New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
Lord Reading
Here; Says War
Crisis Is Near
Next Few Months. Mos,
Critical, Declares Head of
British Mission

AN ATLANTIC PORT. Feb. 9.-The
Earl of Reading, British High Commits
sioner and Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentary on Special Mission
to the United States, reached this port
tonight on IA British vessel heavily
conveyed by British warships. The
Countess Of Reading and staff of dis
tnguished officials of the mission ac-
companied Lord Reading.
Lord Reading declared, in state
ment issued before he set foot ashore
that the next few months were "per-
haps the most critical of the war" He
stated that the British people were
unanimous in their Endorsement of
Allied war aims. as stated by President
Wilson and Lloyd George, and were al
determined as ever to carry on the
struggle to the end no matter what
sacrifices might be entailed.
Lord Reading expressed his deep
sympathy with the relatives of the men
who lost their lives on the Tuscania
and paid his respects to the dead as
those who had made the supreme sacri-
fee
Tribute to Tuscania Dead
Lord Reading said:
"My first thought upon arrival is of
the loss of life on the Tuscania. re-
ported to us while We Were at sea
May l pay mK very respectful tribute
of honor to the gallant men who have
made the supreme sacrifice for their
found sympathy with their relatives?
ri am, indeed glad to find myself
cnce again, and for the third time since
the beginning of the war. in America
1t is barely three months ago since
sailed for England. and | return this
time charged with many and varied
duties, which should scarcely have
had the courage to undertake had / not
know from past experience that my
government could implicitly rely upc.l
the cordial goodwill Of the American
people and their complete cooperation
with the Allies in all measures neces-
sary for the vigorous prosecution OF
the war.
~ am sure you will fully understand
tina. I cannot make any statement in
my official capacity until ! have been
received by your President. Moreover
l am not yet acquainted with what has
happened since ! left England on Feb
ruary /. | may nevertheless be per
mitted to say that the recent pro
nouncements upon war aims of you,
Minister which are substantially in ac-
cord, and arc accer.ed by the Allies
have been received with complete
unanimity by the British people.
Says Germans Aim to Conquer
"You know how vastly the answers
made by the German government have
differed from their professions when
entering into the negotiations at Brest-
Litovsk But these utterances have
now left no shadow Of doubt that the
German government is waging this wal
for conquest Of nations and territory
and for military domination OF the
world.
"There can be but one answer 70,
the free and democratic nations united
in the struggle against the common
enemy. 1t is to continue to put forth
all their powers and to employ all their
resources to resist this attempt at mill
tary despotsm and finally to bring
about a just and lasting peace. Such a
peace alone will give security against
wanton aggression and the violation of
treaties and will insure liberty and jus
tlce for all nations.
"Let me Impress upon you that when
left England the determination to
carry the war through to the end was
are ready to face the critical months
before us--perhaps the most critical of
the war--with grim tenacity. They are
prepared to endure whatever suffering
or privation or sacrifice may be neces-
sary to obtain the only possible con-
clusion of this war That the Ameri-
can people are equally prepared to
make every effort to bring about this
result is the surest guarantee that the
cause is just and the aim is right
eous."
Remains Aboard Ship
Lord Reading and the members of
his party stayed on board ship last
night, believing that the accommod
tions afforded them there were better
Among Lord Readings staff were
Major General Z. D. Swinton. Sir
Grimwood Mears, Major c. K. Gran
ford Stuart, Charles Hubert Montgom-
cry, C. V. O.. of the British Foreign
Office; j. B. Brunyate. of the council
of the Secretary of State for India,
and w. B. Dawkins.
Sir Grmwood Mears shortly after
the outbreak of the war was placed in
charge of the investigation into the
German atrocities in Belgium. He COL
lected the greater part of the evidence
which was ultimately laid before the
Committee on Alleged German Out
RACES, presided over by Lord Bryce.
Later, he wrote reply to the German
White Book, which had eulogized the
conduct of the German troops.
Welcome was extended to Lord and
Lady Reading ana members of the COM
mission, when the steamship reached
it's pier, by delegation of prominent
British officials already here. LieuteA-
ant Colonel Sir William Wiseman, Bart,
attached to the staff as laison officer
between tho British War Cabinet and