Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-30
NEUTRALS DECLARE
FOR PEACE PLANS
Switzerland, Sweden, Norway
and Denmark in Line with
Note of the President.
SPEEDY ACTION IS URGED

SPEEDY ACTION IS URGED
Washington, Dec. 29,-The joint
peace note from Norway, Sweden and
Denmark arrived here today and will
be made public later.
Another peace note from one OF the
Scandinavian countries was received
at the State department. Further than
to say that it was not an answer to
President Wilson'S note, Secretary
Lansing refused to discuss it.
The Norwegian note, with which
those from Denmark and Sweden are
identical, follows:
1T is with the most lively interest
that the Norwegian government has
learned of the proposals which the
president Of the United States has
just made with the purpose of facili-
tating measures looking toward the
establishment of durable peace,
while at the same time seeking to
avoid any interference which could
cause pain to belligerents' feelings.
"The Norwegian government would
consider itself failing in its duties to-
ward its own people and toward all
humanity if it did not express its
deepest sympathy with all efforts
which could contribute to put an end
to the ever-increasing suffering and
the moral and material losses.
1T has every hope that the initia-
tive of President Wilson will arrive
at result worthy of the high pur-
pose which inspired it."
Note Handed to Morris.
Stockholm (Via London), Dec. %.
k. A. Wallenberg, foreign minister
of Sweden, today handed to Ira Mel
son Morris, the American minister,
the Scandinavian countries peace
note to the belligerents for transmits
sion to Washington. When Mr., Nor
ris delivered President Wilson's note
to Mr.. Wallenberg on December 81
the foreign minister eyinced profound
interest in the desireN for peace, and
the note handed to Mr.. Morris re-
fleets this as the feeling prevailing
throughout Scandinavia.
Swiss Explains Part.
Bologna, Dec. 2o.-(Via Paris. y
President Schulthess Of Switzerland
has explained the part played by his
country in the recent steps in favor
of peace in an interview with Signor
Qualici, editor of the Resto Del
Carlino. President Schulthess is
quoted as saying:
Switzerland had nothing whatever
to do with President Wilson's note
The federal council got into com
munication with the American gov
ernment in order to learn if the latter
intended to do anything in favor Of
peace and simply received copy
Of the note at the same time as the
beili9ersnts. The council has decided
10 support the note, Inspired By an ar
dent desire to see termination rap-
idly put to the suffering caused by this
terrible war. Of which the Swiss peo-
pie has daily evidence in the shape
Of intcrned invalids and civilians from
places ordered evacuated.
II do not know what will be the
fate Of the neutral proposals, and in
any case Switzerland has no intention
of interfering with the affairs of the
belligerents. But it considers it its
duty to make known to them that it is
ready to hel. exchange views, in the
event of its seeming desirable"
The president said that he was as
tonished at the rumors Of fears of
the violation of Swiss neutrality. 81
cannot conceive" he said, that any
of the belligerents harbor the idea of
passing through our country. It would
not be to their advantage. In addi-
ton to the great difficulty of terrain,
they would be confronted with the Wig
orous resistance Of the Swiss army
and the whole people. My country
knows only one form of neutrality, and
that is absolute neutrality. Let there
be no mistake. In the presence of
external danger. no matter from what
side it comes, Switzerland will be
united, notwithstanding differences in
race and language"
Scandinavians Favor Peace.
London, Dec. 2o.-The Scandi-
navian governments have sent joint
note to, belligcrents supporting the
peace note of President Wilson.
. A Reuter- dispatch from Copen-
hagen says the Danish, Swedish and
Norwegian governments have in
structed their legations to address to
the governments of the belligerent
countries notes in which the Scandi-
navian governments, adhering to the
note-of President Wilson concerning
measures to be adopted for facilitating
durable peace, assert they would
consider themselves as failing in their
duty toward their respective peoples
and toward humanity as a whole if
they did not express their most pro-
found sympathy with every effort
which may contribute toward putting
an end to the sufferings and losses,
moral and material, which are ever
growing in consequence of the war.
The three governments cherish the
hope that the initiative taken by Presi-
dent Wilson will lead to result
worthy of the generous spirit which