Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-25
HENRY FORD NOW
ABOARD STEAMER
ENR0UTE TO j. 5.
AIR OF MYSTERY SURROUNDS
PEACE PROMOTERS SUDDEN
DECISION TO RETURN.

Christiana, Norway, Dec. 24-The
Norwegian liner Bergensfjord with
Henry Ford on board sailed for New
York this morning Mr.. Ford stated
before leaving Bergen that the peace
expedition would continue under the
auspices of the Women's Internation-
al Peace association.
The Rev. Samuel 8. Marquis, dean
OF St. Paul's cathedral, Detroit, sailed
from Bergen with Mr.. Ford.
Henry Ford's departure from Europe
apparently marks the termination In
its original form Of the most novel
of the many movements which have
been undertaken to bring about the
ending OF the war Mr.. Ford's an
nouncement that the Women's Inter
national Peace association henceforth
will conduct the expedition would
seem to indicate that, so far as he per-
sonally is concerned, he will relin-
quish the self imposed task which he
expressed In the phrase, "Out of the
trenches by Christmas" 1t has not
been made clear, however, whether
Mr.. Ford will continue to give financial
support to the enterprise.
The Women's International Peace
association has been in existence for
some time. 1t held q congress at The
Hague last spring and appointed dele
cations to visit the capitals OF vari-
ous European and American nations
One of the most prominent women at
the congress was Madame ROs1ka
Schwimmer, president Of the Hun
garian Woman Suffrage association,
~ hn 40 %I>A In rd M v,oWtv
After the congress at The Hague,
Madame Schwimmer came to the
United States to continue her work for
peace. She went to Detroit to see Mr..
Ford, and it was reported, 1t was she
who suggested to him the idea of the
peace expedition.
Reports Of Dissension.
Before the peace ship Oscar II.
reached the other side there we're re-
ports Of dissension among the peace
delegates. When Mr.. Ford reached
Christfana he kept in the background,
1t being said that he was i'll. It was
not until last night, however, that the
unconf1rmed report that he had quit
the party reached this country.
Although full details have not been
received, it would appear that he made
his departure secretly and that most
of the peace delegates, at the time
they LETT Christiana for Stockholm,
were ignorant Of the fact that he was
not to 20 on with them. One Chris.
tiana dispatch said Mr.. Ford had
boarded q train from Christiana for
Bergen yesterday at about the time
his former associates were leaving for
Stockholm. 1t was said Mr.. Ford's
sudden departure was due to, the fact
that his physician had ordered him to
rest.
Before leaving Christianla for Ber-
gen, Mr.. Ford wrote out the following
statement for the press:
II am satisfied with what has been
accomplished in Christiania. Peace
has been given publicity. Newspapers
have power to end the war, for 1t is
through publicity that the gospel OF
peace Is spread.
Norway is like every other country.
The people are all right"
In announcing at Bergen the circum.
stances under which the expedition
would be continued, Mr.. Ford said a
committee had been appointed to act
as leaders It consists of Judge Ben
Lindsey of Denver, the Rev. DR.. Jen-
kin Lloyd Jones Of Chicago, John Bar.
ry of San Francisco, Lieut.. Gov. A. ].
Bethea of South Carolina and Louis P.
Lochner of Chicago, Mr.. Ford's secre-
tary.
Friends Are Surprised.
Detroit. Dec. 24.-Although Mrs.
Henry Ford could not be communicat.
ed with this afternoon, those close to
the family expressed great surprise
at Mr.. Ford's return home. His pr1.
vate secretary here said no cable.
gram had been received by the family
that he would return.