The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-05

VINO ieO the peace expedition which
left here December 4 on the steamer
Oscar II for Copenhagen in the hope
Of bring about conference of
neutral nations that would end the
war, arrived here today on the steam
ship Bergensfjord. He confirmed ca
BILE reports that his return had been
hastened by illness. but said he in
tended when he left to come back
this month.
Mr.. Ford declared his views regard
ing the cause of the war have under
gone a marked change. When he left,
he said, he was Of the opinion that
bankers and manufacturers of muni-
tions and armament were responsible
but he returns with the belief that it
Is the people themselves. those being
who are responsible. The
men doing the fighting have been too
content to let those who rule them do
their thinking and they have not taken
of their divine right to say
for themselves what they shall do
and think, the pacifist asserted.
Republics are no better than mon
arches in this respect" he said. Even
in the United States we let those
whom we have elected to office be
swerved from their duty. We do not
assert ourselves. Personally. I have
been a voter 81 years and in all that
time have voted only six times, and
then because. my wife made me-"
or the eventual success OF the peace
mission, Mr.. Ford declared he had no
doubt. "The movement is now or
and under way he said.
People are talking about it, and
while some criticse when people talk
they think and when they think they
think right,
Mr.. Ford's future plans with respect
to the peace expedition were uncer-
tain. no said. He left the party in
charge Of CASTOR p. LAntiff, he stated,
in accordance with his original plans:
and despite all reports to the con-
trary. when the party left the Oscar
II. 1t was as harmonious as could be
desired.
"The main idea of the mission"
continued Mr.. Ford, was to crystal
ize into concrete form, IL. possible.
the various ideas and hopes for peace
which prevail all over the world. The
nations doing the fighting would be
glad to stop. IL they could. I believe,
but they are afraid to let 60.
Those who accompanied me on the
Oscar II were as fine a body of people
for that particular mission as could
ask, and the interested delegates that
met us at Christiania were all good
men. I am simply financing and car
rying out as far as possible the work
set under way last year at the meet
ing at The Hague Of the Womens
international Peace congress. This
work ultimately will bring Europe to-
Its senses and stop the war.
III what have done will bring
peace only one day nearer, I shall be
more than repaid. Every day the war
is shortened will save 10000 lives,
and 10000 lives will mean much to-
ward restoring order and normal con-
ditions.
III necessary will again go to
Europe and If 1t will help matters i
Will charter another ship. I am not
doing 1t for personal glory. gain or
advertising. I have more money now
than can use and 1 feel I am SIM
ply custodian Of what have. It was
entrusted to me by the people. some
of whom are today fighting in the
trenches"
Commenting on the preparedness
issue in President Wilson's message.
Mr.. Ford said:
II am against preparedness, as pre-
paredness means war. 1t would be
better for the administration to find
out first If the people themselves want
armament. If they do. they will
eventually get'what Europe is getting
now. AS to other features Of Presi-
dent Wilson's message. especially with
reference to trade and a greater mer-
chant marine. we are all with him on
that"
At the request Of Secretary McAdoo,
Dudley Field Malone. collector Of the
port, arranged for Mr.. Ford, a men,
Der of the naval consulting board, to
be taken off the Bergensfjord on "a
special customs cutter as soon as the
ship cleared quarantine.
William Jennings Bryan conferred