Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-11-08
SAFE ARRIVAL
Continued from Page Ore)

SArE ANN ' AL
{Continued from Page One)
In a statement accompanying his an
nouncement Secretary Lansing empha-
sized the fact that this gathering is to
be a war conference and nothing else,
charged with mapping out plan Of
campaign against Germany to bring
the conflict TO a speedy and satisfac-
tory end
There have been many indications
that the conference was called a the
request of the United States. In select
ing its representatives, the United
States has provided in advance against
becoming invilved in discussion of any
peace terms. There is no diplomatic
representative with the mis1ion. The
business at this time of every member
Of Col. Houses staff is warmaking
and there can be no discussion Of any
matters not having to do with the
prosecution OF the war.
ticr1bers Of the Commission
Members o. the commission are Ad
mira! william Benson. chief OF naval
operations: Cen. Tasker 5. Bliss, chiet
OF the array ;,alf; Oscar T. Crosby.
assistant secretary Of the treasury:
Vance &. MCCo!ulic chairman Of the
War Trade Beard: Bainzridge Colby
Of the Shipping Board: DR.. AlonZo f.
Taylor OF the Food Administration:
Thomas Nelson Perkins. representing
the Priority Board and Gordon .Auch-
incloss. secretary.
In making the announcement. Sec
retarv lansing said the conference
would be essentially a War Confer
ence. with the object Of periecting a
more complete CO. ordination of the ac-
tivities Of the Allied Nations in order
to attain the highest efficiency. This
is the American governments first
definite announcement of the purposes
of the meeting.
Even the fact that the Americans
TO participate in the conference had
been named had been carefully guard
-'ed 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 emphasized by the fact that
the mission. headed bv President Will
sons closest personal friend and advis-
er includes the highest officials of the
army and navy.
Secretary Lansins's Statement
Secretary Lansing made this state
ment:
The government of the United
States will participate in the approach
ing conference of the powers wag-
ing war against the German Empire
and has sent as representatives, Mr.
Edward NJ. House. who is accompa-
MED by Admiral w. s Benson. chief of
naval operations: Gen. Tasker f. Bliss.
chief of staff of United States Army:
Oscar 7. Crosby, assistant secretary of
the treasury; Vance Mccormick,
chairman Of the War Trade Board:
Rainbridge Colby. United States Ship
ping Board: Dr. Aionzo r. Taylor. rep
resenting the Food Controller: Thorn
as Nelson Perkins. representing the
Priority Board; and Gordon Achin-
Gloss as secretary.
The conference is essentially a
War Conference with the object of
perfeCting a more complete co-ordina- =
ton of the activities # the various
nations engaged in the conflict and the
more comprehensive understanding of
their respective needs in order that
Joint efforts of the -belligerents emay
attain the highest war efficiency While
a definite program has not been adopt
ed. it may he assumed that the sub
JectS to be discussed will embrace not
on:% those pertaining to military and
naval operations bnt also the financial
commercial economic and other phases
of the present situation which are of
vital importance to the successful
prosecution of the war
Avoid Conflict of Interest
There will undoubtedly be an effort
to avoid any conflict of interest amony
the participants. and there is every
reason to anticipate that the result will
be fuller cooperation and consequent
ly much higher efficiency and a more
vigorous prosecution of the war
The United States in the employ
ment of its man power and material
resources desires to use them TO the
greatest advantage against Germany
II has been no easy problem to deter
mine how they can be used most ef-
fectively since the independent presen-
tation OF requirements by the Allied
Governments have been more or less
conflicting on account of each govern
ments appreciation Of its own wants
which are naturally given greater i'm
portance than the wants of other gov
e.nments BY q general survey of the
whole situation and free discussion of
the needs of Italy the approaching con
ference will undoubtedly be able to .iva
the demands of the several govern
mentS their true perspective and prop
Dr. Place in the general plans for the
conduct of the war
Full and Frank Discussion
Though the resources of this cuuu-
Try are vast and though there is ev-
cry purpose to devote all if need be to
winning tEe war, they are not without
Unit. But even il they were great ter
ihe% should al be used to the highest
uoVanta2e in attaining the supreme
object for which we are fighting. This
can only be done by Q full and frank
Of he 10