New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-19
Address Before Taft's
League Expected to
Interest Europe.
MAY GIVE HINT
ON ENDING WAR
Washington Believes That
Chance Will Be Offered
for Mediation.
lFrom Tie Tribune Bureau

- rom INc Tribune Bureau.
Washington. May President Will
sons views on the prospects of peace
in Europe are expected to become
known when he addresses the League
to Enforce Peace here on May 26 or 27.
The President to-day accepted the
leagues invitation to speak. EXPresi-
dent Taft is chairman Of the league.
This chance to talk about peace
comes at an opportune time, the Presi-
dents friends believe. Mr.. Wilson has
been in an embarrassing position as re-
CARDS mediation. Early in the war he
let it be known that he would take
steps toward bringing the belligerents
together whenever one of them re-
quested il. AS no nation has yet
availed itself of the offer, he has felt
bound TO keep silent.
It is known, however, that he believes
much could be accomplished toward
fastening the end Of the war by
friendly mediation, provided the mo-
tives Of the mediator could be made
clear 20 the belIigerents. Recently
high officials Of several OF the bellig-
erents have made public declarations
on peace which sound to the President
like a hint. But he wants to be sure of
his ground before he breaches the sub
ject TO any.
Will Interest Europe.
While no details OF what the Presi-
dent will say in his address next week
were disclosed, il is understood he
will make statement on the subject
OF peace calculated TO attract deep in
tcrest in European capitals. The ad-
dress will be carefully thought out IN
advance. since the President fully real
ICES the significance of anything he
may say on the subject.
Attention was centred on the peace
question here to-day because it was the
anniversary Of the first Hague con
ference, which was observed by meet
ings in several cities OF the United
States and in other neutral nations.
The Washington branch of the Wom-
ans Peace party adopted resolutions
urging the President TO call confer
ence of neutral nations to try 10 end
the war. The resolutions. reciting the
belief that only the proffer of media
tory services was needed TO initiate the
peace negotiations, were taken TO the
President.
Mr.. Wilson is known TO be giving
deep consideration TO the possibility Of
bringing about peace and to have made
collection Of every authoritative
statement on the subject made by any
responsible official in the belligerent
nations since the outbreak OF the war.
Believe Time to Act Is Near
While officials realize that much Of
the peace discussion may be propa-
canda. aimed to fix the responsibility
for continuing the war, they neyerthe-
less believe IL is entirely possible the
time is rapidly approaching when peace
nronosals may be welcomed by all the
belligerents.
II il believed that the only reason
the President has not repeated formal
lv the offer of mediation made soon
after the outbreak of the war IS that
bo has regarded il as best TO walt
until there were reasonable grounds
for thinking that such step would
be fsvorsbly received. c.
A dispatch from London says that SIR
Edward Grey announced in the House
Of Commons to-day that the govern
ment had been informed by Sir Henry
Howard. British Minister at the Esti-
can. that representations have been
made to Germany By the Vatican with
q view to inducing Germany to absn-
don submarine warfare.
Confidential advices received here
from Berlin tell Of message being
sent TO the German government by the
Vatican. hut il was described as similar
IN the one recently sent 10 President
Wilson when a break between the
United States and Germany seemed I'M
minent.
Tho message was represented As eX-
messing the hope that there would be
no breach Of relations and offered the
good Offices Of the Pope TO prevent one
Germany Stree has replied TO '.e Nati-
can. expressing appreciation o. the SEN
timents contained in the note and add
ING that at this time the good Offices
Of the Pope wee not need,