The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-12-28
MRS. BOSSEVA|N QUITS
THE FORD PEACE PARTY
Methods of the Expedition
Are Repugnant to Her
Principles.
ISSUES LONG STATEMENT.
Instead OF All Members Formulating
Plans, Work Has Been Confined
to u Few Selected Persons.


Mrs. Inez Milholland Boissevain of
New York, who withdrew from the
Ford peace expedition Saturday, pre-
sented at public meeting of the
delegates today long statement of
her reasons for doing so and for be-
lieving the project was doomed to
failure.
The undemocratic method en-
ployed by the managers of the ex-
pedition is repugnant to my prin-
ciples.' she said. Instead of all the
members formulating plans, the work
has been confined to few specially
selected persons. When the party
embarked on the Oscar ii, | took it
for granted that the rather vague
opinion of the body of delegates
would be hammered into effective
shape by group action and construc-
tive thinking throughout the voyage.
An organization was not formed
until three days before the end of the
voyage. To that fact trace all mis-
| understandings dissensions, mistakes
i'll policy, inefiiciency and inability to
get the idea of mediation peace
congress in comprehensive shape be-
fore the public
The organization, when finally
formed was abortive. The Scandina-
Wan public which expected clear
thinking and definite program were
skeptical about the serious-minded-
ness of the delegates. At the meet
ings the discussions have been purely
private, with the result of ill-feeling,
suspicious and condemnation. For
the reasons stated / am unable to
continue with the party"
Since the departure of the expe-
dition from New York three weeks
ago no meetings have been held at
which peace plans were discussed
Discussions have taken place about
the dinner tables and between meals
the delegates went sightseeing. Mr..
Ford's leaving the party on account
OF sickness last week is regarded as 1
serious handicap.
The Rev. Charles +. Aked of San
francisco, Judge Ben Lindsey OF
Denver. and others believe the expe-
dition should proceed to The Hague
to carry out the original plan as far
as possible. This will result in the
formation OF a permanent committee
or persons from neutral countries to
sit at The Hague to adopt ways and
means
Each of the seven members of the
peace expedition whom Mr.. Ford left
In executive charge after his de-
parture expressed confidence today
that the project would mark an i'm
portant move toward European peace.
All agreed, however, that the plan
had seemingly insuperable obstacles.
Members of the committee believe
that while peace is hardly possible
before spring, yet the presence of
the expedition travelling through neu-
trail countries will convince the bel
ligerents of the ardent desire of all
neutrals for peace. The Rev. Jenkin
Lloyd Jones', chairman of the execu-
tive committee, said:
There has been more talk OF
peace sipce our arrival here than
ever before. and the more peace talk
there is the greater is the desire for
peace. We know we are undertaking
seemingly impossible task, yet we
believe in the possibility of our voice
being heard"
Never was the time more oppor.
tune for peace lovers to unite for hu-
manity." said the Rev. DR.. Aked.
We have pacificists OF America, Nor
way and Sweden with us already and
we will have others from Denmark
and Holland as soon as we reach
those countries and Switzerland and
Spain VIII send delegates to join us
at The Hague" f4
Similar views were expressed by
Mrs. Joseph Fels. Judge Lindsey.
Benjamin w. Huedsch, Frederick
Holt. Mrs. William b. Lloyd and
others.
twas said that Mr. Ford and Will
liam ]. Bryan would both appear at
the peace meeting to be held at The |
Hague. Mrs. Fels said:
when we begin our sessions at
The Hague 10 days hence, the world
will see more behind the peace