Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-11-08
u. S. ENJOYS TO
WAR CONFERENCE
SAFE IN ENGLAND
American Commission Headed
by Col. House Arrives
at British Port

Washington, Nov. S.-Safe arrival
Mt a British port of the American
commissioners to the allied war con-
ference. headed by Colonel r. NJ.
House. was announced last night by
the State Department. Secretary Lam
sing made this statement:
The Government of the United
states will participate in the ap-
preaching conference of the powers
waging war against the German en-
pire, and has sent as its representa-
tive Edward NJ. House. who is ac-
companied by Admiral w. S. Benson.
chief of naval operations; General
Tasker II. Bliss, chief of staff.
U. S. A; Oscar r. Crosby, assistant
secretary of the Treasury; Vance c.
Mccormick. chairman of the War
Trade Board; cambridge Colby, Unit
ed States Shipping Board; DIR. Alonzo
r. Taylor, representing the Food
Controller; Thomas Nelson Perkins
representing the Priority Board, and
Gordon -Auchincloss, as secretary.
THE conference is essentially n
war conference with the object of
perfecting a more complete co-ordi
nation of the activities of the various
nations engaged in the conflict and
the more comprehensive understand
ing of their respective needs in order
that the joint efforts of the cobellig-
erents may attain the highest war
efficiency.
Discussion of Wide Scope
While a definite program has not
been adopted, it may be assumed that
the subjects to be discussed will em-
brace not only those pertaining to
military and naval operations, but
also the financial. commercial, eco
nomic and other phases of the present
situation, which are of vital impor-
tance to the successful prosecution
of the war
There will undoubtedly be an eff
fort to avoid any conflict of interest
among the participants. and there is
every reason to anticipate that the
result will be fuller cooperation and
consequently much higher efficiency
and a more vigorous prosecution of
the war.
THE United States, in the employ
ment of it's manpower and material
resources, desires 10 use them to the
greatest advantage against Germany.
1t has been no easy problem to de-
termine how they can be used most
effectively since the Independent
presentation of requirements by the
allied governments have been more
or less conflicting on account of each
government appreciation pl It's u" II
wants, which are naturally given
81 eater Importance than, the wants of
other governments.
BY a general survey of the whole
situation and free discussion of the
needs of all the approaching confer
ence will undoubtedly be able to give
to the demands of the several gov
ernments their true perspective and
proper place in the general plans
for the conduct of the war.
Resources Not Limitless
Though the resources of this coun-
try are vast, and though there is
every purpose to devote them all, If
need be, to winning the war. they
are not without limit. But even II
they were greater they should all be
used to the highest advantage in at
tanning the supreme object for which
we are fighting. This can only be
done by full and frank discussion
of the plans and needs of the various
belligerents.
TT is the earnest wish of this Gov
ernment to employ it's military and
naval forces and its resources and
energy where they will give the
greatest return in advancing the
common cause. The exchange Of
views which will take place at the
conference, and the conclusions which
will be reached, will be of the high
est value in preventing waste of en-
ergy and in bringing into harmony
the activities of the nations which
have been unavoidably acting in
measure Independently.
I'm looking forward to the assem-
bling of the conference, 1t cannot be
too strongly emphasized that it is a
war conference and nothing else, de-
voted to devising ways and means
to intensity the efforts of the bellig-
erents against Germany by complete
cooperation under a general plan
ana thus bring the conflict to a
speedv and satisfactory conclusion
Even the fact that the Americans
to participate in the conference had
been named had been a carefully
guarded secret until they were
through the submarine zone and safe
on British soil The part that the
United states is to play in framing
the great allied program is empha-
sized by the fact that the mission,
headed by President wilson's closest
personal friend ana adviser, includes
the highest officers of the Army and
Navy.
I'VE had a pleasant and unevent-
full VOYAGE" Colonel House told the
Associated Press. the weather was
fair. There were no submarines. 1t
was the best vacation L have had in