The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-05
FORD PEACE PARTY
ACTIVE IN SWEDEN
(By Associated Press. J

Stockholm, Sweden, May 4.-The
Ford peace party, reduced now to a
working basis, with delegates pres
ent from the six neutral countries of
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland,
Switzerland and the United States,
has recently been very active here
and has enjoyed the official recogni-
tion of having been received by the
foreign ministers OF the three Scan
dinavian countries. To each Of these
were presented appeals addressed in
diplomatic French to the kings and
the parliaments, asking that the
neutral governments organize an Of
scial neutral conference to offer it's
services in bringing about peace.
The Ford party is now known as an
unofficial peace conference of neu-
trail nations"
The peace representatives was
graciously received here, at Copen-
hagen and at Christiana. No def
mite hope for consideration was held
out to them, however, for the min
listers declared their countries
could only act when requested to do
so by the belligerents.
The same appeal, addressed TO the
President and the parliament" of
the United States, also was offered
to the American Minister here, Ira
Nelson Morris. Mr.. Morris held,
however, that 1t did not come within
his diplomatic province to accept ap-
peals directed to the President and
to Congress, so he advised his visitors
to present the matter direct to Wash
ington.
The Ford appeal. which Is to be
presented also at Berne and The
Hague, says in part:
Has not the moment come to act?
II, by an opportune step, an inter-
vention OF neutrals, the war could be
shortened by a day, by a single day
which destroys thousands OF lives,
ought not the step be taken, no mat
ter how difflcult, how hopeless It ap-
pears?
History will severely judge the
neutral countries IL they remain !
mere spectators Of the terrible con-
fiagation. They, too, suffer by the
war, and the belligerents themselves
have submitted their cause to the
Judgment OF the neutral nations.
They have spread over every country
their White Books and Blue Books, !
and Books red and yellow. They
have made their appeal to the con-
science of the world
1.-THE neutral conference is acting
In the spirit Of The Hague Conven-
Lion Of 1907. Article H. OF the
agreement then reached distinctly
provides:
"The Powers hold that 1t is de-
,irable that one or more neutral
Powers should upon their own initia-
tive, when they Judge the circum-
stances propitious, offer their SER
vices as mediators to the belligerent
states. The exercise of this right
will never be considered by one or
he other OF the belligerents an un-
act.
Tn view OF the right and the duty
% which this agreement points, the
conference now sitting in
respectfully appeals to
he governments and parliaments Of
he neutral countries to employ
svery means to call into existence a ,
conference for official mediation be- !
tween the belligerent states" !
The peace representatives also
have had an interview with the Brit
Ish Minister here and have requested
that they be given the right to travel
freely in the belligerent countries
and that they be permitted to bring
TO Stockholm from these countries
persons in a position to advise with
the unofficial conference as to var
tous steps to be taken In the future.