Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-04-24
AWAIT FRENCH FOR
WAR CONFERENCES
In Meantime Lord Balfour and
Visiting British Get Ac-
quainted in U. S.
INFORMAL MEETINGS HELD
Army and Navy Officials Dis
cuss Plans With English;
Harmony Is Seen.

WASHINGTON. April 2S.-Great
Britain's war commissioners spent to-
day in the American capital receiving
every mark Of honor and courtesy
within the gift of the government
Foreign Secretary Arthur James
Balfour formally presented by Secre-
tary Lansing to President Wilson in
the morning. was the guest of honor
tonight at the most notable dinner
given ut the White House i'm genera
ton. During the day he was presented
to Nice-President Marshall at the capt
tel, lunched with Ambassador Spring
Rice. visited the French embassy and
received cards or calls from many
prominent persons. including former
Secretary Bryan.
Many Conferences.
Meanwhile Lieutenant General
Bridges and other British army Off
GERS called on Secretary Baker, Major
General Scott, chief of staff and war
department officials, Admiral De
Chair and his naval aides called on
Secretary Daniels, Admiral Benson
and other navy department officials
and Lord Cuncliffe, governor of the
Bank Of England, called on Secretary
McAdoo at the treasury department.
The conferences SO far with the en-
thusiasm that the people Of the capi-
tai have shown and the courtesics and
cordiality extended by the officials
have taken the British commission
completely by surprise Mr.. Balfour,
after three quarters of an hours con-
marked enthusiastically that his trip
had been justified by that meeting
alone.
Pleased With Welcome.
All day, members of the commission
exclaimed over the warmth of the
welcome, especially on their arrival
Yesterday. As If to make it more per-
feet. Washington just at this time is
blossoming into the full richness Of
its spring dress
While no formal negotiations were
entered into today, the preliminary
conferences on all hands We're stated
not to have been wholly perfunctory,
but rather TO have laid an excellent
basis of Acquaintance and understand
ing for the detailed conferences T.
follow. President Wilson and Mr..
halfour are known to have touched
ir such way as TO give each an in
sight into the others personality and
viewpoint ard to have 2sta blished an
atmosphere of confidence and concord
between them.
The official prediction was made
that no formal conferences would be-
gin until the arrival of the French
commissioners, expected in the next
few days. Ground work will be laid
Il
'roment the French arrive nesotia-
tions may begin in earnest. The Brit.
ish visitors held an organization
meeting at tie embassy today and
Mr.. Balfour plans to spend tomorrow
morning mlpping out the division OF
work and arranging fdn the proper
British and American officials to
met for the tasks before them. An
ether score of subordinate British OF
ficials are expected shortly on a mer-
chant vessel.
Seek Cooperation.
The British commission announced
that its purpose in coming to this
country was purely one of co-opera-
ton. service and gratitude and that
from now on the direction Of the con
fcrences would rest largely with the
American government.
Mr.. Balfour, it was stated, will
make several 0ubl;C statements during
his stay rs 10 the f,nglish point Of
View and will attempt to remove any
misconceptions he may find existing
Vice President Marshall invited him
10 address the senate, but 1t Is i'm
PROBABLE he will appear before con-
gress unless perhaps with French
Minister of Justice Niviani. Arrange
rents are being irade for MIN to sec
members of the press Wednesday
General Hridgcs will be interviewed
TOMORROW and Lord Cunliffe on Thurs.