The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-10-12

that has been consistently followed
since the outbreak of the war of hold
ing aloof from European combinations
except in the prosecution of the war,
this government probably will not at
tempt to aid in the settlement of tradi-
tional European quarrels, except pos
sibiy as a matter of friendly interest
if opportunity arises.
House Likely to Be Delegate.
1t was said unofficially that when
the time comes to organize a peace
conference, Colonel House. by virtue
of his present assignment, would in
all probability be selected as one of
the delegates FROM the United States.
1t will be a part of Colonel Houses
task to gather intelligence relating to
commercial, economic and political sit
uations abroad. He will keep abreast
of developments in all non-military af-
fairs.
Colonel House will have associated
with him, as has been stated, several
experts, probably college professors,
economists and specialists in CONNER
cial and financial affairs. The work
he is to perform will not be connected
with similar undertakings in any of
the countries with which the United
States is associated in the war.
State department officials, when re-
minded of the statement that the
United States would be interested
in purely European territorial ques-
| tons, answered that the American
army was in France, and that the
United States would, of course, have
| delegates at the peace conference.
| Colonel House will be expected to gath
er specific information by which
American peace delegates can follow
the conference intelligently.
These data will be compiled prf-
marily to assist American representa-
tives at the peace conference after the
war, but may also be used in the mean
time to help guide the government in
formulating policies. 1t has no bear
ing on peace negotiations or negOtia-
lions of any kind with foreign govern
ments which, of course, come within
the province of the president and the
state department.
getting ready to enter into peace ne
gotiations with Germany, isn't going
to NEEDLE in strictly European ques-
lions relating to the war, and isn't ne
gotiating just yet on the problems Of
peace with the Entente as has fire..
quently been surmised.
Must Have Data in Advance.
1t is important for the United States
government now and will be even
more important later on to have a So
called who's who and what's what"
in the war in order that all phases in
vOlved may be properly understood by
reference to data compiled in advance.
In time of war the government that
fails to prepare for peace will ulti-
mately be at a disadvantage, says the
Philadelphia Public Ledger in ali edi-
torial The representatives of Great
Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia,
found this out after the fall of Ma
poleOn when they met Prince Talley-
rand at Vienna. Talleyrand, sent by
France, had learned enough of the sit
uation as it concerned all of the small
er European powers and as it con-
cerned much of the opinion of Europe
to turn the tables upon the four great
powers and to stand as the champion
of the public rights If Europe. \
Prince Talleyrand Unanswered, and
successfully according to the rules
of a secret diplomacy. He really
worked in behalf of selfish and ma
lis.tin inf hn rtiti
of Europe by the congress of Vienna
was the outcome of arbitrary compro-
mise; it was prolific of future wars.
The knowledge which the great dip
lomatic exponent of France displayed
was more comprehensive than that of
his foes, that is all. Excepting that
he recognizes the need of precise in
formation, President Wilson acts up
on a principle different from that
which guided Talleyrand. He will
urge this nation into no alliance, even
with the nations with whom it is as
ISOLATED in the common war against
the Teutonic powers. He proposes
simply to equip himself with knowl-
edge pertinent to the rights of all ma
lions in common with Ar erica as they
may be concerned by tie proceedings
of the peace conference.
To Show War Aims.
In this spirit the president has
asked Colonel House to survey the
field of military naval and political
conditions in the countries of our en-
emies and our friends; to get at the
economic, political and emotional state
Of things in every country, and to tell
frankly to Great Britain, Russia,
France, Italy and the neutral powers
the things that we are doing and that
we intend to do in the war. More
over, an attempt will be made to lift
the heavy curtain of censorship in
Germany and Austria-Hungary, in or
der to spread among their peoples
of American war aims
and potentialities.
Officials are anxious that no impress
sion should be created, as a result of
Colonel Houses appointment, of any
Intention to start peace negotiations
n the near future. So far as the at