The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-08
HOUSE IS
IN EUROPE
AS President Wilson's Agent
in Plan for
Peace
TO WORK THROUGH
AMBASSADORS
To Ascertain Unofficially At
titude of Warning Ma
lions Toward Mediation

London. Feb. s.-~While not empow-
cred to act officially, Col. =. M. House
the personal representative of Presl-
dent Wilson. reached London Saturday
on a mission that may exercise poten-
tial influence in promoting peace pc
tween the warning nations OF Europe
Col. House arrived by the Lusitania,
and is accompanied by his wife. His
stav in London will be brief The length
Of his visit to continental countries viii
depend upon the result Of his investi-
CATION, undertaken at the instance OF the
American president, to whom he Will
make frequent confidential cable and
mail reports.
The utmost secrecy surrounds the ms
sion Of Col House. The only public
announcement made regarding it is that
he has been commissioned by the pres
dent to effect coordination of the va
rious relief ventures undertaken under
the supervision Of the United States.
In this country he will inquire into
the status of these undertakings, with
particular reference to Improvement in
the matter OF transporting the food
and money solely intended TO relieve
distress and collected and forwarded un-
der American auspices.
1t is the understanding nevertheless,
of diplomatic officials at London, Paris,
Berlin, Petrograd and Vienna that Col.
House is on a mission of even greater
significance the result Of which may 90
far toward promoting the expanding eff
forts to bring about termination OF
hostilities.
From diplomatic source that iusti-
fees authoritative acceptance. The World
correspondent has obtained a compre-
hensiye view Of the actual purposes OF
the mission OF Col. House,
Unofiicially Col. House is to conduct
an inquiry to ascertain the feeling Of the
European government at war entirely
through the ambassadorial representa-
tiyes of the American government at
London, Paris, Berlin, Petrograd and VII
emma.
II is apparent from the instructions
under which Co. House is proceeding that
the American president has not depart
ed in the slightest degree from the pol.
lev established by him in August last.
Soon after the invasion OF Belgium by
the German forces the president made
formal tender of his services as medi-
atOr
Col. House viii therefore make no fur
Their representation in that respect on
the part of the United States. But he
IL intrusted with the duty Of collect
ing information which may form basis
for the renewal of the mediation offer
by the United States.
The Interpretation placed upon the
mission Of Col. House by diplomats is
that he viii proceed with the greatest
caution in carrying out the wishes Of
President Wilson, and in no way iusti-
fy a criticism that the United States
Is desrious OF interfering or iniluenc-
ing any OF the powers az war
That there have been exchanges Of
representation between the Russian ann
Austrian foreign Offices on the one hand
and the American government on the
other, duriny the last month. is known
here. II Is more than probable that
these representations have contributed
largely to the mission upon which Col |
House is now engaged.