The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-13
PEACE MOVE BEFORE
XMAS, SAYS JORDAN
Tells Wilson Of Private InfOr.
nation That Neutral Ma
lions Will Act.
ASKS THAT Us. TAKE PART


WASHINGTON. Nov. I2.-Dr. David
Starr Jordan. president Of Lennd STAN
ford University and head Of tho Inter-
national Peace Congress held recently
at San Francisco. called at the White
House to-day to tell President Wilson
Of plans OF peace advocates for holding q
conference OF representatives Of neutral
nations some time before Christmas.
DIR. Jordan presented the President
with n resolution adopted by the peace
congress uring him to cooperate with
the heads Of other neutral Governments
In calling such IA conference.
In laying the resolution before the
President DR.. Jordan stated that the
representatives at tho San Francisco
conference had received private in
formation that while the beiiigerent na-
tlons are not ready to initiate peace
negotiations they would not look with
disfavOr upon such Il move by neutral
Governments. He said that information
had been received that Holland. Sweden.
Switzerland. Denmark and Spain would
be glad to take part In such a move
ment.
While officials heard of DR.. Jordan's
visit with interest they were not In
clined to view 1t as ~presaging any i'm
portant peace move on tho part OF this
Government. It was felt that IL such a
move were afoot among the neutral ma
tons the President would have heard
about 1t before DR.. Jordan.
viii Not Interfere.
II is the understanding here that
Presiden, Wilson still intends to CON
tinue his policy Of non-interference.
which was emphasized on the occasion
of the visit OF cardinal Gibbons to the
White House at the instance OF the
Pope. When. In President Wilson'S opin-
ION. the time Is ripe for peace overtures
he will DO found ready to act. but he
will undoubtedly act on his " initia-
tive and not through any organization.
The resolution presented to Mr.. Will
son called on the President TO coop
crate with other neutral Government IN
calling a conference OF neutral nations.
which would constitute a voluntary court
Of continuous mediation. would invite
suggestions for settlement frun each OF
tho warning nations and in any case
submlt simultaneously to all Of them
reasonable proposals as IA basis for
peace"
Although Dr. Jordan declared that :he
status OF such 4 commission wouid be
materially strengthened II the United
States became "a party to It. he expressed
the belief a. a personal one that re-
gardless OF whether the United States
Joins in or not. the other neutral Powers
would act. In any event, he obser we'd.
the calling OF the conference would come
with better effect from one OF tho nations
closer to the scene OF the conflict tina
the United States
President Wilson received the resolu-
lions and promised 20 give them his
confederation but did not commit him
self.
Not Omcial Move.
Il want It understood" said pr. Jjr-
dan. that whatever / say beyond the
language Of the resolution represents
my personal views entirely. II must also be
borne in mind that the prelimina-,es
now going On with respect to the pro-
posed mediation commission originate
entirely with unofficial persons in ~.
various neutral countries and In the ma
tons at war.
"Manifestly tina is the only way that
such a movement could originate. for the
political leaders OF the countries AT war
feel that they must save their faces, that
II those In any OF the countries admit
defeat they would face revolution. As u
matter Of fact. however. all ~ them are
beaten In the sense that none OF the ma
tons At war has gained anything for
which the war was started, n only the
steady toll OF human life marks the
progress of the fighting.
I'VE know too from underground in
formation that comes to us that all the
nations at war want peace. but none
dares make a move toward that end. for
such a move would be construed AS "A
sign OF weakness.
The initiative mus, como from the
outside and come II will-by Christmas
| think We know that there is
a strong current Of sentiment
moving in that direction In IIol.
land. switzerland. SWEDEN. Den.
mark, Norway and Spain. II anything
It TO be accomplished by the commits,
sion that Is proposed Il must be ap'
preached in a quiet way. The regotia'
tons cannot DO made spectacular and
the commissions must appcar merely as
a clearing house OF peace Ideas. from
which may emerge a proposition fail
enough TO merit tho consideration OF al
the nations at war,
"It must IN any event speak for the
good will OF the neutral nations toward
all the Powers at war ana the desire
of these nations that peace should no
he delayed until al the young men o.
Germany and England, France and Aus
tria, Russia and the Balkans are killed
THE preliminary conference called
for December ~ at Berns, originated IN
the minds Of citizens Of the opposing
nations resident IN Switzerland--nS
officials, mind you. hut literary men
university professors, business men ant
Journalists"
Miss Jana Adams originated Tho
idea Of the creation OF such a commits
sion without diplomatic powers.
The plan In The most plausible yei
suggested. and some variation Of II, n
least. must be adopted II success Is Il
be attained.
AT the outset of the war Preside an,
Wilson rendered the good offices OF this
Government TO bring about peace. Tn,
offer was not accepted. II Is obv.ou
this time that Il would be easier for
Government of Europe TO call upon tn,
other neutrals for assistance In such q
movement than for the United States u
take the lead"