New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06
Cheers by Representatives
Greet Envoy and
President
Peace May Be Menace
Wards Are Interpreted as
Warning Against Premature
Ending of War


..h,before the House Of Representa-
aid the world only now was
- 70 realize that peace and ma
- civilization may bring the great
- possible menace TO free govern
cents.
when 7 was young he said, Eve
a..S 20 fatter ourselves that progress
-,vi.sbly meant peace and that growth
= knowledge wss always accompanied
Il. natural fruit by the growth of
.,,s will. Unhsppily we know better
80 We know there is such thing
/, ,he world as q power which can with
.,vsrvinc persistency focus all the re-
,.r,ess Of knowledge and of civiliza-
-, into the one great task Of making
...,lf the moral and material master
q. the world. II is against that dan
., tia, We. the free peoples Of west
IN civilization, have banded ourselves
ogether.'
The British ststesmsn's words, in
..-preted by many Of his hearers as
vsrring against a premature ending
4 the great war, were cheered by the
representatives and crowded galleries.
Wilson in Gallery
President Wilson entered the exeeu-
nv. gallery unnoticed while Repre-
.,rtstiye Estopinal, Of Louisiana, was
reading in French a message from the
Chamber Of Deputies of Rumsnia ex-
pres.ing 10 the Representatives Of the
American House its wsrmest congratu-
atoms on Joining the war against Ger
nsny
After the President had been in the
s,llery FIVE minutes he was discovered,
and members stood up and cheered.
III. President rose and bowed, while
the galleries Joined in the demonstra-
ton.
Then the House turned its attention
% Mr.. Balfour and his party, who
we're escorted into the chamber amid
tsndclapplng ana cneers'
Bsltour was Immediately intro
by Speaker Clark. President
was among those who applaud
slests Is Mr.. Balfour began speak
4r Bslfour spoke as follows;
VIII YOU permit me. on behalf Of
no friends and myself, to offer you
nv deepest and sincerest thanks for
the rare and valued honor which you
have done US by receiving US here to-
DAY: We ali feel the greatness of this
honor, but ! think to none Of US can 1t
some home so closely as to one who,
Ike myself, has been for forty-three
.ears N the service Of a free assembly
Re your own.
The Two Free Assemblies
ladies' and gentlemen, these two
assemblies are the greatest and the
Oldest Of the free assemblies now gov
.rninc great nations in the world. The
history. indeed, Of the two is very diff
,sr,nt. The beginnings of the British
Rouse Of Commons go back to a dim,
historic past, and its full rights and
status have only been conquered and
psrnanently secured after centuries Of
ptical struggle.
Tour fate has been happier one.
zen we're called into existence AZ a
such later stage Of social develop
rent. You came into being complete
add perfected and all your powers de-
TRIMMED and your place in the Consti-
igiion secured beyond chance of revo-
lstion bu. though the history Of these
,so great assemblies is different, each
dthem represents the great democrat
f principle 70 which we look forward
Is the security for the future peace Of
he world.
"Mr. Speaker. the compliment paid
10 The mission from Great Britain by
such an assembly and upon such an
oseasion is one not one Of US is ever
likely 10 forget; but there is SOME
Ting after all even deeper and more
igniheant in the circumstances under
Which now have the honor TO ad-
'isss you, than any which arise out
q the interchange Of courtesies, how
ever sincere. between two great and
friendly nations.
We an. think, feel instinctively
nat this is one Of the great moments
. the history Of the world. and that
Wat is now happening on both sides
" the Atlantic represents the drawing
'seiher Of great and free peoples for
au'ual protection against the agrees
Won Of military despotism
Despotism a Menace
am not one Of those. none Of you
We among those, who are such bad
Nnocrats as 20 say that democracies
-ake no mistakes. All free assemblies
ave made blunders; sometimes they
ave committed crimes. Why is 1t,
sen that we look forward TO the spirit
Tree institutions, and especially
@'ng our present enemies, as one Of
greatest guarantees Of the future
zee Of the world? ] will say TO you,
'sauemen, how it seems 70 me.
" Is quite true that the people and
representatives of the people may
:, 'eHayed by some momentary gust
!. passion into policy which they
/ --nately denlnrn. hui 70 is only q