The sun., 1917-04-12
ALLIED COUNCIL
TO MEET IN US.
Britain Sending BalfOur
and Viviani Heads French
Commission.
EACH ONCE A PREMIER
Governor Of Bank Of England
Also in Party to Arrive
In Ten Days.
EACH ONCE A PREMIER

WAsHINoroN, April 11.--An allied war
council. with Great Britain represented
by no less a personagc than her Foreign
Secretary, Arthur James Balfour, is
about to be held on American soil. This
conference. unique In American annals,
with the Entente Allies In the common
purpose OF defeating Germany. Its chief
object will be tine merging OF Americas
gigantic resources with those of the ma
tions arrayed against Germany and from
1t results of incalculable benefit to the
common cause in military and
economic sense are expected TO follow.
The coming council was foreshadowed
by an announcement from the State De-
partment to-day that u British commls-
sion headed by MIR. Balfour is expected
to arrive within ten days. In addition
to the Foreign Minister the commission
will include Admiral de Chair Of the
British navy. Gen. Bridges OF the army
and the governor of the Bank of Eng
land. attended by numerous staff.
This is as far as the announcement
made by the State Department goes,
but It was learned authori.atively that
French commission composed OF OF.
Hcials and officers equally distinguished
as the British representatives also will
be in Washington about the same time.
This cunmissiou will be headed by NJ.
Niviani, AT present Minister OF Justice
in the French Cabinet and formerly
Premier
bassadors to Participate.
1t is not known definitely whether
any of the other allied Powers will send
commissioners to Washington. but II is
assumed that owing to the difficulties
in passage and the probable delay the
interests of these governments will be
contided to their resident Ambassadors.
Beyond the statement that the objec.
OF the commission is to discuss gener-
ally questions Of policy connected with
the war. no information was given at
the State Department. II was made
clear, however. that In no way Will the
United States Government depar, from
the traditional policy OF avoiding any
thing in the nature OF political aii-
ances. though of course that does not
exclude null and intimate military and
naval cooperation in the prosecution OF
the war.
While 1t is by no means certain tina:
there will be a joint meeting OF the visit
ing commissions. IL the State Departmen.
should desire TO avoid the appearance
Of AT alliance. there Is certain 10 he con-
cert Of action IN some way.
sought ny the Entente.
The conference Is stated TO have been
sought by the allied leaders themselves
In order TO discuss every phase OF the
war. No attempt will be made to 60
into details or technical considera tions.
as the general policies involved are too
stupendous to permit OF it The calibre
OF the men sent, particularly Foreign
Secretary Balfour. who is remembered
here most warmly for his earnest in
dorsement OF President Wilson's plan for
world federation to insure peace. and
Minister Of Justice Viviani, one OF the
first half dozen statesmen OF France, is
very gratifying to officials. Both men,
II is recalled. have held the post Of
Premier In their respective governments.
One Of the first questions TO be taken
up will be the distribution of the So
600, 900 900 loan to the Allies for which
President Wilson has asked Congress TO
provide. Great Britain has been render
Ing financial aid on the most extensive
scale to several Of her allies and pos
sibly when relieved OF the necessity FOR
continuing such allowances she may be
able to get along with much less assist
arce from America than she would
otherwise require. On the other hand
the countries whose exchange has suf-
fered SO heavily. such as Russia and
Italy, might find welcome relief from
the financial strain by an allotment OF
American funds. which would have a
rea assuring effect upon the standing OF
these countries In the worlds markets.
steady Flow Of Supplies.
The greatest problem before the con.
ference Is stated to be the maintenance
of the flow Of American munitions and
food supplies to Europe. This will be
sought first by naval cooperation to fight
the German submarine. second by con-
struction OF Il huge fleet OF wooden mer-
chantmen to negative It's destructiveness
and third by a ways and means TO In
crease American manufacture and the
Allies ability to pay for the products.
Naval cooperation is understood to
contemplate the policing OF all North and
South American waters by the Amer!-
can navy, allowing the return OF the
British and French vessels engaged in
that work. and the safeguarding by
American ships OF at least part OF the
sea lane to Europe. Whether the latter
will necessitate the actual sending of
American war craft TO the other side ha
not been announced. but II II does ar
rsngements already have been made to
offer the port OF Brest in France as an
American naval base.
The military participation Of the
United States also probe bly, will be
discussed In broad terms. though It ia
realized on all sides that this country
will not attempt to send an army 10
Europe for the present. The military
situation Of this country is wen under.
stood by officials abroad. There is.
however. an intense desire on the part
Of the general public IN the Entente
| countries to see a small division of
American troops at the front,
Change OF u. =. Relations.
The complete reversal OF American
relations to the Entente powers through
the abandonment of neutrality in fayo,
of war will necesstate an entire read.
! justment Of the country's diplomatic sit.
| uation. The Allied policies of blockade
| mails censorship, blacklist and ratjonins
| OF Holland and Scandinavia, originally
| ncessitated by the exigencies OF war ana
| bitterly protested throughout by thi,
country as a neutral. must now be con.
sidered by the United States from ar
entirely new angle. While II In obyio,is
that none of the restrictions built ut
by the Allies will be abandoned II II
very doubtful as to how far this coun
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