The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-22

two
government was considering any
change In It's policy Of neutrality
which II has consistently pursued
In tho taco Of constantly increas-
Ing dsfAcult$es. I regret that my
! words wcr~ open to any other
construction, ~ now realize
they were. think that the whole
tonc and language Of tho notes To
hclliy crcnis show the purpose
4 without further comment on my
part Ii Is NEEDLESS To say that
am unrcscrycdly In support of
!, that purpo~e and hope to see II
accomplished"
Has Hard Day.
The secretary had the hardest day
3 since he succeeded Colonel William
Jennings Bryan as premier. This
was diplomatic day. when all diplo-
mats NAV call without previous en-
gagement. and hardly a single diplo-
mat failed to visit the department for
a personal word with the secretary
and ask of himself whether there was
ANYTHING to be learned that had not
been covered in the public announce
ment The German. British. Japan
ese. Italian and brazilian amhassa-
doris were among the first to cali
They were quickly followed by minis
ters and charges And for the first
time since the outbreak OF the war
Eddie" Savoy. the secretary's con-
fdent!al messenger, was forced 10
open three reception rooms. one for
zach of the belligerents and one for
the neutrals
Rriton and Tcuton Meet.
Bu, even then there was near
b. Nnt
Bernsforff was being ushered from
his conference with Mr., Lansing he
came face to face with Sir Cecil
Spring Rice. the British ambassador.
Although before the war they had
been very close personal friends,
neither evinced the slightest knowl-
edge OF who the other was. although
later the German ambassador said.
1T was too dark in the corridor to
sec any one.
Each Of tho visiting diplomats were
given an Official copy of the presi-
dents note, although all were familiar
with the contents. They also were
told BY Mr Lansing that copies al /
ready had been sent 10 their home /,
governments. The entente represent |
atfves admitted that they had been |
p. greatly surprised hy the action of the |
United states They had no warning |
that the President had any such |
course under .onslderation and de- |
ciined TO venture guess as to the re-
ception the proposition would get
when If reached their home govern
ments.
Won RerTastorfT Optimistic.
Count Won Berustorff maintained /
his optimistic attitude. He reiterated |
his belief that this action would re-
Ear eft "A
t.elligerents within reasonable time.
He insisted that the note of the United
States is bound TO have great weight.
backed as Il will be by the influence
Of the neutra1s
The neutral diplomatic representa-
tives refused to make any statements
for publication pending word from
their home governments They said
they had no doubt that their govern
ments would endorse in every way the
statements Of President Wilson. This
was especially so OF the representa-
tives of the buffer" NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Land Denmark. Norway. Sweden and
Holland At the latter legation II was
said there was no doubt that 'the
people OF Holland will applaud the
action of the United States and sup
port 1t In every way"
Senior Riano. the Spanish am
bassa dor, said that he felt very Opt
mistic'' over the outlook for restor-
alton of peace. The position of the
European neutral representatives.
Judging from their guarded CONVEX |
sation. which distinctly was not for |
publication, was that they felt that |
the President had squarely put up 10 |
the heiltgerents the honesty of their
professions that they were fighting TO
safeguard humanity and for their own
existence If this was so. then, these |
diplomats said the enemies must |
consent to Il peace conference.
Reference to the possible concert of
nations was said to be splendid
strategic stroke by the President. II
was felt that the majority of the
felligerents favored such a plan and
that they might see an advantage in
agreeing to II.
Popc's Representative Speaks.
The Vatican is expected to CO.
operate with tho President IL given
the opportunity Speaking for Mgr
Bonzano. the Papal envoy. Father
Rurraee his secretary. said;
president Wilson has taken a
good step We devoutly hope that IL
will be fruitful in Inspiring such fur
Their expressions from the bei!igerents
as will open the way for peace The
Presidents communication should be
instrumental IN securing from the
helligerents such further expressions
as will open the way for peace"