Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1917-10-05
COL. HOUSE WILSON AID IN PREPARING
FOR INEVITABLE PEACE conference
Presidents Unofficial Counselor Undertakes Unusual Task at Re-
quest of Chief Executive Mot Sign That Government
Expects Early End Of War.

voice. In accordance with the policy
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
sibly as Il matter of friendly interest
if opportunity arises.
House Likely'to Be Delegate.
1t was said unotiicially that when
the time comes to organize 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 Il part of Colonel Houses
task to gather intelligence relating to
commercial, economic and political sit
uutions 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.
The United States government isn't
getting ready to enter into peace ne
gotiations with Germany, isn't going
4 In ,~,;o
tions 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 disadvantage, says the
Philadelphia Public Ledger in an 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 Of Europe.
Prince Talleyrand maneuvered, and
successfully, according to the rules
of secret diplomacy. He really
worked in behalf of selfish and ma
tfonalistic interests. The partitioning
of Europe by the congress of Vienna
was the outcome of arbitrary comprO-
mise; 1T 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 an. Excepting that
he recognizes the need of precise In
formation, President Wilson acts up
on principle different from that
which guided Talleyrand. He will
urge this nation into no alliance, even
with the nations with whom it Is as.
sociated in the common war against
the Teutonic powers. He proposes
simply to equip himself with knOwl
edge pertinent to the rights of all ma.
tions i'm common with America as they
may be concerned by the proceedings
of the peace conference.
To Show War Aims.
In this spirit the president hal
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 tel
frankly to Great Britain, Russia
France, Italy and the neutral powers
the things that we are doing and tina,
we intend to do in the war. More
over an attempt will be made to lif,
the heavy curtain of censorship ir
Germany and Austria Hungary, in or
der to spread among their peoples 6
comprehension of American war aims
and pOtentialities.
Officials are anxious that no impres
sion should be created, as result oi
Colonel Houses appointment. of an,
intention to start peace negotiation
} in the near future. So far as the at
titude of the United States is con
cerned, the presidents reply to thu
pope still remains the unaltered view
Of tho yovornmant horo
The appointment of Colonel Hous,
. Is recognition by the government o.
. the fact that the adjustment OF peac,
: terms will be very complicated pro
ceeding. Many points Of dispute mus
be settled. Questions of all sorts
, economic, political, and historical, viii
come up for discussion.