The Washington herald., 1916-12-25
SWITZERLAND BACKS
WILSON'S PEACE NOTE
Support Of All Neutrals Indicated by
Mountain Republics Stand.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

and violated, our country is filled with q
deep longing for peace, and ready to as
sist by Its small means to stop the end
less suffering caused by the war and
brought before its eyes by daily contact
with the interned. and severely wounded
and those expelled, and to establish the
foundations for a beneficial cooperation
Of the peoples
.-The Swiss federal council Is therefore
glad to seize the opportunity to support
the efforts OF the President of the United
States. II would consider itself happy
II 1t could act in any. no matter how
modest way, for the approachment OF
the peoples now engaged In the struggle,
and for reaching lasting peace"
The note was delivered to the State
Department by DR.. Paul Ritter, the SWISS
Minister. and was communicated to Presi-
dent Wilson at once. The President,
while he made no public statement. was
clearly pleased with the terms Of the
Swiss Endorsement Of his position, and
the promptness with which It was forth
coming.
Secretary Lansing likewise expressed
his qualification over the Swiss note.
The strength of concerted action by
the neutrals cannot be overestimated. II
was said here last night. The belligerent
powers would be forced to think long
and deeply before disregarding the wishes
or demands Of the neutral world. Many
of the means Of continuing the struggle,
at least so far as the Teutonic powers
are concerned, are in the control Of the
neutrals, and a concerted demand would
force consideration.
Neither the British nor the German
Embassy would discuss today's peace
Developments, but it was apparent that
both were inclined to look more seriously
upon the Presidents peace note when II
appeared with general neutral support.
o. 8. Would Alter Policy.
What sort Of a diplomatic understand
ing there may be among the neutrals
was subject of deep speculation here to-
night. Despite the time-honored policy
OF the United States against "entangling
alliances abroad" the administration for
some time has let it be known that It
would not hesitate to join in any con-
that the entire foreign policy of the ma
ton may be shifted. and the United
States may find itself the keystone of a
new world alliance
Efforts of various neutral nations. par
ticularly Sweden. to form a neutral en-
tente. have failed during the past year.
cstensibly because of the American
prejudice against entanglfng alliances.
Whether the present effort to concentrate
that prejudice was not clear last night.
Senior Don Ignacio Calderon. the Bo-
livian Minister. was deeply impressed by
the tenor OF the Swiss note.
"Other neutrals may be expected to
quickly follow Switzerland's step, in
dorsing President Wilson'S peace move"
DR.. Calderon said. South American coun-
tries, probably without a single excep-
tiOn. are in hearty sympathy with the
Presidents suggestion. and undoubtedly
will give expression to their devout hopes
for peace in forthcoming communica-
tions."
W. A. F, Ekengren. the Swedish Minis
ter. voicing the sentiments OF the Scan
dinavian group of countries. declared last
night that European neutrals probably
would communicate, formally or inform
ally, expressions similar to those pub
lished by the Swiss federal council
DR.. Ekengren believed that all neutrals
would join in a universal demand for
peace.
Neutral Attitude Defined.
The Swedish minister said that while
he had had no instructions from his gov
ernment since the dispatch of the Presi-
dents note he confidently expected that
the swedish governments position would
be made plain at an early date.
Senior Don Juan Riano, the Spanish
Ambassador. likewise was without ofI-
cial word from Madrid as to what the
attitude Of Spain will be. but he was
Swiss announcement, as the forerunner
of a host Of other communications of like
tone from other neutral capitals