New-York tribune., 1921-11-09
Farley Means
Better World.
Says Balfour
Head of Britain's Delega-
tion Is Optimistic as
He Arrives at Quebec on
Journey 10 Washington

QUEBEC, Nov s.-Belief that the
Washington arms conference could do
much to produce a better world was
expressed by Arthur J. Balfour, former
British Prime Minister, when he. ar
rived here to-day as acting head Of the
British delegation.
"I don't believe this disarmament
conference at Washington can do
everything" Mr. Balfour said. II an,
personally confident 1t can do much.
am confident of the steps that are
being gradually made to produce
better and improved world--an interna-
tional world This step will be of all
history the greatest. In that hope I
go to Washington
Mr.. Balfour led the British delepa-
tion across the Atlantic in the absence
OF Premier Lloyd George, who was
detained in England, but who hopes
to attend the conference later. The
delegates were given warm welcome
when they landed late to-day from the
Empress of France, which had brought
them from Liverpool.
Going Through Weehawken
They left at once for Montreal and
Will proceed to Washington tomorrow
by way Of Albany and Weehawken. N. J.
ne delegation expected to arrive in
Washington Thursday morning. It
numbered twenty-one persons and in
Guided Lord Cavan, commander Of the
British force in Italy during the war;
SIR Maurice Hankey, chief Of the Cab
met secretariat; Sir John Jordon, Air
Marshal Higgins, Flight Lieutenant
Arnold, Commander Moore, Captain
Burgess and NJ. S. Lampson.
Mr. Balfour told newspaper men that
he wanted TO see President Harding
and Secretary of State Hughes before
even forming any opinion of the con-
ference as a whole.
Il am, therefore, confined in any re-
marks l may make, he said, "to mat
ters which are little outside the ac-
tuai work upon which we shall be en-
gagged.
You must understand the situation
and perfectly apprehend that a state
must be Of very little value. If it is
of any real interest it would be ex-
tremely mischievous A conference
means an exchange of ideas and, if
necessary, the modification of ideas. If
were to express them before the con-
ference it would be likely to render
it futile and very likely do more harm
than good. | want to see those with
: whom am to work and especially
those who are to guide our deliber-
ations. I mean President Harding and
Secretary of State Hughes
Mr.. Balfour was welcomed by Sir
Arthur Willert, publicity officer of the
British delegation, formerly a corre-
spondent of "The London Tines'' in
Washington, and Maurice Peterson,
Secretary of the British Embassy at
Washington, who will act as the for
mer Premier's secretary. Lord Cavan
was welcomed by Lieutenant General
Landry and the officers of the 9th
(Quebec) Military District.
War Problems Remain
Mr. Balfour recalled his visit in 1917,
Temarking that circumstances had now
Changed
But do not let US suppose for one
moment" he added, that because we
have peace the war is over. In few
nversary of the signing of the armis-
tice. With the signing of that armis-
tice a terrible episode in the history
of the world came to an end. This con-
ference is as much concerned with the
war as if it had taken place in 1917.
IF find among my colleagues at the
conference the same spirit which AMI
mates the government I represent, de-
pend upon it, success it will be. And
! nobody will. am sure, be more glad if
this end is achieved than Canada, for
one OF the greatest problems-the
great problem, the central problem
is that of the Pacific. In that Canada is
Immediately interested, not as a mem
ber of the empire, but because it i'm
mediately abuts on the Pacific, and is
deeply concerned in the questions that
touch the Pacific problem. Therefore.
know that Canada will not be far be-
hind us and not less energetically de
sirous than am myself that this great
business shall be brought to success
full conclusion"