New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-06
WILSON MEDIATION
MAY Be ACCEPTED
France and Russia Be-
lieyed To Be Favorable
to u. S. Offer.
BERLIN SAID TO
BE CRUCIAL POINT
Servia and Montenegro Not In
cluded Because Not IN
Hague Convention.
lrrom M rrLbune Bureau. J


WASHINGTON. Aug. 5.-President VII
son to-day made a tender OF his iriehu-
~ offices 10 the powers involved in the
European war. In the opinion OF dlpio-
mats here it will give the United states
a commanding position in the great
conflict abroad and serve to cement
friendships already existing.
By some extraordinary inadvertence
Secretary Bryan entirely overlooked
conveying the Presidents OFFER o. me-
diation TO the British Charge d'AhalreS'
Colville Barclay, despite the TACT tnS'
MIR. Barclay called twice on the secte-
tarv of State to-day. When inquiries
were made at the British Embassy TO-
night it was explained that, aside from
what had been seen in the newspaper
nothing was known Of the Presidents
offer to mediate. and that therefore 1t
naturally could not be discussed
Soon after President Wilson had eN'
tended his Office as peacemaker among
the warning nations, John Barrett d.
rector general Of the Pan-Amer'ea"
Union, following a conference win inc
President, announced that ne hau as
surances that most Of the Central and
South American governments wou!d
ioin with the United States in the m
terests Of peace.
The impression prevails here tna'
France and Russia will accept the oHer'
The Presidents message to Emperor
william. Emperor Nicholas, Ehpeioii
Francis Joseph. President foihcare ""u
King George was as follows;
"As official head of one OF the poWei9
sicnatory to the Hague conVehlloh'
feel il to be my privilege ana my IVY
under Article Of that convention. W
saw to you in spirit OF most ealhesS
friendship that should welcome an an
opportunity to act in the lhteres1 y,
European peace, either now or az any
other time that might be thoughI niote
suitable, as an occasion TO seI'e !JJJ
and ali concerned in a way that Wouiu
afford me lasting cause Tor gra'i'uu'
and happiness. MN coNp
"M OODhON lhoO''',.
All eyes here are turned on pellIr,
where. IL is believed, the decision W
mediation really lies. AmDassaGol
Gerard has been consplcuously az
since hostilities began IN ms en- -
10 suggest some way for paciIic SC
clement. and the general trend OIL oP'as
10, in White House circles was one VI
None of the powers, it was polntei
out. would suffer any DISADVANTAGE
through the acceptance Oh meolatlon
Under the Hague Convention the Pei
Of the mediator consists IN "recohel-
ing the opposing claims and appeasIhs
the feeling o. resentment wnlcn ha'
have arisen between Inc states at ar
ance." and mediation has "eXelusiFelJ
the character of advice" ana never
binding force u.i.oI
The first step which the United
States would take in the event ol =
general acceptance OF It's propose
would be to suggest suspension OIL
hostilities. This would not lhEoNe
any interruption or delay III moOiilz'-
ton or measures OF preparation VI
war. ~, .Lot
Il was said at the White House tnat
no limitations ndu DeeH ISSSi'NN
the offer would be favorably received.
President Wilson took the position that
the European war was so stupendous
and that its effect on the entire world
was liable to be so lasting that the
United States, as one of the few large
neutral powers, could not do otherwise
than at least offer TO be the means for
bringing about peace.
The prefer of good offices was not
sent to the governments OF Servla ana
Montenegro, because those countries
are not parties to The Hague conven-
ton.
The American Peace and Arbitration
League sent message of congratula-
ton Yesterday to President Wilson on
The promptness and spirit of his tender
of GOOD offices to the warning European
nations. 1t referred to "the European
origin and composition. of large por-
ton of our citizenship" and said that
ali nationalities in the United States
would rejoice in the endeavor to bring
about a speedy cessation Of hostilitles.