Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-18
SUGGESTS FUND
OF S500,O00,00O
AS AID TO PEACE
Walcott Wants America to
Act for Relief of Non
cOmbatants.
WOULD TEND TO CREATE
POPULAR MOVE TO END WAR
Washington Officials Waiting
Word as to What Reply May
Be Expected From Allies.
INFORMAL ADVICES RECEIVED
President Will Take No Action I'm
til Lloyd George Makes Speech
WOULD TEND TO CREATE
POPULAR MOVE TO END WAR
INFORMAL ADv1CEs RECEIVED
President Will Take No Action Un-
til Lloyd George Makes Speech
Before Commons.
IBy Annotated Press. !

TBy Associated Press
WASHINGTON. December 17.-Fred-
erick c. walcott OF New York. who
recently Investigated conditions in Po-
land and Belgium for the Rockefeller
Foundation. told a number OF Senator'S
and Representatives who met tonight
at the home of Miss Mabel T. Board
man, OF the Red Cross. that a fund of
oo,0o0.0o0 collected in this country
and offered for relief OF noncomhatants
in Europe would be n powerful peace
influence at this time. He said such
an act would tend to create popular
demonstrations for peace among civil
ian populations OF warning nations. be-
cause they would be anxious for the
assistance In rchabilitat!ng their homes
and restoring normal living conditions
Mr.. walcott suggested that fund
Of that size should be raised b. com
bIned popular subscriptions and con-
gressional appropriations. Considering
the wealth OF the United States. he de-
clared 1t was not an exorbtant sum
to give. Since 1914 the estimated
aggregate accommodating income has
been 100000, 900. 300. and the combined
offerings for war sufferers has
amounted TO s4o.ooo.ooo. or one
twentieth OF / per cent or the In
come.
with forwarding the notes OF the
central powers proposing peace pro-
rosals. official and diplomatic quar-
ters are now awaiting with the pro-
foundcst interest some word indicat
ing wiia: !aturs OF replies may be ex
pccted from the entente powers
President Wilson. II was indicat ed
at the White House to-day. Is wait
ing for the speech TO be delivered 4
the House OF Commons by the new
British Prime Minister. Lloyd Gcora
before taking any further action
behalf OF peace. The next move is
up to the allies. and II is tho view
OF administration officials that moth
ing could be gained now by the pres
entation OF any suggestions offers
on the part OF the United States gov
ernment.
OFFER WILL NOT BE
FLATLY REJECTED
Intimations that the German offer
10 discuss peace would not be natly
rejected by the allies have been re-
ceived in Washington. While tSese
were OF an informal nature. tl>,y
we're suficiently strong to convince
the President that more opportune
occasion for action by this government
would. In all probability. be present ed
after the receipt OF the allied answer
TO the German note.
1t was argued that II the allies were
going to give due consideration to the
German proposal. nothing could be
gained now by urging them to do so.
and. In fact. such action by the
United States might put the admins
tration in a position where It would
be more difficult to offer meditation or
suggestions for a conference at later
stage Of the proceedings This is un
derstood to have been the view also
of several neutral legations. and II was
shared to certain extent by the Teu-
tonic embassies.
Lloyd Georges speech, which he is
scheduled to deliver in the House OF
Commons next Tuesday Is expected to
contain hint as to what form Of ac-
don, II any. by neutrals would not be
unwelcome to the British government
1t may also foreshadow the reply Of the
allies to the peace proposals. For these
reasons the President is waiting and
his action thereafter will largely be
guided by the tenor OF that speech.
PRESIDENT OPTIMISTIC
OVER CHANCE OF SUCCESS
1t was stated positively to-day that
the President has definite plans which
he hopes to put into effect, and that
he Is optimistic regarding the possi-
blity Of some good coming from the
German offer.
1t is not believed here. however, that
Lloyd George Will deliver the speech
rs early as Tuesday. When he was
too Ill to speak last Thursday. atten-
tion was called in neutral embassies
to the exceeding delicacy Of the situa-
ton, and the prediction was then made
that 1t would be several days. at least.
before he would recover sufficiently to
outline the governments position
No surprise was experienced to-day
therefore, when the dispatches from
London indicated that the Premier had
temporarily lost the use OF his voice
The prediction was freely hazarded that
It would be week or ten days longer
before he would recover its use sufi-
ciently to outline the attitude OF his
government regarding the German pro-
posals Tt was pointed out that Eng
land would have to consult with her
allies before she would make known
her position, and that communication
IA, some Instances Is slow and difficult
One of the reasons that actua ted
President Wilson not to make any sug-
gestions In transmitting the proposals
to the allies is stated to be the fact
that the allies already believe a fiat
rejection by them Of the German offer
would turn sympathy against them in
4, the neutral countries. The allied en-
bassieS2in Washington have reported
to theit Rhome Offices that many news
papers Nh this country which have
y (CoGtinued on Second Page)