Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-23
British Foreign Minister
and Associates Appear
in Washington.
FORMAL CONFERENCE
BEGINS WEDNESDAY
1aIfour Visits Both Secretary Lansing
and President-Assoeiate Received
by Secretary Baker at War Depart
ment-Main Object Of Commission 10
to Advise America How to Avoid
6ritain's Mistakes.


Washington, April 2S.-British For
eign Minister Balfour and his associ-
ates began their first official day in
first of which vas at the state de-
partment.
Mr.. Balfour. accompanied by Sir
Cecil Spring Rice. drove to the state
department and paid formal call on
Secretary Lansing. The British am
bassador and Hugh L. Gibson. of the
state department, who has been de-
tailed as Mr. Balfours aide, remained
with Secretary Lansing and the Brit
ish foreign minister only a short
time and then withdrew, leaving the
two high officials together.
Tomorrow the visitors will be enter
tained with al honor tbs nation can
show to guests Of such high rank.
Received BY Wilson.
The conference between Mr.. Balfour
and MI. Lansing was not prolonged
and at it's conclusion the two men left
the building to cross over to the White
House, where the British foreign min
lister was received by President Wilson.
s AS Mr.. Balfour left the state depart
ment several hundred employees ap-
plauded and cheered loudly. Mr. Bal
four acknowledged the greetings by
bowing and smiling. He and the sec
retary Of state crossed the avenue and
Just before II o'clock passed into the
White House, where President Wilson,
surrounded by a party OF army ana
navy aides, was waiting.
AS Mr.. Balfour entered the gates the
silent sentinels Of the woman's suf-
fraRe corps waved their banners and
the British foreign minister smiled
broadly.
Baker Receives Army Officers.
The army officers at the same time
were arriving at the army department
to call on Secretary Baker. General
Bridges was first escorted to the Of
fee Of Major General Scott. The
British officers were attired in field
uniforms Of khaki, while the American
officers were in the full dress uniform
of blue.
While Mr.. Balfour was at the White
House, the British commissioners,
headed by Admiral De Chair. began
arriving to call on Secretary Daniels.
They were accompanied by Rear Ad-
miral Fletcher and other naval Off
GERS.
The navy delegation meanwhile hao
been received by Admiral Benson, chief
of operations and left cards for As.
sistant Secretary Roosevelt, who was
out of the city.
While Mr.. Bafour and the president
we're together the officers of the Brit
ish army and navy concluded their
visits at tho war and navy depart
ments.
The presidents reception of Mr. Bal
four lasted three-quarters Of an hour.
At 11:45 Mr.. BaHour left the White
House. and accompanied by Secretary
Lansing drove to the capital to meet
Vice President Marshall.
Conference 10 Secret.
After the formal greetings the presi-;
dent and Mr.. Balfour entered the blue
room with Secretary Lansing and re-
NAMED in conversation for more than
a half hour. The military aides were
not present at the conference.
As the commission left the White
House a wild west show parade was
passing with a steam calliope scream
ing "The Marseillaise' and God Save
the King" Somebody in the crowd
three cheers for Mr.. BaHour
ana the crowd roared willing re.
sponae. Later he drove to the French
embassy for luncheon.
Conferences Begin Wednesday.
II was made known by members Of
the commission that today and tomnr.
row are to be devoted to social fore
malities and that the stage Of confer
ences IL not expected to be reached
before wednesday. All the attaches
Of the commission have not yet reached
Washington.
Meanwhile tho French commission IL
expected but 1t was saAd today there
were no plans for joint conferences at
this stage, altho there undoubtedly
would be some later on. The CONFER
ences are not expected to be prolonged
and it was said that after the prin-
cipal subjects were gone over 1t was
probable that Mr.. Balfour and some
OF the other commissioners might re-
turn to EngMnd.
To Advise Against Error.
It was emphasized again today that
the controlling motive Of the British
commissions visit to the UAited states
was one OF service ana courtesy to
the American people with Wow to
snhghtening the govera,ansnt ON the
price 0reaA HriGain pa&&s - one Hsglp