The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-02
PRESIDENT WILSON HOLDS CONFERENCE
 WITH STONE OVER
 FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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 be a conference of senators on both sides of the chamber regarding it. When it was first proposed Senator Borah of Idaho objected to it's imme- diate consideration on the ground that it was too important matter to be dealt with hastily Whether the Idaho senator would attempt to defeat It's passage could not be learned tonight
 STONE FAyORS IT
 Senator Stone frankly stated that he was heartily in favor of adopting the resolution and that friends of the President generally believed that an official indorsement of his action from the Senate would be advisable. Senator Hitchcock will confer with the chair man of the foreign relations commit tee on the matter again tomorrow morning before the Senate meets It will then be determined whether to press for immediate action or to per init another days delay.
 The President. it was learned, dis cussed many phases of foreign prob lems with Senator Stone, including the Mexican situation.
 During the day an explanation was obtained from official sources of the previously mysterious clause in the note from Spain to the United States referring to another communica- tion'' from the American government suggesting that the time was oppor- tune for Spain to cooperate with the United States.
 It was learned authoritatively that no note was sent to neutral nations, but that in forwarding copies of the Presidents suggestion to the bellig- erents the state department instruct ed American diplomats in the neutral capitals to intimate to the govern ments to which they were accredited move similar to that of the United States the American government con- sidered the time opportune.
 DID NOT URGE NEUTRALS
 It was stated emphatically that in
 making this move the United States had no intention of urging neutral na-
 tions to act or to set on foot a move
 ment for an entente of neutral na- tions.
 In explanation of this point it was stated that the primary purpose of the Presidents note to the belligerents
 was to clear the atmosphere on the big questions relating to the war, and that in this connection the American government thought it would be help full if the opinions of neutrals as well as the belligerents were explained It was reiterated that President Wilson and Secretary Lansing did not look upon the American note to the belligerents primarily as a peace note, although it was hoped that it might aid in hastening the end of the war. One reason for interest in the atti- tude of other neutrals is the realiza- tion that while the United States will act alone if it finds it necessary later to take any drastic action in defense of it's rights the other neutrals have suffered seriously The President be- lieves, too that after the present war all nations should combine in some way to minimize the chances of an- other such conflict
 Administration officials are admit tedly concerned over efforts to make the action of this government appear as directed against the entente allies and in favor of the central powers. They do not think it necessary, how believing that ultimately both sides will come to realize the true purpose KEEPING IN TOUCH While awaiting the reply of the en- tente allies to the Presidents note the SIdI6 department IS hceplHS III touch with official sentiment both among the entente allies and the cens traI powers.
 As soon as the reply of the entente is received President Wilson is ex- pected to address another commission to both sides, making clear his posi- tion and probably clearing up some misconceptions which he feels have developed. It may be stated that he will not seek to force peace on either side. but will continue to insist that the rights of the United States be thoroughly respected.
 In connection with the admittedly serious concern with which the admin istration looks upon the submarine | question. much attention was paid by officials to press dispatches from Der | lin stating that a semi-official news agency there had given out the in | formation that the reply of the en- tente allies was generally looked upor as flat refusal' of the peace pro- posals of Germany and her allies ] adding that .this is especially re- | gretted for the sake of the neutra | countries suffering from the conse. quences of the war"