The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-25
mo ALLIANCES
/ ASKED HOSTILE
TO TRADITIONS
Arthur Balfour Voices Apprecia-
tion of Allies for Americas
Entry Into War
URGES WHOLE-HEARTED
COOPERATION IN CONFLICT
Chief Aim to Deal Death Blow
to Prussian Autocracy and
Militarism

Washington, April 25.-Arthur
James Balfour, British foreign secre-
tary, stated today that the allied gov
ernments, completely convinced of
Americas whole.hearted conservation
toward the common end of destroy
ing Prussian militarlsm, would not
think Of asking this country to de.
part from it's traditional policies or
enter into any formal alliance which
might prove embarrassing.
"Our confidence in the alliance and
the assurances of this government" }"
Mr.. Balfour said ''is not based on
such shallow considerations as arise
from treaties. No treaty would in
crease our unbounded confidence
that the United States, having come
into the war, will see it through to
the great end we all hope for.'
Mr.. Balfour after his first two days
in the American capital, consented to
an interview to express his deep graf
itude for the warmth of his reception.
and his conviction that Americas
services in the war could not be en-
aggerated. He spoke with deepest
feeling of the losses already exper,
fenced in France and England and of
the gratitude felt in both countries at
the decision of the United States to
enter tho war.
Financially France needs loans OF
$10O,O0O,O0O monthly to be spent in
the United States. Detailed official
information on this subject will be
submitted to the American govern
ment at the conferences to be held in
Washington.
Mr.. Viviani gave the following in
terview to the Associated Press cor
respondent. who accompanied the
mission from France:
every American will understand
that in Difference to the illustrious
president of the United States, j re
serve first word for him. ! will have
occasion to see you again and tell the
American nation, through you, in q
more complete manner, the emotions
with which the representatives OF
France greet, in the name of their
country, the first democracy of the
world with which France shares the
same ideals.
(Signed) "Viviani."
Get First Glimpse Of America.
The commissioners got thcir first
glimpse of America at daylight this
morning. A flotilla Of destrOyers met
the former French passenger liner
which brought the visitors over, and
the convoy at II o'clock last night,
about 100 miles at sea.
The French and the American YES
sells exchanged signals and then all
continued toward the Virginia capes
Not light was exchanged during the
maneuver. AT dawn the tlotilla and
its guest we're met by an American
cruiser, which led the way into Hamp-
ton Roads.
All the commissioners were on the
bridge of their boat with the French
admiral commanding shortly after 8
o'clock to see the entrance. The day
was magnificent. As the Roads came
into view, Marshal Joffre turned to
an American naval officer serving as
pilot, and said:
"What a wonderful scene. i love
the sunshine. 1t reminds me OF my
own cOuntry-the south OF France.
Ships Hoist French Flags.
Every American ship In the harbor
hoisted the French tri-color and the
band of a warship played the Star
Spangled Banner. Marshal Joffre and
the military and naval members stood
at salute until the last note had float
ed across the water, while the civilian
members. stood with barred heads. I'm
mediately after came the French ma
tional anthem, which was saluted in
a similar manner.
The French commission. headed by
General Joffre and Former Premier
Viviana, landed at the Washington
navy yard this afternoon.