That selfgaverning eommu-
mites are not To be treated as negllg.
ibie simply because they ARE small
that the ruthless domination Of one
INSCRIPTIONS power imperils the fu-
ture Of civilization aud the liberties
of mankind, are truths of political eth
irs which the bitter experience of war
Is burning into the souls Of All free
doni-loslng peoples, That this great
people should have thrown themselves
Enthusiastically into this mighty
struggle. prepared for all the efforts
and sacrifices TINT may he required TO
win success for this most righteous
cause. Is an event mt once 80 happy
and so momentous that only the his
torlan Of the future viii be able. as
believe Il, TO measure It's true pro.
portions.