Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-05
Former British Premier
Given Rousing Reception
by Members.
PRESIDENT THERE
IN SECLUSION
Occupies Executive Gallery and Lis
tens to Noted English Statesman =
BaIfour Discusses Menace Of Ger.
man MiIitarism and Predicts Victory
With Aid Of America-Japan May
Send War Commission to America.

-
son occupied a seat in the executive
ct the house today while Britt
ish Foreign Minister Balfour and mem
bers of the British mission We're re-
ceived on the floor. 1t was the first
time. as far as, house historians are
informed, a president has appeared in
the galleries.
President Wilson entered the execu
tive gallery unnoticed while Represen-
tative Estinople, Of louisiana. was
reading, in French, a message from>the
president of the chamber of deputies of
Roumania. The message said the cham
ber Of deputies hastened to express
to the representatives Of the American
house dts warmeSt concentrations on
joining the war aSninst Germany.
Members 0lsese Wilson.
After the prssid6nt had been in the
gallery Ave minutes hs Was discovered
and the members stood up and oheered.
The president rose and bowed while
the galleries joined In the demonstra-
ton
to the commissioners who were fes-,
corted into the chamber. Mr. Balfour
introduced bySpeak-
,er Clark and addressed the. house. "
BalfouF Makess Spssch. i,s ~
b will you permit me. he began, ito
offer to you my most sincere thanks
for the honor done me here today
''The menace Of militarism increases.
We free peoples Of the western civili--
zation are banded together to fight this
menace. In this cause we will surely
conquer"
President Wilson was among those
who applauded, loudest as Mr.. Balfour
began speaking. He removed his gloves
and entered into the handclapping with
vigor.
Compares Two Houses.
Mr.. Balfour spoke as follows:
'.Will you permit me to offer my
deepest and sincerest thanks for the
rare honor you have done us by re-
ceivlng us here today? We all feel
this honor but I think none feels it
so closely as one like myself, who has
been for forty years in the service Of
a free assembly like your own.
Il rejoice to think that q member,
a very old member, am sorry to say,
Of the British house of commons has
been received here today with such
Kindness as you have shown to me and
to my friends.
These two assemblies are the great
est and the Oldest Of the free assem-
blies now governing great nations In
~ - he.
two is very different, as the begin
nings Of the British house Of commons
go back to dim historic past and it's
rights have been secured only after
centuries Of struggle.
"Your fate has been a happy one.
You were called into existence at a,
much later stage Of social development.
You came into being complete and per-
fected and all your powers determined
and your place In the constitution So
cured beyond the change Of revolution.
but tho the history Of these two great
is different, each Of them
the great democratic prin-
ciple to which we look forward as q
security to the future peace of the,
world. All the free assemblies now to
be found have been modelled either
upon your practice or ours. or upon
both combined.
"Mr. Speaker, the compliment paid
to the x mission Of Great Britain on
such an occasion Is one not one Of us.
is ever likely to forget"
Wilson Grsets BaIfour.
Mr.. Balfour concluded Sby again
thanking the house and saying he had
q profound sense Of this unique greet,
Ing"
Z Apparently he did not know that
President Wilson was one OF the most.
listeners and whom he ended
his speech went TO the wall Of the
house, where members began passing
by to shake his hand. 49,. ~
Presidents Wilson came down from
the gallery and joined tho line AZ
he appeared on the floor he was
cheered again and took q place Just
ahead OF Representative Jesnette
Rankin.
President Wilson chatted q moment
with Mr.. Balfour ana then shook hands
with Speaker Clark Another reostving
line formed quickly and tie president
greeted many members Ut the house.
Justices Of the supreme court nsad-
3D. By Chief Justice White, occupied
chairs on tho floor. In the diplosuxtic
gallery wsre Brithh, French and Amer
lean officials.
British Labor Leaders cosnins. 4
I British labor leaders cent to the
United States 1t the invitation of the
American alton ,o< Labor 10 pllI-.