Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-05
PRESIDENT CHEERS
BALFOUR'S SPEECH
Occupies Gallery Seat as Brit
ish Envoy Addresses House
of Representatives.
VICTORY BRITON'S KEYNOTE

4
delivered a ringing message to
America today standing upon the ros-
trum of the House of Representatives
and speaking not only to the member
ship of the House, but to President Will
son as well. who occupied seat in
the executive gallery.
His message was one of promise
promise that with the forces of democ-
racy banded together. as they now are
on both sides of the Atlantic the IRON
hand of German military despotism
will be stopped before il crushes the
freedom of the world. His speech was
an earnest one. although it was tenn
pered, as it necessarily would be under
such circumstances.
The House and galleries frequently
interrupted him with cheers: and when
he predicted that the democracy OF the
world will surely conquer. the Presi-
dent himself lead the applause.
Great Moment in History.
This is one of the great moments in
the history of the world" said Mr.. Bal
four, after he had outlined the parallel
between the House of Representatives
and the British parliament. He spoke
of the common fight against the ag-
and said that the menace under whlch
we are now suffering is one which does
not diminish under civilization he
declared that the despotism OF this
character thriYes under civilization un-
til uprooted and killed by the orother-
hood of world democracy.
Today was the first time, so far as
Capitol historians could find, that any
President of the United States had ap-
peared in the galleries.
President Enters Unnoticed.
The President slipped quietly into the
executive gallery during the reading of
a message from the president OF the
chamber of deputies of Rumania by
Representative Estopinal of Florida.
Not a member nor the Speaker noticed
his arrival. and there was no applause.
AS Representative Estopinal read the
President sat down in a corner OF the
gallery.
few of the members understood, they
laughed as Mr. Estopinal proceeded.
The President sat quietly in the corner,
not even removing his overcoat.
He was accompanied by Mrs. wilson,
Mrs. McAdoo and Secretary McAdoo.
After the President had been in the gal
lery for five minutes he was suddenly
recognized. Members Immediately stood
up and cheered. He rose and bowed sew
eral times The galleries Joined with the
floor in the cheering and the President
showed his appreciation of the greeting
by a broad smile and several bows.
Seats Quickly Filled.
Routine business occupied the at
tention of the House until a few
minutes before the commission arrived.
When word spread about noon that
President Wilson was coming. seats
on the floor and in the gallery filled
quickly. Members of the Supreme
Court, headed by Chief Justice White.
occupied chairs on the floor to the left
of the Speakers rostrum. Among first
arrivals in the diplomatic gallery We're
the minister of Haiti, Ambassador JUS
se.rand, Mrs. Spring-Rice. British Coun-
selor Barclay and Counselor Polk of
the State Department.
Speaker Clark named a committee,
headed by Chairman Flood of the for
egn affairs committee. to escort the
British party into the chamber.
The arrival of Mr.. Balfour was form
lowed by cheers. began. He was ac-
companied by the British ambassador
and all the members of the British
comm .ssion. Mr.. Balfour was i'm
mediately introduced by the Speaker.
Speech Evokes Great Applause.
Mr. Balfour spoke of the creating of
the English and American governments
and aroused great applause by the declara-
ton that upon their democratic principles
depended the future security of the peace
of the world.
Their histories are different" he said,
but it is upon their representative gov
eminent and democratic principles to
which we look forward for the future
security of the peace of the world"
Mr. Balfour continued: 1T is in
great cause that we are going to fight,
and are fighting at this very moment,
side by side. In that cause we will
surely conquer Our children can look
back on this day as one from which
democracy dates its greatest effort to
secure itself and bring about peace in
the world"
President Joins in Handclapping.
The President was among those who
applauded loudest AS Balfour began
speaking the President removed his
gloves and entered into the hand
clapping with great vigor.
Mr.. Balfour concluded by again
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