New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-23
Officials Greet Party
on Arrival of Train
from the North
Capital Brilliant
With Allies Colors
Troops of u. S. Cav
airy Act as Escort
Through Streets

Washington. April 22.--The Ameri-
can capital to-day extended simple
but heartfelt welcome to the British
Minister for Foreign Affairs. Arthur
J. Balfour, and the other members OF
the British Commission, which has
come to Washington, as Mr.. Balfour
expressed it, TO make cooperation
easy and effective between those who
are striving-with all their power
to bring about a lasting peace by the
only means that can secure it-name-
ly, a successful war"
The weather was perfect, and Wash
ington. clad in the light green foliage
of the season, never looked more
beautiful than this afternoon, when
the special train which had brought
the distinguished visitors with their
official escorts from the north drew
into the Union Station, Everywhere
bunting few in the light breeze, main
British Union Jack and the Frcnch
tricolor were in evidence in many
places, but the local flag makers had
been unable to meet the public de-
mand.
Not To Be Treated as Social Event
There were no other decorations,
and even at the Union Station the only
touch of color was lent by the thros
large flags, the American, British and
French. which were hoisted on tho .
three great masts adorning the plaza.
Nor was there any music to greet
the visitors. the original plan, includ-
ing the presence Of the Marine Band.
having been amended to conform To
the view expressed by President VII.
son and Secretary Lansing that this
was grave and serious event in
American history, and not to be light
ly treated or regarded as a social and
festive affair.
On the plaza and overlapping the
great building at either wing were
gathered some 5000 persons waiting
patiently for a glimpse of the nations
guests, restrained at proper dis
tance by hundreds of policemen and
by two troops of the I'd Cavalry, com
manded by Colonel Fenton, part OF
the garrison at Fort Myer.
Within the station lines had been
drawn separating the travelling pub
lie from the space at the eastern end
OF the concourse across which the Wis
iting party was to pass, on the way
from tire train shed to the Presidents
room. All Of the police captains Of
the district had Deen ranged here in
a double line as a guard of honor and
to keep back intruders. Twoscore
newspaper men standing to the cast
OF the concourse were the only unof-
fetal persons permitted in this sec
tion of the station.
Nations Visitors Well Guarded
Detectives swarmed everywbera
through the crowds and at any point
where danger might Turk. Altogether
the precautions taken to insure the
safety Of the nations visitors exceeded
anything ever known in the history OF
the district.
Exactly at o'clock the train bearing
the British commissioners and their
attaches drew into the station. Aside
from the guards, only very few per-
sens had been permitted to enter the
train shed. These included Secretary
Lansing, Frank L. Polk, counsellor for
the State Department; William Phillips,
Assistant Secretary of State; Hugh
Gibson. secretary Of the American Le-
cation at Brussels. who distinguished
himself by his extraordinary efforts to
save the life Of Edith Cavell, and sew
eral other State Department officials.
Representing the British governments
were Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the Brit
ish Ambassador; Colville Barclay. coun-
sellor for the embassy; Thomas Spring
Rice, Mr.. Hohler, Lieutenant Colonel
Murrough O'Brien, Commodore Guy
Gaunt and secretaries and attaches OF
the embassy.
Balfour and Lansing Meet
AS the special train stopped two OF
the military officers Of the British party
stepped to the floor of the shed, preeed-
ing Immediately Mr.. Bslfour. The Min.
ister for Foreign. Affairs descended, ha.
in hand and was Immediately presented
by the British Ambassador TO Secretary
Lansing
The two Secretaries exchanged a
hearty handelasp and chatted for few
moments while the remainder OF the
party emerged from the train and
ranged themselves along the side TO
permit of photograph being taken BY
an official photographer--the only one
which is to be permitted. according 70
the present plan. when this was dons
the visitors moved along the train shed
to the station, preceded By Thomas