South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-04
So Widely Divergent As to
Appear impossible of CON-
prOmiSe-BOth Factions
Must Give Ground.
WILSON GOES OVER THE
SITUATION WITH HOUSE
Delay in Sending Reply is AC-
copied AS Evidence of I'M
portanCe of Message
Says London Paper.
rnternational News Service:

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. Jan. 4. - Pres't
Wilson today began consideration of
the next step the administration
will take TO revive the apparently
feeble hope OF bringing about peace,
or at least discussion of a basis on
which peace could be debated.
Col. z. NJ. House. the presidents
trusted unofficial adviser and close
friend. was taken into his full con-
hdence. and every move made so
far by the administration. the bel
Iigerents and other neutrals was laid
before the colonel In the earlier
feeling out" process, when the
president desired 20 get first hand
information of the feeling toward
peace in the belligerent capitals, Col.
House acted as the unofficial agent
Of the president Col House came
here last night
The result Of his two visits to
Europe. it is generally understood
here. was 10 discover antagonism
United States at that time He in
formed the president that a move
by the administration then would
have had no good result. and that
the belligerents would have regard
ed IL as an embarrassment, because
of the necessity of rejecting i fatty.
President Has Terms.
Accurate forecasts of the peace
terms Of the two groups of bellig-
erents are understood to be. in the
hands OF the president These are
not terms on which the warning ma
tions would accept peace, il was
said by those close 70 the president.
but are terms on which a discussion
OF peace could be based. II is an
open secret that they are so widely
divergent as TO appear impossible of
compromise.
Despite this fact. Pres't Wilson is
clinging 10 the hope that ultimate
success from one OF the peace
movements on foot will be realized.
when public sentiment in the war
ring lands crystalizes and is brought
60 bear with more direct force on
the governments OF the nations at
war. Although the administration
Is watching the contest in the senate
quietly from the side lines. ii is
known that Pres't Wilson Will well
come the senates support.
Sen. Lodge of Massachusetts,. was
ready TO renew his assault on the
peace note. as ill-timed and as hav-
ing placed the United States. in
too friendly light towards Germany.
So much debate was scheduled that
IL was considered unlikely that a
vote would be reached today.
House Meets Lansing.
Col +. NJ House called at the
state department today and was
cioseted with Sec'y Lansing for over
an hour.
At the end OF this conference Col.
House. accompanied by Asst. Sec'y
Of State Phillips. returned TO the
white house. where another long
conference was scheduled.
IL is known that Ambassador
Page has been able 10 10y before the
president o. very clear outline OF
how Jar TIE allies VIII leave the door
10 peace ajar. One OF the most diff
ncult problems. so far presented. is
TO SO move now that England will
be thoroughly convinced that there
is no tinge OF prO-Germauism in this
country's attitude. That "A way 10
prove the disinterested sincerity OF
the United states can be found. tha
president and his advisers firmly
believe, and their conferences will
be largely devoted to securing il.