The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-25
General Understanding APP
parent Among Neutrals to
Support the President
UNANIMOUS DEMAND BY
NEUTRALS ANTICIPATED
Wilson's Peace Note Has Gem
eral Support in Europe and
in South America - New
World Alliance in Sight

Washington. Dec GA general
concert Of action among the neutrais
OF the world to bring the European
war to an end became apparent here
tonight
The announcement by the State De
partment that Switzerland, in a note
TO the beliigerents. had unquaIifiedlv
endorsed President Wilson's initial
peace move, revealed q general UNI
derstanding among the neutral ma
tons, to support the President
Washington accepted the Develop
ments as certain indication that the
whole mighty power of the worlds
neutrals, headed by the United States
will insist that the warning nations
make clear and definite their reasons
for continuing the slaughter. Neutra,
diplomats were practically unanimous
in declaring tonight that they expect
ed all of the neutral nations to JOIN
Switzerland in endorsing the prest.
dents course. either through formal
notes, or through instructions to their
representatives here to acqualnt the
State Department with their favorabis
views.
Look for Unanimous Demand.
There was evidence in Washington
tonight that the Presidents intention,
to demand that the beIIigerents sav
what they are fighing for was at least
known to the governments of prae-
tically all of the neutral nations. Il
Il did not have their informal en-
dorsement. before it was dispatched.
Diplomats were tonight convinced
that before many weeks the befIiger-
ents will be confronted by a unani-
nous demand from the neutral world,
based on President Wilson's first step.
Tho strength of concerted action by
the neutrals cannot be over estimated.
The belligerent powers would be
FORCED to think long and deeply be-
fore disregarding the wishes or de-
mAnds OF the entire neutral world.
Many OF the means of continuing the
struggle, at least so far as the en-
tente powers are cohIe-ced. are in the
control Of the neutrals, and COWS
certed demand would force considera
ton. Neither the British nor the Ger.
man embassy would discuss today's
peace developments, but 1t was APP
parent that both were inclined to look
more seriously upon the Presidents
peace note. when 1t appeared to hays
general neutral support
Keystone Of New Alliance.
What sort of diplomatic UNDER
standing there may be among the
neutrals was subject of deep specula-
ton here tonight. Despite the time
honored policy OF the United States
against "entangling alliances abroad.~
the administration for some time has
let II be known that It would not
hesitate to join In any concert OF
action for peace. It In possible that
the entire foreign policy OF the nation
may be supported, and the United
States may fnd itself the keystone OF
a new world alliance.
Efforts OF neutral nations, particu-
iariy Sweden to form q neutral en-
tente have failed during the mast wear.
ostensibly because Of the American
prejudice against entangling alliances.
whether the present effort to concen-
trate the efforts Of the neutrals has
overcome that prejudice was not clear
tonight.
The note from Switzerland how
ever, made 1t clear that the mountain
republic has been in touch with the
PRESIDENT in his peace efforts. for :
considerable time" Tho note. hrfef
and to tho point states that the Presi.
dents initial move has the unqualified
support OF the Swiss government. Ii
anticipates that his declaration will
find a mighty echo In Switzerland.s
South Americans Impressed.
Senior Don Ignacio Coledron. the
Bolivian minister. and dean Of the
south American diplomatic corps. waa
Swiss note. and hailed IT ms the be-
ginning of a mighty effort OF neu.
trail powers, acting in unison, to bring
about peace.
Other neutrals may be expected to
follow switzerlands step endorsing &
President Wilson's peace movc.r Dr.
Calderon said South Alnertcan \
countries. probably without a single
exception. are in hearty sympathy 81
with the Presidents suggestion. ard I
undoubtedly will give expression ~ 3
their devout hopes for peace in forth
coming communications"
w. A. #. Ekengren, the Ewedish II
minister. of the Scandinavian gYoup
OF countries. declared tonight that Eue
ropean neutrals probably would COM
munfcate. formally or informally. ~
pressions similar to those publishea
BY the Swiss Federal Council. Dr.
Ekensfes believed that q. psutfa
would Join In . universal demand e.
peace. The Swedish minister sid fha1 &
white he had no instructicnsL 1kSu1
his government since the dtopatph n ii
the Presidents note. he oond1en11Iss
expected that the Swedish xovaxH
ment's position would b made nl11 I'M
at an early date. Senior Don m s
Riano. the Spanish ambassaApr. m IN 4
wise was without ofIlciaI word I'm 81
Madrid a. what the attitp6a " G6G1 M
Will be. but he was quick ~ eNe m M
Significance Of the Swis1 aAnon 1G = : H
msnt. a. the forsrunner M VI
other communicn&tSns IA ~ t11ieS
1feu esAer ne1tSa1 eag4e11 b Al