Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-23
WILSON CONSIDERING
STEPS TO BRING PEACE
Has Long Conference With DIR. Paul
Ritter, Minister From
Switzerland.
COMPLETES HIS MESA T.
Said 10 Carry Notification to Europe
That United States Desires to End
War and Is Ready to- Act on Sug-
gcStiOns.

'''AhN w tiTTt to Europe
That United States Desires to End
War and Is Ready to Act on Sug-
gcStions.
WASHINGTON. November a2.--rhc
report that this government soon Will
take some step formally to urge peace
IN Europe was emphasized o-day by "a
long conference at the White House
between President Wilson aud Dr
Paul Ritter. minister from Switzcr.
land.
The diplomat is understood To have
assured tho chief executive the Swiss
= government would lend every possible
aid in an effort to end the war.
1t was admitted that President Will
son has his agents in the field and vii.
launch plan as soon as there is the
slightest assurance that it can be made
cHcctive. No details of the conference
with DR.. Ritter were made public
publicity at this time would be most
harmful said "A member OF tho White
House family. Not a day passes that
The President does no, have the mat
ter under considerations. but it is too
soon to talk
WILL TAKE ADVANTAGES:
or FIRST OPPORTt NIFTY
y member Of the Cabinet quoted the
= Prcsident as having made this state
nent:
have my car 10 the ground ana
wIil take advantage OF the first oppor.
iunity 10 accomplish results in the way
of peace. 1t is tho biggest problem be
fore the civilized world"
Tho President completed his mes
sage lat" this afternoon and sent il
over TO tho executive offices TO he for
wardcd TO the public printer. II con
'hined no suggestion that Congress
should place an embargo ON food "N-
ports. The President had in mind. II is
}. said. when he considered this vital sub
y 1cct, that III" b"llgercnis might CON
strue II as act Of scifshncss tha,
would eliminate from his peace sur-
S"stions tho tone OF genuine sincerity
which prompts him in the matter
The message is declared TO carry a
formal notification to Europe ;hat the
United States very greatly desires peace
and stands ready to act pronptlv OF,
any suggestion that may De made
FACTIONS SAID TO FAVOR
CONTINUATION OF WAN
The Presidents desire To keep the
details OF his peace plans secret is
SAID 10 be due To definite information
mat ihcr" ar" strong factions among
all tn" belligcrrnts who feel that tn.
wa should u" fought 10 "a decisive end
These factions arc linked closely with
large and powerful financial insiitu-
lions in the United Sta.cs Tn. belief
prevails at the Whit" House that these
financial interests would not hesitate
TO place obstacles IL; the way OF any
movement which ccnnictcd with their
ney-nakinr schemes
The charge OF demanding peace at a
period when either side could claim "A
distinct advantage Is also TO be avoid
ed. II the plan il 70 hc successful, Pres
idcnt Wilson believes.
The ~ Iysir a..
son himself Of the November : cleo
ton has convinced him that the Cor.
man vote cast against him did not in
dictate hostility TO his policies in :. de-
gree sufficient 20 cause alarm .rh.r.
is no indication in administration cir
cleS OF strong sympathy for Gcrrnanv's
manner OF carrying on the war. but the
impression Is known to prevail thar
the kaScrs government viii bc willing
to consider peace terms as soon as the
allies are willing to enter negotiations
with tho central powers on an even
footing.
LOOKING TO WILSON
TO START MOVEMENT
The representative of one OF Europe's
foremost neutral coutricS said to-day:
All neutral Europe, and perhaps
many people in the warning countries.
look TO President Wilson TO Initiate the
peace movement.
The neutral nations sec the So,nma
offensive suspended: Tho central en- :
pres and Bulgaria advancing in Rou-
mania: the entente forces advancing in
Serbia: elsewhere there is not likely
to be another major offensive until the
spring.
These neutral countries believe IL
President Wilson would suggest TO the
hghting governments mat they arrange
an armisticc for. say. one month and
to send representatives to some place
where they ba
green table and discuss a possible
peace, the soldiers will not be sent into
battle again.
The armistice need cover only ac-
tual fighting: both sides could be left
free to do whatever they pleased be-
hind their lines.
This plan would give peace and rea :
son chance, would discover the means.
il there are any. of bringing the war 10
an end.
CONFERENCE MIGHT
DE HELD IN WASHINGTON
The conference might be held In
Washington under the presidency of
President Wilson: at The Hague or i'm
Switzerland. The two latter places
would afford perfect telegraph and
courier facilities if the delegates de-
sired to keep in closest and quickest
touch with their respective govern
mcnts
"Withot some action from a neutral
source, 1T is doubtful if the war can he
stopped possibly for years. But with
an appeal in the name of humanity
and civilization such AS President Will
Son.would make. the belligerents would
he compelled by world opinion to pause.
would mark the beginning Of the
peace
EIGHT-HOUR LAW