Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-23
HOUSE GOES TO EUROPE
As DIPLOMATIC AGENT
II This Capacity He Will BE Able to
Speak Directly to Heads of
Foreign Nations.
''P0KEsMAN FOR PRESIDENT
'eiieved lie Can Clear Up Many Mis-
apprehcnsions Between This and
Be'ligercnt Countries in Manner
impossible for Ambassadors.
Especial TO The Times-Dispntch. I

Especial TO The Times dispatch.
WASlllNGTON, December 22.-The
plate Department officially announced
o-day that Colonel i. NJ. House, per-
Iohal friend of President Wilson will
FISH, certain European capitals as "a
pecial diplomatic agent" of this gov
Irrnment
colonel House, it was made plain. is
gong as a spokesman for the PresI-
Iient in Great Britain, Germany. France
md possibly other bclligerent coun-
rics Colonel House has been given
credentials as Il diplomatic agent By
secretary Of State Lansing.
1t was stated that the main object
pr Colonel Houses trip is to Impress
Upon foreign powers the absolute and
friendly neutrality Of this country. He
tvill also endcavor to convince the
9'elligercnts that this government is
not hostile toward any OF them. He Is
o press particularly on the European
lowers that the correct attitude OF
nc United states could be learned from
he administration alone.
bay DISCUSS PEACE
WHEN HOUSE RETURNS
If Colonel House should get any con-
l:retc idea as TO the acceptability of a
&onewal OF the good Offices of the
Emitted States looking toward peace, 1t
Fras said. the President VIII consider
hat subject personally with Colonel
House on his return. Colonel House
iTill be gone about six weeks or two
months.
The definite statement was made that
j.olonel House would not concern him
oelf with the Lusitania case or any of
II A,
he controversies in process of settle
aent By the State Department.. The
resident. ~ was learned, believes that
Pm entirely erroneous impression has
s'ccn created abroad as TO this govern
fnent's attitude. He Is understood to
believe that this can be best cleared
/ ~ by having Colonel House personally
&c foreign officials. especially in Ger
many and Great Britain. One high Of
ows:
Colonel House, as he intinntcs. Ia
Going over TO clear the atmosphere of
Intsapprehcnsion as 10 the real views
If this government on our interna-
ional relations"
Another official supplemented this bv
he statement that this government has
been embarrassed by ovcrzealous
riends. who have insinuated that they
IRE spokesman for the White House
md the State Department
IL ~ well known that some foreign
sat!ons have complained about the un-
| air presentation of public questions
,ffecitng them. This is especially true
Iif Germany.
WILL SPEAK DIRECTLY
TO HEADS OF NATIONS
| II is understood that in the char
Ictcr Of special envoy or agent. Cod
mel House Will have the opportunity
III speaking directly 10 the heads OF
orciEn nations. II was pointed out
hat this viii enable him 10 deliver oral
messages from President Wilson II
vas declared that this is much more
satisfactory than notes delivered
through ambassadors.
State Department and White House
officials expect Colonel House viii
>ring back with him messages equally
rs confidential as those which he is
bearing with him.
! There is 4 conviction among officials
hat Colonel House may privately sound
treat Britain and Germany on state
ncnts made By British and German
tatcsmen on the general subject Of
|eacc. Officials are confident, however.
hat ne win be very guarded in such
inquiries, as il is known the President
toes not want 10 be placed in a posi-
ion where he could be rebuffed again.