Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
Returning Home, He Declares
Mission Successful by Ac-
compIished Objects.
UNITED STATES INFLUENCE
PARAMOUNT OVER THERE
Team Work characterized Duties Of
Special Enjoys; Anybody's 0pin.
ion May Be Taken on Russia.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 15.-What
the American mission was sent to aes
complish in the inter-allied war con.
ference in Paris "has been successfui-
ly and satisfactorily done" was tho
message brought to the American
people by Col. E. NJ. House, head of
the mission, who returned to the
United States today with four of his
colleagues.
The return of the party was void of
ostentation. After advising the press
of the missions arrival Col. House
motored to his home, where he later
received newspaper men and an
nounced that the missions reports
already had been dispatched by spe-
cial messenger to the State Depart
ment at Washington. These reports.
which included that of Col. House, will
be supplemented by the coloners per-
sonal report to President Wilson. He
said he would go to Washington
Monday.
View of Conditions Abroad.
I'm England and France the inf1u-
ence of the United States is para
mount" said Col. House. IN both coun-
tries the morale is splendid-the best
have observed on any of my three trips
abroad since the beginning of the war;
You mean the morale of the fight
ing forces?" Col House was asked
No. mean the morale of the men in
uniform and tie people as WHOLE he
replied. Their discrimination to win.
without thought Of the cost, is admix-
able"
Through the elimination Of speech-
making and entertainment, both of =
ss ssaa shs 9s Rsaixsss as sssss Ge as
cemplished Its full purpose N thr6o
sittfngs. At their termination. he H1f1
the supzez3e y var council, an outgroxth
q ihsse deHberAttons: completed IN
work In four weeks time-twe weeks
being spent in London and two weeks
In Paris.
Supreme Council Members.
The prime ministers OF Great Britain.
France and Italy and Col. House. to-
gether with their military aids. were
preme war council The others who
had taken part in the first conferencp
were assigned to membership on yarf-s
Gus committees, and thus every one
had a specific task to accomplish.
These committees dealt with food. em-
barge, finance and other subjects
The council brought things to .
focus Up to that time there was no
co ordination and things were not
going on very WELL" said the colonel
Every one worked well. hard and
cordially"
In reply to questions as to what the
council decided to do with reference to
various military matters Col House
said the deliberations were concerned
primarily with the economic situation
He declared what had been decided
upon with reference to this situation
measures radically different from
those now operative in the United
States.
Did Not Discuss War Aims.
Col House said he did not discuss
war aims while abroad. In his esti-
nation. he declared, one persons opinion
was as good as another's as to what
Russia might be expected to do. Gath
ering of data In preparation for tho
eventual peace conference was purely
incidental and entirely aside from the
main purpose of the mission.
Asked regarding the progress of Gen.
Pershing's work. Col House said:
His task is really more difficult than
the people know. but he is doing adj
mirably. Our men-our fighting men
and those who have been sent abroad
on other missions since our entry into
the war-have made a highly favorable
impression
American representation at any fur
ther councils of an interallied nature
was entirely a matter for President
wilson's decision. Col. House stated.
and he knew nothing of the Presidents
intentions respecting the return of him.
self or other delegates to such confer
enceS. -
Accompanying Col. House on his re-
turn today were Gen. Tasker H Bliss.
Vance C. Mccormick, chairman of the
war trade board; Bainbridge Colby OF the
United States shipping board and Thomas
N. Perkins of the priority board. Oscar
T. Crosby. assistant secretary of the
Treasury: DIR. A. E. Taylor. represent
ing the food administration. and Paul d.
Cravath remained in London, Col House
said, primarily to complete some details
respecting priority matters"