Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-23

Washington, April 23.-The Ameri-
can capital yesterday extended a sim
pie but heartfelt welcome to the Brit
ish minister for foreign affairs. Arthur
J. Balfour. and the other members OF
the British commission which has
come to Washington as Mr.. Balfour
expressed it, Ito make cooperation
easy and effective between those who
are striving to bring about lasting
peace by the only means that can
secure it-namely. q successful war.
The weather was perfect in Wash
ington, clad in the light green foliage
Of the season. never % looked for dsts.nea,e more
when the special train which had
brought the distinguished visitors
from the north drew into the union
station. Everywhere bunting few In
the light breeze, mainly the Amert-
can national colors. The Brittsh union
jack and the French tricolor were in
evidence in many places. but the local
the public demand for them.
Notsa Festive .Aflair. a -7ss7
There was no music to greet the
visitors, the original plan, Including
the presence Of the marine band, hav-
ing been amended to conform to the
view expressed by President Wilson
and Secretary Lansing that this was
q grave and serious event and not to
be lightly treated or regarded as
social and festive affair.
On the plaza and overlapping the
great building at either wing were
gathered some 5000 people waiting
patiently Tor a glimpse Of the nations
guests, restrained at a proper distance
by hundreds Of policemen and by two
troops Of cavalry.
Detectives Swarm Placo
Within the station lines had been
drawn separating the travelling public
from the space across which the visit
ing party was to pass on the way from
the train shed to the presidents room.
All Of the police captains OF the
double line as q guard Of honor and
to keep back intruders. Two score
newspaper men were the only unoffi-
cial persons permitted in this section
of tho station. Detectives swarmed
everywhere through the crowds and
at various angles where any danger
might lurk. Altogether the precau-
tons taken to insure the safety Of the
nations visitors exceeded anything
ever known in the history Of the dis
trict
At o'clock the train bearing the
\ British commissioners and their at
taches drew into the station. Aside
from the guards only a very few per-
sons had been permitted to enter the
train shed. These included Secretary
Lansing, Frank l.. Polk, counsellor tor
the state department.; VIM. Phillips.
assistant secretary Of state: Hugh
cation at Brussels and several other
state department officials. T.
Representing the British govern
mont were Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, tho
British ambassador; Collville Barclay.
counsellor for the embassy: Thomas
Spring-Rice. Mr.. Hohler. Lieutenant
Colonel Murrough O'Brien. Commo-
dore Guy Gaunt, secretaries and at
taches Of the embassy.
Balfour Presented.
A. the, special train stopped Mr..
Balfour descended. hat in hand and
wa. Immediately presented by the
ing. Tho two exchanged hearty
hand clasp and chatted for a few mo-
ment's while the remainder Of the
party emerged from the train and
ranged themselves along the side to
= permit Of q photograph being taken
by an official photographer; the only
one which is to be permitted accord
then moved to tho station. Mr.. Bal
four walked uncovered with head
erect, smiling his greetings to the
fandclapping and cheering Of the
party that had gathered within the
concourse. Tho party passed into the
presidents room 1T the entrance of
which q number Of automobiles had
been brought up in line for their re-
cephon.
In the first car were Mr.. Balfour,
Secretary Lansing and an army ofei-
4. cor - an escort. In the second were
the British ambassador, Counsellor
Polk ana Counsellor Barclay. In the
third Major General Bridges, Lieut..
ard A. Wood. ana Commodore Gaunt.
In the NTH were Lord CunclifSs, A.
sistant Secretary Phillips and. Sir
Richard Crawford. AZ
In the sixth Sir Brio Drummond,
Assistant Secretary Long. Mr.. Hohlsf
fcnn<iv,,Aa ~, aA