Mexico Missouri message., 1917-10-11

litical development which will affect
virtually all the nations of the world,
the United States will have potent
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 tradl-
tional European quarrels, except pos
sibly as a matter Of friendly interest
II opportunity arises.
House Likely to Be Delegate.
1t 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 Houses
task to gather intelligence relating to
commercial, economic and political sit
uations abroad. He will keep abreast
of developments 10 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.
The United States government isn't
getting ready to enter into peace ne
gotiations with Germany, isn't going
to NEEDLE in strictly European ques
gotiating just yet on the problems Of
peace with the Entente, as has fire.
quently been surmised.
Must Have Data In Advance.
1t Is important for the United States
government now and will be even
more important later on to have n 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 " an 9dI.
tOrial. The representatives of Great
Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia,
found this out after the fall Of Ma
poleon when they met Prince Talley-
rand at Vienna. Talleyrand, sent by
France, had learned enough of the sit
uation as 1t concerned all of the small
q
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 unanswered, and
successfully, according to the rules
Of a secret diplomacy. He really
worked in behalf of selfish and na-
tionalistlc interests. The partitioning
of Europe by the congress of Vienna
was the outcome of arbitrary compro-
mise; 1t 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 a principle different from that
which guided Talleyrand. He will
urge this nation into no alliance, even
with the nations with whom It Is as.
ISOLATED in the common war against
the Teutonic powers. He proposes
simply to equip himself with knowl-
edge pertinent to the rights Of all ma
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,
France, Italy and the neutral powers
the things that we are doing and that
we intend to do in the war. More
| over, an attempt will be made to lift
the heavy curtain of censorship in
Germany and Austria-Hungary, in or
der to spread among their peoples a
comprehension Of American war aims
and potentlalities.
officials are anxious that no impress
sion should be created, as d result of
Colonel Houses appointment, of any
intention to start peace negotiations
in the near future. So far as the at.
tltude Of the United States is con-
cerned, the presidents reply to the
pope still remains the unaltered view
of the government here.
The appointment of Colonel House
is recognition by the government OF
the fact that the adjustment of peace
terms will be very complicated pro-
ceeding. Many points of dispute must
be settled. Questions of all sorts
economic, political, and historical, will
come up for discussion, and the Amer.
lean delegates must be forearrned with
mass of information and statistical