Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-25
PRESIDENT SEES NO PROSPECT FOR
AN EARLY PEACE IN EUROPE --SOME
REASONS DELAYING POSSIBILITY

New York June 24-President Will
son does not see any prospect for an
early peace in Europe. Colonel z. M.
House, his close friend and unoffi cial
envoy TO Europe, gave the President
today the results of his sojourn of sew
eral months in the principal capitals
of Europe, where he talked intimate
ly with the responsible orricials of the
German, British and French govern
ments and the information he impart-
ed in the long walks and talks which
they enjoyed today reflected definitely
the ideas held by both diplomatists
and the military element in each Of
the countries at war
Possible Terms Of Peace
He SO disclosed the various beliefs
and currents Of public opinion in each
country as to what might be the pos
sible terms of peace, and the trend of
public opinion toward the different
peace proposals that have been
brought forward from time to time in
formal discussions by the President
and peace organizations. The Presi-
dent has been guided largely by what
BILE and letters in handling the deli
cate question of renewing the efforts
of the United States to bring about
general acceptance of mediation
One Element Against Peace
One fundamental thing, the Fresi-
dent has learned, which has affected
the efforts OF the United States to
make peace, is the preparedness Of
public opinion in some Of the belliger-
ent countries as to terms which they
fear their opponents might advance
Col. House observed during his trip
to Europe that public opinion in some
of the countries was most insistent
on terms which the governments of
those countries already had learned
in various ways would not be accept
able to their opponents. In all coun-
tries he found that there had devel-
oped among the masses a desire for
a settlement that would be commen-
surate with the sacrifice in blood and
treasure that had been made by the
people.
Balance Of Territory
II left to the diplomatists in Eu-
rope alone, q return to the territorial
status quo would perhaps not be Diff
cult some Of the information inoi-
Gates.
In Germany
In Germany, it seemed according to
reliable information given to the
President that the object of the large
and influential party was to prepare
public opinion for a realization of the
idea that Germany's best interests lie
in colonial expansion and the inciden-
tai development Of over seas commerce
rather than in territorial extension in
Europe proper.
"Freedom Of the Seas"
The question, however, which Col
House thinks likely viii play a most i'm
portant part in any peace negotiations is
freedom Of the seas" the principle that
the property Of all private citizens except
contrAband shall be exempt from can
ture or seizure on the high seas except
In time Of war. The foregoing point
WIS discussed at the first and second
Hague conference and at the London ma
val once which brought forth the So
called Declaration of london" but no
general ratification or agreement OF it
was ever secured. The American dele
cation to the f1rst and second Hague
conferences were entrusted to vote for
the adoption q the principle
Col. House IL known to be a supporter
Of the Freedom Of the seas. principle
and in his discussion u the subject while
abroad there IL some reason to believe
that he had the sanction Of the Rresi-
DENT Col Home fnrn6 ssuonw -. A.