Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-06-25
Says That Terms Of Bellig
erent Countries Prove
Unsatisfactory.
CONFERS WITH HOUSE
When Peace Does Come
"Freedom of the Seas"
VIII be Principal Issue.

NEW YORK, June 24.-President
~ Wilson does not see any pro-
spect for an early peace in Europe.
Today Col. T.. NJ. House, his close
friend and unofficial envoy to Europe,
gave the president the result of his
sojourn of several months in the prin-
cipal capitals of Europe, where he
talked intimately with the responsible
officials of the German, British and
French governments. He also dis
closed the various beliefs and currents
Of public opinion I'm each country as
to what might be the possible terms
of peace and the trend of public Opin-
ion toward the different peace pro-
poSals that have been brought forward
from time to time in informal dis
cussiCns by the press and peace or
ganizations.
The president has been guided
largely by what Colonel 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 ac-
ceptance of mediation.
No Formal Tenders Made.
Mr.. Wilson himself said last Tues
day to the Washington correspond
ents that no tenders of good offices
had been made to any of the warning
powers, but that all foreign govern
ments we'll understood the willing
ness Of the United States to pave the
way for an approach to peace.
one fundamental thing the presi-
dent has learned which has affected
the efforts of the United states to
make peace is the unpreparedness Of
public opinion in some of the belliger-
ent countries as to terms which they
fear their adversarics might advance
or that are already discussed.
Colonel House observed during his
trip to Europe that public opinion i'm
those countries was most inslstent on
terms which the governments of those
countries already had learned in vari-
GUS ways would not be acceptable to
their opponents. In all countries he
found there had developed among the
masses a desire for a settlement that
would be commensurate with the sac
rifice in blood and treasure. IL left to
the diplomatists in Europe alone a re-
turn to the territorial status quo would
perhaps not be difficult, some of the
information indicated.
About Freedom of Seas"
In Germany IL seemed tnAI the OD-
iect Of a large and influential party
was to prepare public opinion for a
realization of the idea that Germany's
best interests lie in colonial eXpan-
sion and the incidental development
of overseas commerce rather than in
territorial extension in Europe. The
question which Colonel House thinks
likely will play most important part
in any peace negotiations is free
dom Of the seas the principle that
the property of all private citizens
except contraband shall be exempt
from capture or seizure on the high
seas in time of war.
Colonel House is known to be a
supporter of the freedom OF the
seas" principle, and in his discussion
Of the subject while abroad there is
some reason to believe that ne had
the sanction of the president. Col
onel House found in Great Britain a
widely varying opinion. Neither the
president nor Colonel House would
make any formal statement tonight
in their conferences.