The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-11-08

" NGlllNNlO ONs NV - nv N''
,oau mission landed in England yestcr
day on the eve OF the opening Of the
tlrst great war conference in which the
United States will participate
Col. Edward NJ House. President
Wilson's personal friend and adviser,
is the officially designated representa-
tive OF the United States He is ac-
cornpanied by a staff representing every
war agency in the United states, In
Guiding Admiral Benson. chief OF naval
operations and General Bliss, chief OF
staff OF the army.
Other members OF the mission are
Oscar T. Crosby, assistant secretary
It the treasury.
Vance Mccormick, chairman Of the
war trade board
Bainbridge Colby member OF IN,
shipping board,
Dr. Aionro T.. Taylor, representing
the food administration.
Thomas Nelson Perkins, representing
he priority board.
Gordon AuchineoA secretary
viii Begin Soon.
The date and place OF the conference
has not been made public, though the
understanding here is that the sessions
are about to begin
Secretary Lansing in 4 statement
issued last night emphasized the
fact that this gathering Is to be
war conference and nothing else,
charged with mapping out q plan
Of campaign against Germany to
"brhg the conflict to a speedy asd
satisfactory end"
There have beer many indications
hat the conference was called at the
request OF the United States.
Business Is War.
In selecting its representatives the
United States has provided In advance
against becoming involved in any dis
, cusSion OF peace terms or political ques
lions. There is no diplomatic tepre-
sentative with the mission. The busi-
ness at this time Of every member OF
Colonel Houses staff is war making
and there can he no discussion OF any
matters not having to do directly with
he prosecution oi the war
The situation pictured in Secretary
l.ansihg'S Statement shows the real pur
pose OF the conference is TO create In
effect a great general staff tO co-ordi.
nate and direct the energies OF The CO.
belligerenr
The confeIees' duty will be to deal
With military strategy In such
sweeping terms that entire nations
will be but units OF operations In the
great game. The whole fighting
force Of three-fourths OF the world
Is to be welded into one mighty
vsr-makihg machine.
Already mopey' and supplies have
been poured out at the call OF the va
rious nations with lavish hand As
each mission has come to present its
case and state its reeds. its Arguments
have been heard and the resources OF
the United States have been drawn
upon.
Men Are Best Fitted.
The men who compose the American
mission are regarded BY the government
as eminently fitted for their part in th'
task, as each has been personally as.
sooiated with the development OF som'
phase OF the vast mobilization of N,
nations resources since the Unitec
States entered the war Admiral Ben
son has personally supervised and di
rected the expansion OF the navy n,
has had the benefit not only of report
rom Vice. Admiral Sims. commanding
american forces in European waters
hut also the direct information fur
n'htd by Admiral Mayo, commando
OF the Atlantic fleet when the latte
returned i-om Europe, where he wen
as the personal representative OF IN,
president
Our Navy Against Germany
There have been indications that IN,
Washington government was anxious I,
now what might he possible IN th
way Of greater naval activity againS
The Germans On his return, Admita
MAYO va no frequent conference will
Ndmlral henson and members ui IN
navy general hoard Admiral Ben,o
has tAe courcn,u, Of American nava
nIhnion a, 90 the course deemed vis,
No hint of what that opinion is. how
evet has been permitted 10 leak on,
Mn l0DC WlIclT