Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-20
NEUTRALS MAY ACT
TOAD PEACE MOVE
Norway and Holland Reported as
Preparing to Exert Strong
Pressure on Berlin.
WANT FURTHER CONCESSIONS
Lansing Believed Already to
Have Made Tentative Draft
of United States Reply.


WASHINGTON. August 19.-The at
titude of the European neutrals to-day
assumed unexpected Importance in the
discussion OF the possibility OF peace
through mediation Of the Vatican.
1t was learned oil the highest author
is vitality dependent arc preparing TO
exert strong pressure to exact further
concessions from the Teuton powers. II
further concessions are needed to bring
about a cessation of hostilities.
In at least two instances this pres
sure is far from negligible. Holland.
II was pointed out to-day, can severely
construct the fish supply that has be-
come an all-important item in the Ger
man diet.
Now can close the three -mile strip
OF territorial water about her coast to
German U.boats.
Either step might be taken with
out Norway or Holland entering the
war. Either would be u blow to Ger
many more weighty than the loss Of
many divisions in the field.
1t Is an open secret that the U-boats
have been slipping out through the
three-mile strip along the Norwegian
coast ever since the patrol of the North
Sea became 80 thoroughly efficient with
the help of United States dcstroyers,
that only the most favorable weather
Will permit submarine to use the
legitimate open sea.
ENGLAND sCRUPULOUSLY
REGARDS NoRWAY'S NEUTRALITY
England has known 1t, and Norway
has known 1t. England. SO far as can
be learned. has scrupulously regarded
the neutrality of Norway's three-mile
limit. and has forbidden her patrol YES
sells to enter this strip. Norway might
easily close the strip. either by net
or by patrol. Norway has so far been
bluffed out OF such step by the threat
OF Germany that she would consider II
hostile act Germany has denied
that her submarines use this channel
But as Germany Is so FAR spent that
she is willing Ito iconcedel as much as
might be considered to be Indicated In
the Pope's note. diplomats here be-
lieve that a threat from Holland and
Norway might be just enough to make
Germany conceda enough more to make
peace discussion possible
The whole peace matter continues to
be handled in the most guarded way
The contingencies indicated arc based
upon the statement of neutral dip1o-
mat. who was scrupulously careful to
insist that they represented his own
personal Views only. and that he had
heard nothing from his government
about the matter. This man. however.
has the freest rein from his Foreign
Office of any envoy in Washington
His judgment Is SO frequently that Of
his government that much Importance
was attached to his suggestion.
PRESIDENT LAYS ASIDE
CONSIDERATION OF NOTE
1t is believed that the Presideat has
temporarily laid aside the consideration
of the note, pending his settlement Of
the price policy at home. Secretary
Lansing is very busy In connection with
the note. It Is believed that he has
already made tentative draft of what
the reply of the United States will be-
though 1t is quite certain that tho final
determination Of the position Of the
United States and the actual writing Of
the note will be done by President
Wilson himself.
There will be no effort to conform
the statement of the United States to
that of the allies. II may be sent first
In that event 1t is likely that the allies
will be informed beforehand. and that
they will be prepared to model their at
titude largely on that of tho United
States.
The attitude OF Russia Is proving
very sharp thorn in the side OF the
allied settlement. which Is uncondi-
| tionally for fighting 1t out. The decln-
ration OF Foreign Minister Tercschenko
that Russia will press her own peace
aims OF mo forcible anneSation. no
punitive indemnities and the free de-
velopment of all nations" at the all
allied conference in London next month,
! is acknowledged as strengthening the
power OF the Pope's plea as nothing
but similar declaration by the United
States could do.
That is why the allies are watching
so carefully for the tone OF the Presi-
dents reply.