Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-26
BRITISH MISSION
LEAVES US. AFTER
SIX WEEKS VISIT
This Country Knows Allies
Needs and They Know
Americas Resources.
PLACED ON Cl. nS:R BASIS
OF FRIENDSHIP THAN EVER
Both Sides. as Result of Confer
ences. Gain Trucr Perspective
of Future Situation.
NO BINDING TREATIES MADE
Most Far-RearhinS Understandings
Arrived ~ Arc in Regard
to Trade Matters.
IRv Nssnriateh rrcss.I

~ hssnriated Prcss.
W.\SIIlNGTON. May .a-.Tho British
war mission left American territory
and crossed int" Canada to-day, after
six weeks OF conferences which havc
reached into every i.hasc of American
life and arc expected vitality :, aztec.
the future OF this country. If not of
the world.
This country knows tho allies needs
in detail. and in The order of their
Importance: tho allies know .America's
resources, and the degree Of their
availability.
There have been no formal agree
mcnts or binding treaties
Much that has been tentatively
agreed upon caunOt finally be put into
effect until Legislation has been passed
by Congress. AS result of tho mis-
sion's visit. Great Britain and tho
United States Undoubtedly have been
placed on closer basis of friendship
than cvcl''Deforo
The immediate diplomatic results
| have been to lcnEthen tho British view
| from a ncar-Sichtcd absorption In the
immediate war needs to "A broader con
sidcration OF world reconstruction af-
forwards. Similarly. tho American
viewpoint has been forcshortcncd from
absorption in the future to tho immc-
diate pressing emergency. Both sides
feel that they have gained Il truer per-
spcctivc.
PRESIDENT WILSON'S PLAN
DISCUSSED INFORMALLY
President Wilson's plan for league
OF nations has been discussed informal
ly, but not concluSively.
No definite DIPLOMATS dccissions arc
known To have been made. ticrnany's
plan for a great Middle European en-
pirc has been discussed. and i'm this
connection, RuSsia'S opposition to con
quest or indemnity is not considered
antaEonistic, as all tho changes pro-
posed arc on tho basis of nationality
or the return of lost provinces.
The restoration Of rolaud and the
Irish and Mexican questions also have
been discussed
The most farrcachine understand
ings arrived at have boon in trade mat
tcrs. In general. the United states will
give the allies preferential treatment
in commerce.
y joint allied buying commission is
expected To result from the conferences
This Viii assur. uniform prices for all
the allies, prevent cXtortion because of
competition and distribute supplies
scientifically and economically.
The shipping problem has been the
most serious of all. The British left
y" d"finitc diplomatic decisions are
struction OF tonnage by submarines APP
preached the point of fatality. Tho
american building program has been
correspondinsly expedited and one of
Englan'ls greatest shipping experts
summoned across the water to supply
greater details than the departed mis-.
sion possessed.
DEFINITE UNDERSTANDING
TO COVER SALE OF WHEAT
\ dennitc understanding has been
reached to cover both American and
Canadian wheat for sale to the allied
wheat executive. but the details will
not he given out ut once. because OF
the effect II would have OF the market.
Munition control and purchase will
he centralized through the allied buy
ing committee.
In finance. the mission has secured
government loans To England at 81.
per cent. or at cost TO this government
and Il saving OF " to per cent to
the iIritish.
The military results Of the mission
are involved With those OF the French
mission aud the plans o; the American
general STAFF. Undoubtedly the French
were eagerly responsible for the dcci-
Sion 10 send at once 10 Franco an en-
peGiiionnry force OF about 1000 men,
Il division OF nine regiments. railroad Z
engineers and six base hospitals.
The British visitors were able to
clear away many doubts as to training
The naval results are probably least
conspicuous as the American navy was
much nearer war basis. American
destroyers already were assembled
ready to go abroad when the missioa I,
arrived.
The mission found II necessary to q
leave number of its experts here AZ M
attaches of the embassy to help handle
the enormous amount OF new work de-
veloped. ss