The Washington herald., 1916-12-22
ENJOYS HASTEN
TO SEE LANSING
Practically All Diplomats Call
at State Department for
Conference.

Secretary Lansing had the hardest
day since he succeeded William Jen-
nIngs Bryan as premier yesterday. 1t
was diplomatic day, when all diplo-
mats may call without previous ap-
pointment, and hardly single diplo-
mat failed to visit the department for
a personal word with the Secretary
and to ask for himself whether there
was anything to be learned that had
not been covered in the public an
nouncement. The German, British,
Japanese, Italian and Brazilian Am
bassadors were among the first to call.
They were quickly followed by Min
isters and Charges.
And for the first time since the
outbreak of the war, Eddie" Savoy,
the Secretary's confidential messen-
ger, was forced to open three recep-
tion rooms, one for each OF the bellig-
erents, and one for the neutrals. But
even then there was a near collision.
Just when Count Won Bernstorff
was being ushcred from his confer
ence with Mr.. Lansing, he came face
to face with Sir Cecil Spring Rice,
the British Ambassador.
Enyoys Do Not SPEAK.
Although before the war they had been
very close friends. neither evinced the
slightest knowledge Of who the other was
although later the German Ambassador
said lit was too dark in the corridor"
to see anyone.
Each of the visiting diplomats was given
an official copy OF the Presidents note,
tents. They also were told by Mr.. Lam
sing that copies already had been sent
to their home governments. The entente
representatives admitted that they had
been greatly surprised by the action Of
the United States. They had had no
warning that the President had any such
course under construction and declined
to venture a guess as to the reception
the proposition would get when it reached
their home governments.
Count Won Bernstorn maintained his
optimistic attitude. He reiterated his
belief that this action would result in a
peace conference of the belliserents with
in a reasonable time. He insisted that
the note of the United States is bound to
have great weight, backed, as 1t will be,
by the influences Of the neutrals.
NeutraIs Keep Mum.
The neutral diplomatic representatives
refused to make any statements for pub
lication pending word from their home
governments. They said they had no
doubt that their governments would en-
dorsss in tNn statements
President wus0n.
This was especially so If the repre-
sentatives of the buffer nations
Switzerland, Denmark. Norway and
Sweden and of Holland. At the latter
legation 1t was said there was no doubt
that "the people OF Holland will applaud
the action of the United States and sup
port It in every way"
Senior Riano, the Spanish Ambassador.
said that he felt very optimistic over
the outlook for a restoration OF peace.
The position of the European neutral
Representatives, judging from their
guarded conversation, which distinctively
was not for publication, was that they
felt that the President had squarely put
UP to the belligerentS the honesty Of their
professions that they were fighting tc
safeguard humanity and for their owu
existence. II this was 80. then, these
diplomats said, the enemies must con-
sent to q peace conference.
Reference to the possible concert of na.
tions was said to be q splendid strategic
stroke by the President 1t was felt that
the majority Of the beliigerents favored
such a plan and that they might see ar
advantage In agreeing to It