Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-04

New York, Dec. 3.-The Scandina- vian-American Line steamer Oscar II IS due to sail from its pier in Hobo Ken, N. J.. at D. m. tomorrow, car rying 14O persons who, as guests of Henry Ford. the Detroit manufactur- er are going to Europe in an effor to incuce neutral coutries to take steps toward stopping the war. Mir F'ord's guests include sixty-three per sons direttly interested in the peace movement, ffty-four reporters for newspapers and magazines, three mo- tion picture men. and twenty employ es on MT. Ford's personal staff.
 Norway First Stop.
 The party. designated by Mir. Ford as the peace expedition. is due to reach Christiania, Norway, it's first stop, about December 14. The only other stopping places already decided upon are Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark, and The Hague, Holland. It is probable MT. Ford said, that the party will visit other European -capi- tals, as the progress of the peace plans seem to require.
 Everything in Readiness For Depar-
 ture.
 After consulting with William J. Bryan. former secretary of state, who arrived from Miami. Fla. today to talk about the trip, MT. Ford announc- cd tonight that everything was in readiness for tCmorrow's departure and that there was not the slightest doubt that the Oscar II would leave on time.
 Has Mir. Byran's Approval.
 Mir Bryan issued a statement re- beating his former assertion that he approved of MT. Ford's plans and that he would later join the party at The Hague.
 'fWhen you arrive in F,urone what will be your first step to carry out your Tlans to cooperate with neutral nations toward stopping the European war 7" Mir. Ford was asked.
 That is a point that we will con- slider on the way across the ocean" he replied. We have not decided upon any definite steps yet. All we know is that the fighting nations are sick of war, that they want to stop and that they are waiting for some disinterested party to step in and offer mediation. Some people in the world have seen fit to be skeptical about the. success of our plans but when We re- turn I thinl. they will change their views AEy action taken toward peace is worthy of support if the action is based upon good judgment and con- yiction."
 Ford's Hearouarters Crowded. | Scenes of buzzina activity were en- acted in the crowded rooms and hall ways of 1Ir. Fords headquarters in an uptown hotel. All day people crowded in to seek information The | section of the hotel devoted to the Ford expedition soon assumed the as- pect of a commercial establishment. 1 Placards were posted in the halls tell l ing the oncoming guests where to l learn about their passports and to what room to apply to have their baggage taken care of. Dozens of per- sons who had come with clothing suitable for an ordinary winter in America were sent out to buy warm overcOats and thick shoes which would protect them against the cold winds of Norway and Sweden Every body is warned to go provided with plenty of warm clothing" read one notice given to the guests.
 Clerks and Managers Kept Busy. Mir Ford's staff of clerks and man. agers were kept busy answering tele- grams sent from all parts of the coun- try and many or them from trains by guests who wanted to know if there was any prospect of postponing the sailing of the vessel. To these en- phatic answers were sent announcing that nothing would stop the sailing of the peace ship, Another group of clerks were detailed to the business of forwarding cablegrams to various points in Europe These cablegrams pertained to hotel accommodations for the guests Messages were also sent appointing local managers 10 provide automobiles an dtrains for the party.
 Six Weeks Trip.
 NIT. Ford said his guests had been invited for a six weeks trip but that the time might be considerably ex- tended. As for himself. even after members of his party had returned to America, MT. Ford said he intended to remain until peace had been re- stored" He said he might go into Germany and England. if possible and expend any amount of money in behalf of peace. The preliminary expense of the trip so far has cost S60, 900, he said and in six weeks he expected to spend several hundred thousand dollars more.
 ''As an evidence of his intention to devote time and money to his expedi- ton. Mir Ford announced he had made a new will for the distribution of his fortune in case of his death abroad and had agreed to have his business affairs handled independently of him. self.
 Ford Prepared to Meet Anything.
 T am prepared to meet anything" said Mir. Ford. If we fail this time, we will try some other plan for ending the war. I'm not going to stop until the war Is stopped. I'm going to keep on trying until peace has come again. What I shall do next if this mission fails, do not know as yet. I haven't any idea But I shall do something. I am determined in that.
 if He Fails. Will Start Over.
 'I have always been opposed to war. and opposed to preparation for war. I really don't know just where the plan for the peace mission came from. The project of chartering a ship and hold ing conference on the other side