Balfour Mission facts for kids

The Balfour Mission was an important visit by the British government to the United States during World War I. It happened shortly after the United States officially joined the war in April 1917.

The main goal of the mission was to work closely with the United States during the war. Britain also wanted to see how ready their new partner was for the fight. The British Foreign Secretary, Arthur Balfour, met with US President Woodrow Wilson and his main advisor, Colonel House. They talked about secret agreements that Britain and France had made with other countries like Italy.

The British group also met with many important leaders in the US government, finance, and industry. They explained Britain's views on the war. Other meetings focused on getting war supplies and discussing a future plan known as the Balfour Declaration.

At the same time, France also sent a similar group to the US. Later in 1917, other countries like Italy, Russia, Belgium, and Japan also sent missions. All these groups were invited to speak to the US Congress.

A Historic Visit

The Balfour Mission left England on April 11, 1917. They arrived in Washington, D.C., on April 22, after first landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Arthur Balfour made history by speaking to both parts of the US Congress. He spoke to the House of Representatives on May 5 and the Senate on May 8. He was the first British person ever to do this.

Balfour, Colonel Edward M. House, and President Wilson had dinner at the White House on April 30. During this dinner, Balfour told Wilson about the secret agreements concerning Italy and the Middle East. On May 18, Balfour sent Wilson copies of these important documents. These included the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Treaty of London (1915).

Cecil Spring Rice, who was the British ambassador to the United States, said the mission created a "completely new feeling" in the relationship between Britain and America.

Who Was Part of the Mission?

The group that traveled for the Balfour Mission included several important people.

• Arthur Balfour: He was the British Foreign Secretary and a former prime minister.
• Walter Cunliffe, 1st Baron Cunliffe: He was the head of the Bank of England.
• Sir Eric Drummond: He later became the first leader of the League of Nations.
• Dudley de Chair: An admiral who advised on stopping enemy trade.

Other members of the group included experts from different areas. There were people from the War Office, who handled military matters. Experts from the Blockade Department worked on stopping supplies to the enemy. There were also people from the Wheat Commission, dealing with food supplies. Finally, experts from the Ministry of Munitions focused on weapons and ammunition.

Images for kids

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  The Balfour Mission group outside the home of Breckinridge Long in Washington D.C. They stayed here during their trip. Today, it is the Mexican Cultural Institute.

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  Arthur Balfour in New York, May 11, 1917.

See also

• Diplomatic history of World War I