Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-04
Goes
Saturday
with 63 Directly Inter-
ested Persons, 81 Re-
porters, Three Motion
Picture Men and 20
Employees on Personal
Staff, Sails on Steam
erOscar II

Va. York. Dec. 3.-The Scandina-
American Line steamer Oscar II
i dpe to sail from its pier in Hoboken,
IS /. at T. NJ. tomorrow, carrying
"a persons who. as guests Of Henry
ror5 the Detroit manufacturer, are go
ing 70 Europe in an effort to induce
central nations TO take steps towards
,.onn;ng the war. Mr.. Ford's guests
include GO persons directly interested
In the peace movement, 81 reporters
Tor newspapers and magazines, three
motion picture men, and 20 employees
On Mr.. Ford's personal staff.
Stopping Places
The party. designated by Mr.. Ford
ss the peace expedition, is due to
reach Christiana, Norway, its first
stop about Dec. IA. The on4y other
stopping places already decided upon
are Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen,
Denmark; and The Hague, Holland. 1t
is probable, Mr. Ford said. the party
will visit other European capitals, as
ne proer Of the peace plans seems
70 require.
After consulting with William J.
Bryan. former secretary of state, who
arrived from Miami, Fla. today to talk
ab0ut the trip Mr.. Ford announced to-
hight that everything was in readiness
t0r t0morrow's departure that almost
al passports had been obtained from
the State department and that there
was not the slightest doubt that the
Oscar II would leave on time.
Bryan viii Join
NJ Bryan issued a statement re-
Jeaang his former assertion that he
approved of AIR. Ford's plans and that
lie would later join the party at The
asgue
When you arrive in Europe, what
viii be your first step 20 carry out
'ogr plans to cooperate with neutral
lations toward stopping the European
yaT" Mr.. Ford was asked.
Make Plans on Way
That is point that we will consider
" the way across the ocean," he replied
We have not decided upon any definite
teps yet. All we know is that the fight
ne nations are sick of war; that they
want 10 stop and that they are waiting
MY for some disInterested party to step
n ana offer mediation. Some people in
his world have seen fit TO be skepticai
.bout the success of our plans. but when
We return l think they will change their
aews. Any action taken toward peace
S worthy Of support if the action is based
upon good Judgment and conviction
Scenes of nuzzing activity were enacted
n the crowded rooms and Railways of
NJ Ford's headquarters in an uptown
hotel. All day people crowded in to seek
Information.
The sections of the hotel reserved for
TIE hotel expedition soon assumed the
aspect Of commercial establishment.
Facards were posted in the halls telling
he ncoming guests where to learn about
asr passports and to what room to ap-
DIT 10 have their baggage taken care of.
4ozens Of persons who had come with
clothing suitable for an ordinary winter
N America were sent out to buy warm
oYeFcoats and thick shoes which would
Protect them against the colds IF Norway
and Sweden. Everybody is warned to
20 provided with plenty of warm cloth
As' read the notice given to the guests.
Mr. Ford staff Of clerks and managers
we're kept busy answering kilograms sen,
ron all parts Of the country and many
VI item from trains by guests who want
VI 10 Know II there was any prospect Of
ies'ponng the sailing of the vessel. To
'hese emphatic answers were sent an
"ouAcing that nothing would stop the
Saiihg Of the peace ship. Another group
y c.efks were detailed to the business
VI forwarding cablegrams to various
points in Europe
4Hese cablegrams pertained to hotel
for the guests. Mess
$50 were also sent appointing local
.lAAaeers to provide automobiles and
trains for the party.
4'' Ford sid his guests had been in
'-'e0 Tor six weeks trip, but that the
, might be considerably extended.
~ Tor himself, even after members of
r party had returned to America, Mr..
WV sand he intended to remain until
poaee had been restored" He said he
= s'eHt go into Germany and England,
). posSlole and expend any amount of
.0Nes IN behalf of peace. The prelim-
.s expenses Of the trip so far had
100000, he said. and in six weeks
!, expected to spend several hundred
Nousand dollars more.
-. an evidence of his intention to de-
w. 'ihe and money to his expedition
ford announced that he had made |
Will for the distribution Of his |
vs. IN case of his death abroad and !
~ arranged to have his business af- |
a. handled Independently of himself. |
,,,, am prepared to meet anything"
= mr. Ford. "If we fail this time |
~ VII Try some other plan for ending |
H. war I'm not going to stop until |
N 70. var Is stopped. I'm going to keep |
n. as,hg until peace has come again. |
mat | shall a. >. -.