The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-02-17
PLAN FOR PEACE
QUIETLY ON FOOT
Col. House I'm Europe AS
Wilson's Agent.
WILL SOUND THE SITUATION
Sent AS the Presidents Per-
sOnal Representative In
Regard To Mediation.
NEUTRAL POLICY MAINTAINED

London. Feb. 12.-While not en-
powered to act officially, Col. r.. NJ.
House. the personal representative
of President Wilson, has reached
London on a mission that may eX-
ercise a potential influence in pro-
noting peace between the warning
nations of Europe.
Col. House arrived by the Lusita-
mia. and is accompanied by his wife.
His stay in London will be brief.
The length of his visit to Continen-
tai countries will depend upon the
result of his investigation. under
taken at the instance of the Amer
lean President, to whom he viii
make frequent confidential cable
and mail reports.
The utmost secrecy surrounds the
mission of Col. House. The only
public announcement made regard
ing il is that he has been commits
stoned by the President to effect q
coordination of the various relief
ventures undertaken under the SUI
pervision of the United States.
In this capacity he will inquire
into the status of these undertake
ings, with particular reference to
! Improvement in the matter of trans
porting the food and money solely
I intended TO relieve distress and col
iected and forwarded under Ameri-
can auspices.
II is the understanding, neverthe'
| less, Of diplomatic officials at Lon
don. Paris, Berlin, Petrograd and
| Vienna that Col. House is on mis-
sion Of even greater significance
the result of which may go far to
ward promoting the expanding ef-
| forts to bring about termination
of hostilities.
From diplomatic source thai
/ justifes authoritative acceptance
/ Tie, World correspondent has OBJ
tanned comprehensive view of tn,
actual purposes of the mission OF
Col. House.
l'noflicially Col. House is to con
duct an inquiry TO ascertain the
feeling of the European Govern
ments at war entirely through III,
Ambassadorial representatives O
the American Government at Lon
don. Paris. Berlin. PetIOgrad anC
I Vienna.
1t is apparent from the instruc
tions under which Col. House II
proceeding that the American Pres
ident has not departed in the slight
est degree from the policy estab
lished by him in August last, SoOl
after the invasion of Belgium by th'
German forces the President mad
formal tender of his services "a
mediator.
Col. House viii therefore MAKE
no further representation in tina
respect on the part of the tnite'
States. But he is intrusted Will
the duty Of collecting information
which may form Il basis for the re
newal of the mediation offer by IN
United States.
The Interpretation placed upoi
the mission OF Col. House by diplo
mats is that he will proceed wit
the greatest caution in carrying on
the wishes Of President Wilson. am
In no way justify a criticism tina
The United States is DESTROYS of in
terfering or influencing any of TIL
powers at war.
That there have been exchange
of representations between the Rus
sian and Austrian Foreign Office
on the one hand and the American
Government on the other. durin
the last month, is known here. |
is more than probable that thes'
representations have contribute,
largely to the mission upon whicl
Col. House is now engaged.