Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-05-03
BALFOUR BEGINS
wilson Farley
Crowds at Washington Cheer
British Commissioner.
WILL EXCHANGE WAR SECRETS


Full Cooperation With Britain and
France in Overthrowing Prussian
Autocracy-U. S. Soldiers Will Fight
on French Soil.
Washington, April 24-From the
lips Of President Wilson himself Ar
thur J. Balfour, British secretary for
foreign affairs, learned the grim pur
pose of the American government and
people to employ all their resources
to bring the imperial German govern.
ment to terms. The President made
it clear to Mr.. BalfOur during the
three-quarters of an hour conference
at the White House, in which Secre~
tary Lansing participated, that the
United States fully realizes the great
ness Of the task it has assumed. The
executive departments and the coun-
Gil of national defense are concentrat-
ing their efforts to provide the most
effective aid possible for the allies.
Washington, April 24-Formalities
preliminary to the actual conferences
between the British commission, head
ed by Arthur ]. Balfour, foreign sec
rotary, and representatives of the gov
eminent, began here with the utmost
cordially and affability. and amid
scenes bordering on the enthusiastic.
Mr.. Balfour paid calls on Secretary
Lansing and the President. Every
where he went he was received with
acclaim by the crowds which collect
ed at the state department and the
White House To each tribute Of this
kind Mr.. Balfour responded by bow
ing and smiling right and left.
Escorted by Assistant Secretary
Long and the British ambassador, Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice, Mr.. Balfour appear
ed at the state department at 10:45 a.
m, He was Immediately ushered into
Secretary Lansing's office, where the
secretary met him with the utmost
simplicity and cordiality.
The former premier of England
seemed perfectly at home amid his
new surroundings and lost no oppor-
tunity to show his democracy Upon
entering the state department he con-
ferred his first bow and smile upon
Eddie" Savoy, the ancient colored
messenger, who has served several
secretaries of state in that capacity.
Plan Work of Conference.
While actual conferences on prin-
MI t0 20
day or two and may not be allowed to
progress far before the arrival Of the
French commission, progress was
made in mapping out the work which
will be done. Almost automatically the
conferences to be organized have
broken up under the following heads:
The extent of political cooperation
which the United States will give.
Military and naval operations.
Shipping and food
Financial assistance.
It is confidentially expected here
that while the various commissions
will go into formal conference daily,
the foregoing subjects will be referred
to subcommittee for the framing OF
general principles after which the de-
tails and the machinery will be or
gained by permanent cooperating
committees.
Details May Take Monthc.
It is the belief that Mr. Balfcur and
the heads Of the American govern
ment should be able to agree upon the
general principles in comparatively
short time, but the details will take
weeks and months to place in opera
ton and the effect will be felt until
the end Of the war Two outstanding
facts SEEM to characterize the com
ing of the English commission. It is
learned in authoritative quarters that
its presence in Washington was large
ly inspired by the desire of Mr.. Bal
four to signaliZe in some unusual way
che appreciation of Great Britain for
the unselfish action of the United
States in entering the war. In the sec
ond place the commission which Mr..
Balfour heads is primarily a commits
sion of service. While Mr. Balfour and
the other experts have definite no.
tions where the United States can
throw military and financial weight
most effectively at this time this In
will be forthcoming only
when asked for by this government.
Well Armed With Documents.
There are men on the British COM
mission who can answer apy question
this government may desire to pro-
pound. They have brought with them
trunkloads of official papers, contain
ing facts bearing on every phase of
he war, the object being to furnish
exact information instantly, if asked,
hat may save the United States from
making blunders at heavy cost. This
,pitomizes the object of the commits