New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-23
In, Tie Associated Pressl

Washington, April 22.-More and
more il has become evident that the
commission. aside from any technical
aid it may tender to this country, has
come over for general and broad un-
Outstanding Of the whole American
point of view. without as yet having
outlined a specific programme IN It's
own mind. The commissioners express
a keen desire TO understand the funda-
mental American policy, to learn at
first hand for what exact ends the
country is fighting, and to weigh the
measure of American cooperation and
support
In sense the United States repre-
sents an element of uncertainty to the
Entente Powers. The long months of
diplomatic controversy over Allied
polcies and Of doubt about American
reaction to German autocracy have
made officials Of the nations anxious to
come together for personal conferences
of the most general nature. II is also
fully realized abroad that the United
States, while dedicated to the immedi-
ate task of crushing German militar-
ism, may have somewhat different
views about trade policies during The
war and after, the treatment Of neut-
rails, the basis of a just peace and
plans for the world reconstruction TO
follow.
Await American Lead
II is thought probable, therefore,
that the direction the conferences are
TO take will be given largely to Pres
ident Wilson and Secretary Lansing
and that the British delegates will
gladly welcome whatever lead is given
them. In that way, it is thought, they
best can obtain the American view
point, and harmonise any Allied poll
ces which seem inconsistent with
Americas ideas.
Calm Impresses Visitors
The various members of the COM
mission. including Mr. Balfour him
self, have brought with them much oil
the atmosphere of quiet suffering and
pain which has afflicted England dur
ing the last two and half years.
Even IN the few hours we have
been IN the United States" Mr.. Bal
four said. Eve have been struck with
the atmosphere Of calm and peaceful
ness which naturally prevails. We
feel ourselves far removed here from
the stress and horrors that Germany
has thrust on Europe, much as many
of our people felt distant from France
in the early days of the war. The
United States, fortunately, probably
will never experience the human
losses that France for so long, and
ourselves during the past months,
have experienced.
Nevertheless" Mr.. Balfour added,
81 doubt II you can foresee what
fundamental changes the war will
bring into your ordinary life. We in
England look back with amazement at
the vital changes during our Lass
thirty months of mobilization, and
imagine that many Of the changes we
have gone through, so sslutary even
for themselves alone, will be repeated
here"
Mr. Balfour, while unwilling TO
speculate on what form American par.
ticipation in the war might take, said
he had no doubt that Americas ef-
forts would astonish the world, par
ticulsrly Germany.
How Trip Was Made
with the Balfour party safely In
WashinPton the State penartment hes
permitted publication OF the details
Of the long trip by way of Halifax,
Vanceboro. Ne; Portland and Wor-
cester, which wac surrounded with Sc
crecy and precautions never before
eauRlled in this country.
The British commissioners sailed
from England April IL on u fast cruiser
protected In every possible way from
German spies. who might have got out
word to lurking submarines. The voy-
age was entirely unsyentful, however,