The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-24
Foreign Minister Balfour Ac-
cepts Urgent Invitation to
Address u. S. Senate
COMMISSIONERS ARE
RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT
Dinner and Reception Attend
ed by Cabinet and Other
High Officials at White
House Last Night

Washington April 23.-Formal
presentation of Foreign Minister Bal
four and the British commissioners
here with him was completed tonight
with dinner and reception at the
White House The winner. in the
lcommission's honor. was attended by
President Wilson's entire cabinet,
Chief Justice White, OF the United
States supreme court; the advisory
council OF the council of national de-
Tense; William Denman. chair
man of the United States shipping
board. Secretary to the President Tu-
multy, and Miss Helen Woodrow
Bones, a cousin OF the president
The conferences preliminary TO Sc
rious discussion of problems to be
worked out as to Americas part in
the European war will be begun to-
morrow. officials announced tonight
however. that there would he no de-
tailed discussion Of plans until the
arrival of the French commission,
headed by former Premier Fiviani.
who were named recently to come to
the United States,
Nav Address senate.
While awaiting the arrival OF the
French leaders the British commits
sorers will lay the ground work for
their part In assisting American OFF,
.
prosecute the war MI Balfour. il
was stated officially late today, may
address the American senate tomor-
row or next day upon the war.
Following the appearance of the
British foreign minister at the Capt.
toll today where he went to pay an
official call upon Vice President Mar
shall members Of the senate urged
him to deliver an address to the SEN
n s;yt s. ~
The matter was placed in the hands
of Assistant Secretary OF State Phil
II lips. who is expected to arrange for
Mr. Balfour TO deliver an address
early this week.
The British foreign minister was
! deeply impressed" during his official
presentation 30 President Wilson to-
day.
/ Initial discussion OF the part the
commission will play in the Ameri-
! can war plans took place then. II
was stated tonight that President Will
son was Itold that the commission
came TO serve and give complete in
formation as to the war secrets OF
the allies, not to offer suggestions or
make requests
Calls on lansing.
| The foreign minister went TO the
state department AZ 10:45 O'Clock this
| morning Tor MS Offtclal call upon Sec
Rotary of State Lansing. Secreta ry
Lansing then accom- panied him to the
White House at u o'clock, where he
was presented To President Wilson,
/ The presentation took place in the
blue room with no one present ex-
cept the president. Mr. Balfour and
Secretary Lansing Mr.. Balfour' s
STAFF waited in an anteroom, The
conference lasted forty five minutes,
after which Mr.. Balfour with his
party was driven to the Capitol TO
meet Nice-President Marshall
! Meanwhile the naval and military
members of the Ralfour party paid
! their respects To the leaders of the
| American navy and army Major
! General Bridges was presented to Sec
Rotary of War Baker bv Chief OF
Stan General Hugh L. Scott: and Ad-
miral William +, Benson. chief of ma
wal operations. presented Admiral
De Chair to Secretary OF the Navy
| Daniels.
| Lord Cunliffe, governor of the
Bank of England. also was presented
10 Secretary OF the Treasury McAdoo
when they informally discussed gem
eral plans for distributing among the
entente allies the $4,000. 100000 which
this government is TO lend them
The first matters pertaining to the