New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-23
Colonel Goes to Europe as
Accredited Envoy OF
United States.
PRESIDENT DENIES
MISSION is PEACE
Wilson Seeks to Bring About
Better Understanding with
Nations Abroad.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington. Dec. 22.-Colonel He use S
mission to Europe will not be IN a pri-
yate capacity, nor merely as the close
personal friend and political adviser
Of the President. He goes as regu-
larly accredited representative OF the
United States government and VIII be
on the payroll of the State Department
Secretary Lansing and President Will
son have not decided exactly what ms
designation will be, and his salary Will
not be made public. The State Depart
ment believes, however, that he Will be
known as special diplomatic agent,
and that he will receive 81 600 a month
and expenses. as did John Lind, Chand-
Ter Anderson and others recently en-
ployed for special work by the depart
ment.
The decision TO give Colonel House
an official status is result of his trip
last spring. when his lack of official
standing was the cause OF emoarrass-
ment in his dealings with American
ministers and ambassadors. Accredited
diplomats abroad are naturally loath 70
take suggestions from or to confide IN
an unofficial envoy, whatever his ties or
friendship with the President.
The State Department insisted to-day
sion was TO convey TO American dlplo-
mats abroad an idea of the "atmos-
pherc" here. which il was impossible TO
convey in writing, and to report per-
sonallv on the sentiment in foreign
capitals. He will have no instructions
to discuss any particular international
issue, and any inquiries he may make
about peace terms will be in his unof-
fetal capacity.
Colonel House visited Secretary Lam
sing last week and was advised of the
position in which the United States gov
eminent found itself in regard 70 in
ternational questions and what rene
dial measures should be taken. lie
State Department is concerned IN Euro
mean public opinion as we'll as opinions
held by officials. Several times, 1t is
said. a lack Of understanding has pre-
vented a successful termination OF ne
gotiations.
Colonel House will visit virtually all
the capitals of Europe. During his tour
he may obtain expressions or under
standings in regard to peace negotia-
tions. Should he do so the United
States will be promptly advised. How
ever, he will make no effort to get views
on this point. The peace question, 1t is
stated. is merely incidental to his trip.
The State Department wants 1t under
stood that the visit of Colonel House
should not be construed into meaning
that there is any dissatisfaction with
any of the diplomatic representatives
Of the United States. 1t was said that
[ the contrary was true.
Hot Springs. Va. Dec. 22.-President
Wilson said to-day that the European
trip of Colonel f.. VI. House was in no
way connected with the peace move
ment. but was entirely for the purposes
outlined by Colonel House in his state
ment issued last night in New York
The colonel said his mission was to
communicate to American ambassadors
in person for the President certain in
formation, that the ambassadors might
more intimately communicate the atti
tude of the United States toward GER
tain phases of the international situa-
ton. Further than to say that Colonel
House had stated the object of his mis-
sion exactly. the President refused to
comment