Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29
WAR ENJOYS TO co
TO MOUNT VERNON
/ AND PAY TRIBUTES
British and French Commis-
sioners to Lay Wreaths on
Washington's Tomb.
GATES ARE TO BE CLOSED
TO ALL OTHER VISITORS
Conferences Clear Up Financial
Questions and Aid of U. S.-0ther
Ways Being Discussed.

ways Being Discussed.
Two nations which fought, and a
third whose leaders figured in a mo-
mentous struggle over democracy near
ly century and a half ago. today will
Join hands. f1guratively. over the tomb
of the hero of that earlier war. to
pledge common fealty in the world war
for democracy in 1917.
High officials of the British govern
ment will perform the unprecedented
act of laying a wreath of flowers on
the tomb of Washington. The fore
most statesman and the foremost war
rior of France will place a bronze palm
leaf on the sarcophagus. an honor
hitherto reserved for men who died in
the service of that republic.
With the gates of Mount Vernon
closed to visitors, this impressive cere-
mony will take place along the quiet
waters of the Potomac, with high Of
ficials of the three governments to wit
ness 1t.
Work to Have Way Next Week.
This meeting will mark the culmina-
tion of a week Of calls. courtesies and
all possible exchanges of tokens of
amity and fellowship. and the coming
week will be devoted to the work for
which the British and French war COM
missions were sent to confer with Off
cials Of the United States government
Amid these acts of courtesy last week
the groundwork of understanding nee
essary to the detailed discussion Of the
part this country will take in the war
against Germany was firmly laid.
In the minds Of representative, OF the
three governments these broad principles
are believed to be perfectly clear. The
question Of finance already has been
cleared up to a marked extent by official
announcements
Other Ways o. S. Can Help.
It also is conceded that tho United
States can be Of greatest assistance along
three broad general lines.
l. Helping avert the world food famine
which leaders Of all three nations agree
faces the ctvilixed world.
ing cars, ships, automobiles, furnishing
oils for lubricants and, as tho most es-
sential detail. supplying ships enough to
get the food and other commodities across
). Supplying steel and coal to the allies.
two necessary articles for the production
Of munitions.
Mission Of q. s. to Russia.
It developed yesterday that the envoys
also have impressed upon this government
a point Of which our officials were aware
that pressure must be brought to bear
upon Russia to stand fast with the allies
until Germany is brought to terms. Little
accurate knowledge is possessed which
would indicate the probable course of
Russia
Forces sway the vast, dark and hidden
land which cannot be estimated by OBJ
servers outside. probably not by those in
closest touch with affairs within her bor-
ders Germany. French ENJOYS have re-
ported, Is playing upon Russian leaders
to get her to conclude a separate peace.
Capital is even being made of the revo-
man agents to argue that Germany may
go through a transformation from au-
tocracy to democracy. which will ac-
hoped to accomplish in the land Of the
car.
symbolizes Anti-German Crusade.
The union of Great Britain. France
and the United States over the tomb of
Washington will symbolic to Americas
guests a contamination of the Joint
crusade against German autocracy
Members of both missions spoke of the
ceremonies yesterday as carrying a
great significance. To England, 1t
means the final healing of the breach
made by the revolution. to France re-
conservation of the ideals of the two
countries along the best lines. of
democracy.
The party will go to Mount Vernon
on the presidential yacht MayfoNer,
accompanied by the members of the
cabinet and their wives, military and
naval officers, Chairmen Padgett and
Swanson of the House and Senate naval
committees. respectively. and Gov Stuart
Of Virginia. Foreign Minister Balfour
will head the British delegation. and
Vice Premier Viviani and Marshal
Jofrre will head the French party.
More than one hundred American officials
all told will be in the party.
Both the British and French mis-
sions made considerable progress yes
terday in their conferences with
Intensive discussions by experts along
lines laid out by Mr.. Balfour occupied
the British Maj. G. E. Dansey of the
British war office continued his discus
Admiral Sir Dudley r. S. De Chair
talked with Navy Department chiefs on
maritime questions. and A G. Ander-
son. chairman of the wheat executive
commission of England. France and
Italy saw members of the shipping
board. British trade experts Conferred
at the British embassy in an effort to
systematize the information requested
by American officials on trading with
the enemy. export restrictions, the ra :
tfoning Of Holland and Scandinavia
and German trade influences in South
America.
To See M. Viviani Tomorrow.
Tomorrow the President will confer
with Reno Viviani. head of the French
mission. at the White House. So far
President Wilson has not had an on
portunity to discuss details with the
representatives of France, tho formal
meeting at the White House following
the arrival of the mission having been
devoted entirely to broad generalities
Dednite problems of the war were
ss..,.sad at the French capfaranc..