The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-07
DELAY IN ARRIVAL Of
tNIENTE'S REPLY TO
NOTE CAUSES ANXIETY
President Does Not Sanction Move
ment to Push Endorsement of
Peace Policy Through House.
DID NOT ASK SENATE
FOR IT'S ENDORSEMENT
Attitude of Upper Branch Has Been
Detrimental to Peace Movement
Administration Not Back OF Hitch
cock Resolution

Washington. Jan. 5.---Continued de-
lay In the transmission of the reply of
the entente powers to President VIII
sons peace note aroused some appre-
henston in administration circles hare
tonight The State Department tonight
announced that It had received no of
ficiaf information as to when the re-
ply would be forwarded, but II was
stated that the text of the note was
expected to reach Washington early
next week
American am bassadors in entente
countries have been confidentially pre-
dieting the arrival of the note for at
least four days President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing are somewhat con-
cerned over the reasons that may have
prompted the delay in sending the re-
ply. which advices have stated was
completely prepared several days ago.
administration officials showed
some anxiety lest recent peace devel-
opmsnts In this country may have af-
fected the attitude of the entente pow
ers toward the Presidents peace note
They fear that the announcements
the President proposes to press Wig
oropsly his negotiations Immediately
after the entente powers reply to his
first note. may have caused the delay
or may have resulted In some changes
in the document as originally pre-
pared. They sought to make 1t clear
today that any action taken later will
be based entirely upon the attitude
of the entente powers as expressed in
the expected reply.
Weal<ens president'- Effort.
There was some co\cern tonight
likewise as TO the effect Of the en-
dorsement Of the Presidents peace
move by the Senate The fact that
the endorsement resolution distinctly
avoided placing the Senate behind the
Presidents entire peace program. and
was confined to an approval OF his
request that-the- heliiGerents state
their peace terms" was accepted by
official Washington as weakening the
Presidents position in European capt.
tals The determined opposition of
the Republican side of the Senate was
also interpreted as showing that the
legislative branch of the government
is not unanimously In favor OF the
Presidents sweeping peace plans.
Administration leaders in the House
who had planned to seek action on an
endorsement resolution in the popular
branch of Congress tonight decided to
abandon the effort They followed the
advice of administration diplomatic
ADVISERS VINO HoreSaW an extended de-
bate and strenuous opposition to the
measure in the House. and a consequent
further weakening of the President
position.
state Department officials. and the
White House tonight made 1t clear
that the President had never sought a
congressional endorsement OF his peace
plan. and. that he was not behind the
Hitchcock resolution which precipitat-
ed the Senate row They were en-
phatic in their declaration that any
EFFORT to force a vote on a similar res
olution in the House would not have
the sanction Of the administration
The administration is looking for
ward with great interest to the ar
rival In this country of Count Tarnow-
sky, the new Austrian ambassador
who is expected soon. 1t Is believed
that he will bring confidential lnfor-
nation as to the Teutonic peace at
titude. which will materially facilitate
the Presidents future peace negotia-
tons