Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-09
j. 1. SEEKS
EAM W ORk
TO WIN W AR.
House and Other American
|; Representatives Reach
London En- Route To
Paris Conference on War
Questions. 1s1ss.s

MAY DISCUSS PEACE
BUT WAR COMES FIRST
London, Nov. S.-The special Ameri-
can commission to the allied confer
ence arrived in London last night. y
Is headed by Colonel e. N. House as
special commissioner with tine nonor-
ary rank Of special ambassador
"We had q pleasant and uneyentiui
voyage" Colonel House told The AS
sociated Press. tThe weather was
fair. There were no submarines. II
was the best vacation have had IN
two years"
TWENTY-sEvEN IN PARTY.
g The commissioners we're met BY
Ambassador Page. Vice Admiral Sims,
commander of the American destroy
er squadron. and Foreign Secretary
Balfour. There are twenty-seven per.
sons in the party, including Admiral
Benson, General Bliss, Vance McCor-
mick. chairmen OF the war trade
board; Oscar 7. Crosby. assistant sec
retary OF the treasury; cambridge Col
BY OF the United States shipping
board: DR.. A. E. Taylor, representing
the food controller, and Paul Cravath.
Mrs. House and two women who are
acting In secretarial capacities are in
the party. Col. and Mrs. House were
driven to the residence Of the Duke OF
Roxburghe, where they will stay while
N London.
PLAN MANY CONFERENCES.
The members of the mission arose
late this morning, much refreshed
after their first comfortable nights
sleep in many days. At an hours con-
ference today Colonel House outlined
tentative program for the next few
DAYS, calling for series OF confer
ences with their officials. Each mem
her of the mission will discuss his
work with British oficials
In charge Of similar activities in
England.
Admiral Benson had an early call to
make on Admiral Jelicoe, first sea
lord. and General Bliss expected to
visit the war Offices during the day.
COLBY TO VISIT SHIP YARDS.
II am impatient to see with my own
eyes the great efforts Englang is
making toward solving the shipping
problem" said Mr.. Colby, "and with
this end in view l will pay an early
visit to the great ship yards. America
is fully awake to the Importance OF
tonnage in this war and carrying out
a program OF unparalleled MAGNITUDE.
Ship-building now takes priority over
all other work in our country
Some of the members of the mission
are planning an early visit to France.
70 DEMAND COOPERATION.
Washington. D. G.. Nov. S.-Clothed
with authority to commit the United
States to any agreement reached.
Colonel House and his associates will |
urge the adoption of a policy OF great
er unity in the prosecution of the war
One of the possibilities is the crea-
tion of a Joint war council with SUI
preme power to direct the disposition
Of troops, to supervise military STRAIT
egy and to apportion munitions and |
other economic resources among the
allies.
MAY TALK PEACE.
Although it is to be exclusively
war conference. dealing with the pres
ent and future military situation. it is
that the question OF peace will
claim the attention of all the belliger-
ents. It is expected here that Ger.
many will make new move toward
peace at the conclusion of the cam
paign in italy.
II Germany should manifest dis
position to forego conquests. the allies
might consent to an armistice pending
d discussion of peace terms. One re-
port reaching Washington is that all |
the European belligerents are prepar-
Ing for a peace parley in Switzerland
In February.
DEMANDS TEAM WORK.
In the event OF peace discussion
President Wilson would
have his peace commissioner already
pn the scene. for that official is none
other than Colonel House. The presi-
dent designated Colonel House several
weeks ago to begin the collection OF
data for the use of the American dele
Eates to the eventual peace confer
ence.
Secretary Lansing's statement re-
sarding the mission indicates conclu-
sively that the nations fighting Ger
many realize that lack of team work
for the reverses they have
sustained and for the failure to cope
effectively at all times with the well
organized German military machine.
WAR FIRST QUESTION.
"Untii the combined resources OF
he allies can be employed against
Germany by single directing agency,i
L is contended, there will continue to
be waste of human lives and material,
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