Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-07
ENVOY TO EUROPE
FINDS DIFFICULTY IN ACCOM-.
PLIsHiNo MISSION.
WORK UNDERTAKEN At
uNPRoPiTlous TIME
Armament to 30 Leading Question
in Future Parleys-aermany said 70
Be Willing to Pay Belgium Sufficient
Indemnity-kaiser's Aides Pin Faith
to Submarines.

Washington, April Little by lit
tie the facts are coming out in connec-
ton with the abortive effort Of Col. E.
NJ. House, of Texas. acting as the UNI
official agent of the president, to re-
store peace in Europe.
1t was learned yesterday that Col
onel Houses failure was due primarily
to the fact that he undertook his mis-
sion at the wrong moment. He began
his approach of the several govern
ments just at the time the bitter feel
ing in England toward Germany was
accentuated by the establishment OF
the submarine blockade" Of the Brit
ish Isles and Germany was flushed
by the prospect Of striking blow di-
rectly at her principal enemy
He was further handicapped by the
view held in Germany and Austria
Hungary that the president is pro-
ally in his sentiments, while in Eng
land and France it is felt that he has
not been sufficiently aggressive in OPP
position to the German submarine OPP
erations.
Mediator's Task Difficult.
The task of a mediator always is
difficult especially in circumstances
such as prevail at the present time.
1t is useless TO tell the belligerents
that they are not fighting about any
thing which is a real obstacle to peace.
They have their own views as to the
objects of their struggle, and they
press them with determination which
can be accounted for only by the way
their feelings have been wrought up.
Colonel House discovered that one of
the most serious questions to be de-
cided was that of ornaments. He
found that Germany and Austria Hun
gary were willing to restore the ter
ritorial status quo dnte-bellum, so far
as Europe was concerned: that France
wanted AIsace and Lorraine; that
Russia, besides free exit to the Medi-
terranean. sought part of Galicia,
and that England's principal aim was
10 bring about German disarmament,
particularly on the sea.
Willing to Pay Belgium?
Further information obtained indie
pendently of Colonel House is that the
German military staff is disposed 10
pay certain damages to Belgium and
that in exchange FOR evacuation and
such payment their government shall
receive compensation in the shape OF
territory in Africa where white men
can live.
Germany and Austria Hungary con-
tend that all along they have been
willing to make peace, but they will
not confess defeat by first suggesting
the Inauguration of negotiations.
The allies say that in order to make
the peace durable it is necessary to
continue military operations until the
Teutonic nations Cf Germany. Austria
Hungary and Turkey can be SO de-
scribed) are willing to accept the terms
they will lay down.
The French are preparing for their
threatened drive against Alsace and
Lorraine. If that drive should fail.
then they may be disposed to listen to
terms which will not include the trans
fer of the lost provinces" to them. If
it should prove victorious the Ger
mans will pursue the contest in order
to regain possession of this territory
The main attempt of the allies, how
ever, will be directed, according to the
view here, upon the Dardanelies. With
Constantinople in their possession. the
result of the war, they believe, will be
certain.
Faith in Submarine War.
Germany is hopeful that eventually
the submarine blockade will have a
direct effect upon England's policy.
The destruction Of merchant ships has
caused on increase in insurance rates
and affected the price Of food. The
strikes in England are being watched
with the greatest attention by the
Germans. They are anxious to pro-
duce condition in England where
life will bear severely upon the aver
age man and cause an agitation for
peace which will influence the govern
ment.
They are hopeful that the order
against drink will be regarded by the
average Englishman as an infringe
ment upon his personal liberty and
that it will aid in producing riots. This
may be regarded as far-fetched in
many circles. but it is the German
hope and it is being built upon in Ber-
lin to a very great extent according
to information obtained in Washing
-,