Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-02-23

last day OF Jdnudry-tne German an
nouncement of ruthless submarine
war-a quiet, grave, incOnspicuous
man slipped into the Pennsylvania
railroad station in New York City by
a private entrance, sequestered him
self in a train and sped to Washing
ton.
Arrived there. into waiting
White House automobile stepped Col.
E. NJ. House, super-diplomat.
He whirled away for a before
breakfast talk with the sorely-bur-
dened president. In this hour of
greatest distress, as in many others,
he was the chief executives closest
confidant and adviser.
Presidents 'Silent Partner"
known as the presidents silent
partner" and unofficial statesman, he
is perhaps one of the most interest
ing and mysterious characters in the
diplomatic history of the United
States.
11C lClolCu W hbOW 1AlCi COZ, doo
no class feeling and has been fed
with no political plums. He is not
in politics for either health or profit,
but in spirit of deadly earnest his
one desire seems to be to help the
nation.
President Wilson has offered him
many diplomatic posts, but he prefers
to serve in the ranks as a private.
So, whenever there has been a crisis
in the history of theWilson admins
tration Colonel House has always
rushed to the presidents side as fast
as steam or gasoline could carry him.
He has made an exhaustive study
Of the German situation from close
observation and personal application.
He has been in Berlin on a mission
the object of which no one but the
president and his closest advisers can
even hazard a guess. His mysterious
trips to all parts of the globe have
Away been with the good of the
American people at heart. and he has
worked with .tireless energy to keep
the president informed of the exact
situation in whatever locality he has
been sent to.
UnObtrasive Scholarly Man.
Born in Texas, owner of a vast
acreage of ranch lands and cattleman
by profession, the general impression
might be created that he is man Of
the rough, untutored force that has
generally been the product of the
border. Not of this type, however. is
Colonel House. He is quiet, unob-
trusive, scholarly man. possessing all
the determination of the rough and
tumble fighter coupled with the keen
insight and perception of national
affairs that are usually the main at
tributes of the trained diplomat.
He has been the presidents crony
since his Inauguration. He is the
balance wheel at the White House,
the adviser of the administration. He
has settled party quarrels among the
senators and congressman. He has
settled party quarrels among the SEN
ators and congressman. He has been
ridiculed by the press, but he cares
not for ridicule, he has other matters
Of more moment to be concerned
about. and he goes on doing his duty
as he sees it with implicit faith and
understanding.
Early in life Colonel House real
lied that the government of the
United States did not entirely COM
prise the president, the senate and
congress, but that small group Of
astute men were in reality the power
behind the throne. Right then and
there he made up his mind that the
life of a statesman was not for him.
He wanted to win a place as the bal
ance Of power and set out with that
end in view.
The unchallenged 40 votes from
Texas in the Baltimore convention
were the bulk of the Wilson dele
gates. His nomination was conceded
to be a fluke, but whether or not 1t
was fluke thought out in advance
by House is now a matter for much
speculation. Certainly House ap-
peared to be the balance of power
and he welded it in the direction Of
| Woodrow Wilson.
House was for Wilson first, last
and at all times. He was also close
personal friend of William Jennings
Bryan. and 1t is whispered in out-of-
the-way political corners that it was
the persuasive powers Of Colonel
House that helped the Nebraskan see
the error of his way and the nomina-
ton of Wilson.
| Power at Washington.
| Following the election, Colonel
House kept in touch with almost
every phase of the political situation,
and did so without getting in the