Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-08

q
British port Of the American commits
sioners to the allied war conference
headed by Col. E. M. House was an
nounced late to-day by the state depart
ment.
Members of the mission, are Admiral
William S. Benson. chief Of naval opera
tions; Gen. Tasker II. Bliss. chief Of the
army staff; Oscar T. Crosby, assistant
secretary of the treasury; Vance McCor-
mick, chairman of the war trade board:
cambridge Colby, of the shipping board;
DR.. Alonzo E. Taylor, of the food admin
istration, and Gordon Auchincloss. secre-
tary.
In making the announcement Secretary
Lansing said the conference would be
essentially a war conference. with the
object Of perfecting more complete CO.
ordination Of the activities Of the allied
nations in order to attain the highest
efficiency. This is the American govern
| ment's first definite announcement on the
purpose Of the meeting.
Even the fact that the Americans to
participate in the conference had been
named has been q carefully guarded
secret until they were through the SUBJ
marine zone and safe on British soil.
The part that the United States Is to
play in framing the great allied program
is emphasized by the fact that the mis-
sion headed by President Wilson's closest
personal friend and adviser, includes the
highest officers of the army and navy.
Secretary Lansing made this statement:
1.-THE government of the United States
will participate in the approaching con-
| ference of the powers waging war against
the German empire and has sent as it's
| representatives Mr.. Edward NJ. House.
who is accompanied by Admiral w. S.
| Benson, chief Of naval operations; Gen.
| Tasker H. Bliss, chief Of staff, U. s.
army; Oscar T. Crosby. assistant secre-
| tary of the treasury; Vance c. McCor-
mick. chairman Of the war trade board !;
cambridge Colby. United States ship
ping board; Dr.. Alonzo e. Taylor, repre-
senting the food controller; Thomas Nell
son Perkins, representing priority board {:
and Gordon Auchincloss. as secretary.
1.-THE conference Is essentially a war
conference with the object of perfecting
| more complete coordination of the
activities OF the various nations engaged
in the conflict and the more comprehen-
sive understanding Of their respective
needs in order that the Joint efforts of
the co-belligerents may attain the high
est war efficiency. While definite pro-
gram has not been adopted it may be
assumed that the subjects to be discussed
will embrace not only those pertaining
to military and naval operations. but
also the financial, commercial, economic
and other phases of the present situa-
ton which are of vital Importance to
the successful prosecution of the war.
'There will undoubtedly be an effort
to avoid any conflict of interest among
the participants, and there is every rea.
son to anticipate that the result will
bc fuller cooperation, and consequent,
: a much higher efficiency and a NOR,
vigorous prosecution of the war.
"The United States In the employment
) Of its man-power and material resources
desires to use them to the greatest ad
vantage against Germany. 1t has beer
l. no easy problem to determine how they
can be used most effectively since tn,
n Independent presentation Of requirement.
by the allied governments have beer
). more or less conflicting on account O
each governments appreciation Of its owl
wants which are naturally given create
importance than the wants of othe
governments. By a general survey of tn
: whole situation and a free discussion
Q of the needs Of all, the approaching
: conference will undoubtedly be able t
: give the demands of the several govern
ments their true perspective and prope
place in the general plans for the con
4 duct Of the war.
z Though the resources Of this countr
II are vast and though there is every pur
.. pose to devote them all. II need be, t
u winning the war, they are not withou
limit. But even II they were greater the
i should all be used to the highest advan
% tage In attaining the supreme object 70
+" which we are fighting. This can onl
= be done by full and frank discussio
Of the plans and needs of the variou
belligerents. 1t Is the earnest wish O
this government to employ its militar
and naval forces and its resources an
d energy where they will give the creates
70 return In advancing the common cause
l. The exchange Of views which will TAX
1t pace at the conference and the con
10 clusions which will be reached will b
'r of the highest value In preventing vast
It Of energy and In bringing into harmon