The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-23
MAY SOON
URGE VARS CESSATION
Believed to Have Definite Plan Which
He Will Spring a& Earliest
Promising Moment
MESSAGE AND
SENDS 1T TO PRINTER
Neutral Diplomat Suggests Armistice
as One Way OF Restoring Sanity to
War Crazcd Europe-AlI Look to
President Wilson.

Washington. Nov. 2a--The report
that this government will soon take
some step formally to urge peace in
Europe was emphasized today by
long conference at the White House
between President Wilson and DR..
Paul Ritter. minister from Switzer-
land.
The diplomat In understood to have
assured the chief executive tho
Swiss government would lend every
possible aid in An effort to end the
war II lie known DR.. Ritter is anxious
to have the peace delegates meet In
Switzerland and he IL believed 70 have
extended the invitation today.
No details OF the conference with
DR.. Ritter were made bubble
Publicity at this slime would be
most harmful" said nj member OF the
White House family. Not day
passes that the PRECEDENT does not
nave the matter under consideration,
but It is too soon to talk"
A member Of the Cabinet quoted the
President as having made this state
ment: n
portunity 10 accomplish results in the
lem before the civilized world
Completes Message.
The President completed his mes
sage late this afternoon and sent II
over to the executive offices to be for
warded to the public printer. 1t con-
tanned no suggestion that Congress
should place an embargo on food ex-
ports. The President had in mind. It
is said, when he considered this vital
subject that the belligerents might
construe II as an act of selfishness
that would eliminate from his peace
suggestions the tone OF genuine sin
certify which prompts him in the mat
ter.
The message in decfar~d to carry
formal notification to Europe
that the United states very great
~ desires peace and stands ready
to act promptly on any sugEe~tion
that may be made.
The Presidents desire to keep the
details of his peace plans secret lie
said to be due to definite Information
that there are strong factions among
all of the bell!gerents who feel that
the war should be fought to decisive
end. These factions are linked close
1y with large and powerful financial
institutions In the United States. The
Deief prevails AT tne White Rouse
that these financial interests would
not hesitate TO place obstacles in the
WAY OF any movement which conhicted
with their money-making schemes.
The charge Of demanding peace nj
a period when either side could claim
distinct advantage Is also to be
avoided If the plan Ia to be successful,
President Wilson believes. He re
Gently observed that tinkertng with
Europe was like :inkering with the
sentiments OF our own people. so
closely is the population OF the United
States linked by blood with every
country engaged in the titanic strug-
gle.
The analysis made by PRECEDENT
Wilson. himself. OF tho November Z
election has convinced him that tho
German vote cast against him did not
indicate hostility TO his policies in a
degree sufficient to cause alarm. There
IA no indication In administration cir
cles of strong sympathy for Germany's
manner of carrying on the war. but
the impression is known to prevail
that the Kaiser's government will be
willing to consider peace terms as
soon az the allies are willing to enter
negotiations with the central powers
on an even footing.
All Lock to Wilson.
The representative of one Of Eu-
ropes foremost neutral countries said
today:
"All neutral Europe, and perhaps
many people In the warning countries.