The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-07-01
PEACE STILL IN
THE DISTANCE.
PRESIDENT HEARS FROM COL.
HOUSE. UNOFFICIAL ENVOY,WHO
HAS BEEN TRAVELLING lNEUROPE

HAS BEEN TRAVELLING In EUhOfE
President Wilson does not see any
prospect for an early peace in
Europe.
Col E M House, his unofficial en-
voy to Europe, gave the President
last week the result of his sojourn
of several months in European cap
itals, where he talked intimately
with the responsible officials of the
German, British and French Govern
ments, and the information he i'm
parted in the long walks and talks
which they enjoyed reflected def
nitely the ideas held by both diplo-
matists and the military element in
each of the countries at war.
Col House also disclosed the cur
rents of public opinion in each coun-
try as to peace terms. The Presi-
dent has been guided largely by
what Col House has reported to him
by cable and letters in handling the
delicate question of renewing the
efforts of the United States to bring
about general acceptance Of medi-
alton. No new tenders of good Of
fees have been made to any of the
warning powers.
One fundamental thing the Presi.
dent has learned is the unprepared-
ness of public opinion in some of the
belligerent countries as to terms
which they fear their adversaries
might advance, or that already are
discussed. Col House observed that
public opinion in some countries in
sisted on terms which the Govern
ments Of those countries already
had learned in various ways would
not be acceptable to their opponents.
In all countries, Col House found
there had developed among the
masses a desire for settlement that
would be commensurate with sacri-
fees made by the people. If left to
the diplomatists in Europe alone,
return to the territorial status quo
perhaps would not be difficult, some
of the information indicated.
In Germany, it appears, accord
ing to the information gwen to the
President, the object of a large and
influential party was to prepare
public opinion for realization Of
the idea that Germany's best inter-
ests lie in colonial expansion and the
Incidental development of overseas
commerce, rather than in territorial
extension in Europe proper.
The question, however, which Col
House thinks likely will play a most
important part in any peace negoti-
ations is freedom of the SEAS" the
principle that the property of all
private citizens, except contraband,
shall be exempt from capture or
seizure on the high seas in time of
war.
This point was discussed at the
first and second Hague conferences
and at the London naval conference
which brought forth the socalled
Declaration of London, "but no gen.
eral ratification or agreement was
obtained. The American delega-
tions to the first and second Hague
conferences were instructed to vote
for the adoption of this principle.
Col House is known to be sup
porter of the freedom of the seas''
principle and in his discussion of the
subject while abroad there is some
reason to believe that he had the
sanction of the President. Col House
found among the allies widely
varying opinion.
Neither the President nor Col
House would make formal state
ment tonight on their conference.
President Wilson is considered by
Col House as the man most likely to
restore peace to the world. AS the
President was playing golf at the
Piping Rock club on Long Island to-
dav Col House who was sitting on