The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-30
PEACE Seems FAR 9lSIANT.
WILSON DOES NOT SEE EARLY
END TO EUROPEAN CONFLICT.
Col. House Gives President Impress
sions Gained During Stay of Several
Months I'm Capitals OF Europe.

son does not see any prospect for an
early peace I'm Europe.
Col. r. M. House. his unofficial en-
voy to Europe. gave the president to-
day the results OF his sojourn of sew
seral months I'm European capitals,
'wheer he talked intimately with the
responsible officials of the German.
British and French governments, and
the Information he impaired In the
long walks and talks which they en-
joyed otday reflected definitely the
ideas held by both diplomatsists and
the military element I'm each of the
countries at war
Col. House also disclosed the cur
rents OF public opinion I'm each coun-
try as to peace terms. The president
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 a
general acceptance of mediation. No
new tenders of good Offices have been
made TO any OF the warning powers.
One fundamental thing the presi-
dent has learned Is the unprepared-
ness OF public opinion I'm some OF the
Z belligerent countries as to terms which
they fear their adversaries might ad-
vance. or that already are discussed.
Col. House observed that public opin-
ION In some countries insisted on terms
which the governments OF those coun-
tries 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
desire for n settlement that would
be commensurate with sacrifices made
by the people III left TO the dipio-
matists In Europe alone. return to
the territorial status quo perhaps
would not be difficult. some OF the in
formation Indicated. A
In Germany, Il seems. according to
Information given to the president, the
object OF n large and influential party
was to prepare public opinion for a
reafizatiou of the idea that Germany's
best interests lie I'm colonial expansion
and the incidental development of
overseas commerce. rather than I'm
territorial extension In Europe proper.
The question. however. which Col.
HOUSE thinks likely will play most
important part In any peace negotia-
Hons is freedom OF the seas" the
principle that the property of all pri-
vate citizens. except contraband. shall
be exempt from capture or seizure
on the high seas In time OF war.
This point was discussed at the
rrst and second Hague conferences
and at the London naval conference
which brought forth the socalled
Declaration OF London" but no gem
eral ratification or agreement was OBJ
tained. The American delegations to
the first and second Hague conferences
were instructed TO vote for the adop-
ton OF this principle.
Col. House In known to be. a sun
porter OF the freedom OF the seas"
principle and I'm his discussion of the
subject while abroad there is some
reason to believe that he had the sane
tion OF the president. Col. House
found among the allies a widely vary
Ing opinion.
Neither the president nor Col.
House would make formal state
ment tonight on their conference.
President Wilson In 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-
day Col House. who was sitting on
the porch OF the club house. turned 10
friend and pointed To the president.
saying. there was the man likely to
bring about peace"
Col. House told friends that the
president knew far more about the
European situation than he did and
was handling the problems growing
out OF the war In highly intelligent
manner and as well as any man could
handle them. lie is understood to
have said the president displayed re-
markable knowledge Of the European
situation during their long talk.