The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-23
BALFOUR STARTS
conference ON
WAR MEASURES
British Foreign Minister and
Party Arrive at Washington
for Deliberations
SECRETARY OF STATE
FIRST TO BE VISITED
Important Commission to Formu-
late Comprehensive Scheme
Of Cooperation

Washington, April 23.-British For
eign Minister 'Balfour and members
OF the British high commission, here
to discuss conduct of the war, began
their first official day in Washington,
with round of calls, the first Of
which was at the sta:e department.
Mr.. Balfour, accompanied by the
British ambassador, Sir Cecil Spring
Rice, drove from the mansion which
has been given over to him, to the
state department building, and paid
a formal call to Secretary Lansing.
The British ambassador and Hugh
l.. Gibson of the state department,
who has been detailed as Mr.. Bal.
fours aide, remained with Secretary
Lansing and the British foreign min
lister only short time and then with
drew, leaving the two high officials
together. They at once plunged into
a conference.
Sees Wilson.
,Balfour and Lansing next crossed
the avenue separating the state de-
partment building from the White
House and were received at the eX-
ecutive mansion by President Wilson.
As Balfour passed into the White
House grounds the Silent sentinelS"
OF woman suffragists waived their
banners. The British foreign minis
ter smiled.
The army officers British mission,
headed by Major General G. T. NJ.
Bridges, was received at the war de-
partment by Secretary Baker and the
naval delegation, headed by Admiral
de Chair, was received by Admiral
Benson, chief OF operations.
Great Britain's high commissioners
to the international war council, to
begin in Washington next week, set
foot on American soil Saturday and
now are on their way to the capital.
Arthur James Balfour, secretary Of
state for foreign affairs Of. the en-
pire. formerly premier, and often call
ed the dean of the worlds elder
statesmen, was the central figure of
q party which includes some of Great
Britain's most prominent men.
Balfour Thanks America.
With genial smile playing over
his features, he consented to brief
interview, warmly expressing his ap-
probation of all the United States
has done as a neutral in charitab BILE
and relief work in Belgium and in
German prison camps. His gratifica-
ton that England and the United
States are now allied for common
purpose and his conviction this coun-
try. in it's war efforts, will astound
the world, particularly Germany.
To Toco-operate In War. .... ~. .
The object of the commission, Mr..
Balfour said, is ITO make co-opera-
ton easy and effective between those
who are striving with all their power
, to bring about lasting peace by the
only means that can procure it, name
ly, a successful war; .....
Quotes From Wilson.
"Your president, in most apt and
vivid phrase" Mr.. ,Balfour added,
has proclaimed the world must be
made safe for democracy. That self
governing communities are not to be
treated as negligible simply because
they are small; that the ruthless
domination of one unscrupulous pow
er imperils the future of civilization
and the liberties of mankind are
truths of political ethics which the
bitter experience of war is burning
into the souls of all freedom-loving
peoples" g.. -
Received With High iHonor.
England's leading statesmen, hav-
ing safely evaded the German sub
marines and mines which sent Lord
Kitchener to his death, were received
with the highest honors as guests of
the American people when they ar
rived at a place in America which
cannot be named
A delegation of state, war and navy
department officials welcomed them in
the name of the government and set
out with them to the capital for what
is admittedly the most vital confer
ence in American history.
Greeting 10 Cordial.
The commission was received with
the utmost simplicity and cordiality
and with every recognition of the
fact that Great Britain had given of
her very best 1t was said, indeed.
no foreign minister has left England
for the length of time that Mr.. Bal
four will be away: since the congress
OF Vienna. century ago.
The formal welcome was extended
by Third Assistant Secretary of State
Breckenridge Long, through the pres,
entation to Mr.. Balfour of letter of
greeting from Secretary Lansing,
which the British statesman acknowl-
edged with equal simplicity, while
British and American officials mingled
together.
Special ls Waiting.
A special train of five cars, which
had been waiting with steam up and
crew aboard for flve days, at once
got under way.
Double protection had been afford
ed to all bridges and tunnels and
every mile Of the track had been gone
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