The Green Forest tribune., 1917-10-12

voice. In accordance with the policy that has been consistently followed since the outbreak of the war of hold ing aloof from European combinations except in the prosecution of the war this government probably will not at tempt to aid in the settlement of tradi tional Euorpean quarrels except pos sibly as matter of friendly interest if opportunity arises.
 House Likely to Be Delegate.
 It was said unofficially that when the time comes to organize a peace conference, Colonel House, by virtue of his present assignment, would in all probability be selected as one of the delegates from the United States.
 It will be a part of Colonel House's task to gather intelligence relating to commercial, economic and political sit nations abroad He will keep abreast of developments in all non-military af- fairs.
 Colonel House will have associated with him, as has been stated several experts, probably college professors, economists and specialists in conner cial and financial affairs. The work he is to perform will not be connected with similar undertakings in any of the countries with which the United States is associated in the war.
 State department officials, when re- minded of the statement that the United States would be interested in purely European territorial ques- tions. answered that the American army was in France. and that the United States would of course, have delegates at the peace conference. Colonel House will be expected to gath CT specihc information by which American peace delegates can follow the conference intelligently.
 These data will be compiled pri- marily to assist American representa- lives at the peace conference after the war, but may also be used in the mean time to help guide the government in formulating policies. IL has no bear ing on peace negotiations or negotia- tions of any kind with foreign govern ments, which, of course. come within the province of the president and the state department.
 The United States government isn't getting ready to enter into peace ne gotiations with Germany, isn't going to meddle in strictly European ques- tions relating to the war, and isn't ne- gotiating just yet on the problems of peace with the Entente, as has ire quently been surmised.
 Must Have Data in Advance.
 It is important for the United States government now and will be even more important later on to have so- called who's who and what's what" in the war in order that all phases in- volved may be properly understood by reference to data compiled in advance.
 In time of war the government that fails to prepare for peace will ulti- mately be at disadvantage, says the Philadelphia Public Ledger in an edi- torial. The representatives of Great Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia, found this out after the fall of Ma poeon when they met Prince Talley- rand at Vienna. Talleyrand, sent by France had learned enough of the sit uation as it concerned all of the small CT European powers and as it con cerned much of the opinion of Europe to turn the tables upon the four great powers and to stand as the champion of the public rights of Europe.
 Prince Talleyrand maneuvered, and successfully, according to the rules of a secret diplomacy. He really worked in behalf of selfish and na- tionalistic interests. The partitioning of Europe by the congress of Vienna was the outcome of arbitrary compro- mise; it was prolific of future wars. The knowledge which the great dip lomatic exponent of France displayed was more comprehensive than that of his foes, that is all Excepting that he recognizes the need Of precise in- formation, President Wilson acts up- on principle different from that which guided Talleyrand. He will urge this nation into no alliance, even with the nations with whom it is as sociated in the common war against the Teutonic powers. He proposes simply to equip himself with knowl- edge pertinent to the rights of all na- tions in common with America as they may be concerned by the proceedings of the peace conference.
 To Show War Aims.
 In this spirit the president has asked Colonel House to survey the field of military, naval and political conditions in the countries of our en- emies and our friends; to get at the economic, political and emotional state of things in every country, and to tell frankly to Great Britain, Russia