Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-27
ALLIES PREPARING
TO DISCUSS PEACE
WHEN TIME COMES
Need in America for Similar
Activities Duly Ap.
preciated.
PRESIDENT PUTS MATTER
IN HANDS OF COL. HOUSE
Intelligence Organization to Make
Strategical Survey of Field
From Our Standpoint.
WOULD OUTLINE U. S. PURPOSES
Independent Body Created to Relieve
State Department OF Any
Embarrassment.
WOULD OUTLINE U. S. PURPOSES
Independent Body Created to Relieve
State Department OF Any
Embarrassment.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. September 90.
The Public Ledger prints tomorrow
the following dispatch from Lincoln
Colcord, It's stan correspondent at
Washington:
AS is we'll known. both France and
Great Britain have for some time been
making active preparations in their
own behalf for the peace conference.
Many letters corroborating this fact
have been received In important quar-
ters In America during the last few
months. 1t may safely be assumed
that other, and perhaps ali, Of the
belltgerent governments OF Europe are
making their own preparations for the
peace conference. or course. there is
nothing In these activities incomputi-
BILE with the heartest possible support
of the war.
Thus there has lately been felt to
be growing need in America for a
series OF similar activities. unless we
were TO go greatly handicapped Into
the peace conference when It came.
In quarters where this need has been
duly appreciated. the knowledge that
President Wilson has requested Col
onel Z. NJ. House to organize and di-
rect American activities in this field
meets with the most unqualified ap-
provai.
NOT SLIGHTEsT BEARING
ON SUBJECT OF PEACE
It would be altogether erroneous,
however. to attach unwonted signifi-
cance to the fact that America is
about to make definite preparations in
her own behalf for the peace confer
ence. Such a step on the part of
America would not be a step in the
direction OF peace. and could not be
properly interpreted as having the
slightest bearing upon. the possible
date ofrthe peacsSc5fifGrence It GER
taiply would not mean that peace was
imminent, or that America had de-
termined to try TO bring about peacn
by negotiation.
1t would simply mean that America
had decided to follow the other allied
governments in establishing an INTEL
ligence organization of her own. in
addition to the regular diplomatic
agencies. and free from the official
connections which would necessarily
hamper the State Department in this
field. whereby Washington could be
accurately informed as to the senti.
VI Ope anu inc general Do
litical situation to the plans and
projects OF the allied governments to-
ward the peace conference. and could
in short feel that 1t knew exactly the
status of the war and how I'm min ent
or how far away peace really was In
other words. it would propose to
make. from the American viewpoint, a
strategical survey OF the dplom attic
field.
WOULD OUTLINE AMERICAN
PLANS AND PROJECTS
To this phase OF the activities of
such organization would naturally
be added the work Of outlining Amer
lean plans and projects as to the peace
conference when 1t came and of bring
ing American and European ideas on
these subjects into closer relation and
more definite agreement.
1t is Immediately obvious that such
activities as these could not be under
taken by the State Department with
out creating grave misundersta ndings
as to the intentions Of America and
giving foundation for false assump-
tions as to the proximity of peace
This fact has been clearly recognized
"A
Europe. which have not attempted to
work through their Foreign Offices in
carrying out their preparations for
the peace conference. but have in Diff
ferent measure created independent
organizations for the purpose
The choice of Colonel E. NJ. House
to head this important mission for
America is a natural and logical one.
In such a position he would be only
enlarging and extending tho activities
which he has pursued in comparative
obscurity during the last few years.
The bulk of his labors as IN in
official diplomat, his contribution to the
cause Of International enlightenment,
his grasp of all the strings leading to
the various European capitals, as we'll
as his gathering prestige in govern
mental circles throughout the world
has all, according to report in official
and diplomatic circles. given the name
of Colonel House an Importance far
above his status in the field OF pub
licity.
VALUE DUE TO WILLINGNESS
TO WORK INCONSPICUOUSJY
The chief value OF his opportunity to
serve the country doubtless has sprung
from his willingness to work incon-
spicuously. Men have como to him
knowing that the visit would not be
reported in the newspapers. Men have
told him their whole story. feeling
confident that the tale would attain
no publicity. Thus 1t has come about,
according to report. that he has for
q number of years been veritable
clearing house for important informa-
tion from every quarter Of the world.
G;