New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-28
President Gives Premier
and Balfour His Views
on British Naval Power
Meets Leaders of
Three Big Parties
Unveils Portrait of W ash.
ington and Everywhere
Is Acclaimed by Crowds

LONDON, Dec 27-To-day, except
for the banquet at Buckingham Pal
ace this evening. was chiefly a working
day with President Wilson. Five
hours we're taken up by two confer
ences with David Lloyd George, the
British Prime Minister, and Arthur J.
Balfour, Foreign SECRETARY, on peace
problems. This was the fuiillmcnt Of
the main purpose OF the President 5
pilgrimage to London.
For three hours in the morning
President Wilson sat with Mr.. Lloyd
George and the Foreign Minister be
fore the open fireplace in the Presi-
dents apartment in Buckingham Pal
ace. The second meeting was in the
Cabinet room of the Premier's resi-
dence in Downing Street The two
sessions were broken by luncheon.
at which Mr.. Lloyd George gathered
dozen leading British statesmen Of
tlfc Conservative, Liberal and Labor
parties.
Conference Satisfactory
President Wilson's conferences with
the British statesmen are described in
American quarters as having been very
satisfactory. The general aspects of
the fourteen points ii the Presidents
peace programme were discussed.
No ono particular phase was taken
up, but the whole discussion was a gen
eral one. Ne official announcements
were made of the results.
1t was learned that q great deal OF
prograsse was made in making clear
some phases of the Presidents points
which are uppermost in the minds Of
the British, principally a. regards the
question OF British naval supremacy.
There was a picturesque incident
after Lloyd Georges luncheon when
President Wilson unveiled portrait
Of George Washington, presented to
the Premicr's residence by Lord Abe
marie.
Big Crowds Await Him
The interest Of Londoncfs in Pres
dent Wilson continues high. Crowds
outside the palace and IL Downine
Street awaited his coming ali day, not
withatanding the rain, and cheered hi
every appearance. Each time they saw
President Wilson, they demanded a
speech, but each time the Presidcn'
shook his head negatively.
The newspapers to-day were filled
with tributes to President Wilson,
which undoubtedly have been the cause
of a heightening in his personal pop
ularity in London.
1t is expected that another great
gathering viii witness the progress of
the President to the Guildhall to-mor-
row 20 receive the address of the Lord
Mayor.
Conference Entirely Informal
At Buckingham Palace, before the
luncheon. President Wilson, the Prime
Minister and the Foreign Secretary met
III one of the rooms Of the President
suite before a cheerful. open fire, with
no secretaries or documents to lend
any air of formality TO the discussion.
1t was an entirely informal conference.
intended to develop the most intimat,
aspects of the situation
The President did great deal of the
talking, and i was said afterward that
nothing de.eloped TO show that any
substantial difference in principle or
n fundamentals existed.
The discussion ranged about the
freedom CT the seas, the league of ma
tons and the attendant proposition
Of the reduction Of ornaments. None
o. these three subjects was discussed
specifically or by itself, AS they are
considered inseparabe in the fnal
analysis, 50 the first purpose of the con
ference was TO develop what may be
tho differences of opinion to the point
where they may be clarified.
Await Two Speeches
There may an inkling Of the results
attained at to-day's conferences in the
addresses which President Wilson will
uellNer tO-Horro" m tAe Nuliuhall and
on Monday at Manchester. About all
that can be said at this time it is in
dicated from American sources. is tina.
the President found the spirit of ac
cemmodation and open-mindcd consid
Grafton which he expected.
ro-day's conferences are considered
as undoubtedly the most important