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Show BALFOUR BEFORE IE REPORTERS Express Thanks for the Kind Treatment Extended British Mission. WASHINGTON, May 24. In a farewell fare-well address to the American people today, Foreign Secretary Balfour warmly expressed thanks for the kindness, and sympathy with which the British war mission has been received re-ceived in the country, declared what tho United States has accomplished during tho forty days since the United States entered tho was most remarkable, remark-able, and said he would carry back to the allies across the water hiB beiior that with as little delay as human Imperfections Im-perfections allow the full and decisive weight of America would be thrown into the struggle for democracy. The message was delivered through tho Washington correspondents gathered gath-ered at the National Press club to hoar tho last speech of the. British statesman. It was spoken with evident evi-dent feeling. "Of those who say the war preparations prepara-tions of the United States have proceeded pro-ceeded slowly," Mr. Balfour said, "thoy know very little of the actual way in which public life Is, and must be, carried car-ried on in free countries. "I think what has been accomplished accomplish-ed in these forty days most remarkable," remark-able," he said. "It is quite true that executive government has been do-laved do-laved bv the fact that certain measures placed betore congress took time to pass, some of them have not yet passed. pass-ed. But who is it that supposes that representative assemblies aro going to make great and new departures in public policy solely at the waving of a wand?" He added that he felt confident that congress would give the president the great powers necessary to successful conduct of the war. In expressing the mission's gratitude grati-tude for the reception given them, the foreign minister spoke of regret of their inability to visit many sections and voiced the hope that It might be done at a later and happier time. To tho correspondents themselves and the American press generally he paid a tribute for their "accuracy and patriotic patri-otic principles." Mr. Balfour called on President Wilson at the White House today for probably the last time during the visit of the mission. The two statesmen had established a real personal friendship friend-ship during their meetings hero and the final meeting today was more than fnrmol anH rinrfiin nfnrTT The mission spent tho day In winding wind-ing up Its affairs and making ready to leave for Canada. Everything has been accomplished that can be at present pres-ent till final legislation is passed by congress and tho mission Is able to leave with a clean slate after nearly six weeks on American soil. Joffre Butler of tho foreign office, who has been the press representative of the mission, received orders from London today to remain in this country coun-try for some weeks longer. At the Press club meeting resolutions were adopted asking Mr. Balfour to express to Mr. Butler the gratitude of the newspaper men for the statesmanship and tact with which he has handled his delicate task. |