Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-14
COL. HOUSE WAS NOT
ON PEACE MISSION
Admits He Talked With Leading
Officials of Germany, France
and England.
BACK FROM EUROPEAN VISIT
Presidents Friend Declares There
Was Nothing Exceptional
About Trip Abroad.

NEW YORK, June 13.-Admitting
that he had talked with leading gov
ernment officials Of Germany. Franco
and England. but denying that his trim
20 Europe in any way was connected
with n possible peace mission, or that
he was the personal emissary Of Presi-
dent Wilson, Colonel Edward NJ. House
arrived here to-day from Liverpool. n
passenger on the American Line steam
ship st. Paul.
I did not talk peace. and that was
not my mission abroad" Colonel House
declared. That report was the big
sest piece OF nonsense that l have
heard" He also said that he was not
called home by President Wilson
Colonel House said that since leav-
Ing New York on January 80 of this
year. he had met and talked with lead
Ing officials of the European govern
mcnts, but did not discuss politics
Colonel House said he went to Europe
almost every year, and this trip had
been no exception OF intent of purpose
Asked II he had communicated with
President Wilson during his absence on
any matter of importance that had
come to his notice, Mr.. House said that
such would be the duty of any Ameri-
can citizen. and that President Wilson
was his personal friend.
COAST GUARD CUTTER
TAKES HIM ASHORE
Colonel House left the st. Paul on
coast guard cutter before the ship
reached port, and landed at a private
dock, where ne took a train for Ros-
lyn. l.. l., going to the home OF his SON.
in-law. Gordon Auchincloss. Mrs House
remained on the liner
Colonel House said he left New York
on January 80 on the Lusitania, the
trip on which Captain Dow flew the
American flag, while passing through
the German war zone He added, how
ever. that he did not see the American
nag He visited England for two
weeks, he said. and while there talked
with Premier Asquith, David Lloyd
George and Lord Kitchener
From England he went to Paris.
where he visited for week. and was
| received by President Poincare. MIN
lister of Foreign Affairs Delcasse and
others. In both of these countries. he
said. he stopped at hotels. From Paris.
Colonel House said he went to Berlin.
where ne was a guest of Ambassador
|. Gerard. In Germany nc talked with
forelsn Minister Won Jagow, Chancel-
LOT Won Hollweg, Under
secretary Of State Zimmerman and 9TH
ers. He was in Berlin for a week. go
Ing thence to Switzerland and then back
to London.
TALKED WITH SAME MEN
HE ALWAYS VISITS
"In Berlin, as everywhere else I
visited. was treated kindly" said Col
onel House. My reason for talking
with the men l did had nothing to do
with peace. I know them ALL and all
ways visit them" he added
How long is this war going to last?"
he was asked.
You know as we'll as do. or as we'll
rs Sir Edward Grey or Ministers Del
casse or Won Jagow," was his reply.
Does England want to see the United
States in this war;" was another cues
ton put to him.
"Oh. England is divided-some think
| 1t would not be an advantage TO the
cause of the allies" was the answer.
Has the United States lost it's stand
Ing as an influence for peace?"
Il don't know that it has ever under
taken the task" he said.
colonel House said that he was in
London when the Lusitania was sunk.
| and when the first American note to
Germany was made public He declined
! to comment on these subjects He said
| that in all countries he visited there
was strong spirit OF confidence.
SAW OR HEARD NOTHING
NOT INTENDED FOR HIM
| ASKED about supplies of foodstuffs,
! ammunition, etc. he said that he had
seen nothing or heard nothing that he
| should not see or hear. The rcsigna-
! ton of william Jennings Bryan as Sec
retary of State was called to his at
! tention. He said he heard OF il on the
st. Paul. bat he would make no COM
ment. AS to Mr.. Bryans successor. he
said he had no idea. He was told that
he had been mentioned as possible sue
cessor to the office. He replied
TT has not been offered to me. I
have never held public office or desired
| It,"
Colonel House said he had not COM
municated with President Wilson since
his return. He expected to go to Wash
ington. but did not know when He
added that he had not sounded neutral
| nations on the subject of peace or war.