Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-10
ILLINOIS SENATOR
IN SFCRFT MISSION
James Hamilton Lewis Leaves
for France, After Long Con-
ference With President
BARELY CAUGHT STEAMSHIP
Believed Voyage Has 10 Do With
Discussion of Peace At
titude of Allies.
BARELY CAUGHT STEAMSHIP

WASIilNGToN. August o-seaa.or
James Hamilton Lewis. Of illinois.
Democratic whip. has gone to T,,anc .
on an important secret mission fo- the
.overnHlo
Senator Lewis left hurriedly after ::
lonS conference with the iresiG/a. at
the W hitr House. itc barely ha,; :.in T.
10 catch thc steamship upon which u"
was asked TO sail. Even to-day his
colleagues suppose senator I.cwir t.
be in this country and will BE- greatly
surprised to learn of his jourre". as
they believed ne would tai;c an .,ctivc
part. member Of the Finance Com :
mi.tee. In framing he n"w wa--rev-
cnue Legislation.
There is 4 possibility that Senator
Lewis may be KEEP, abroad for two
months or more "a carry through the
york snapped OIL; for him by III" P--s-
idcnt. and If he is 80 detained he viii
occupy n unique position as Il cand!-
date for reelection tc the United states
Scratc from Illinois. lie will be IN ou-
sands of miles away from his cors:,it
uents and able to send only short cG>,-
mun!cations. His friends will have 90
look after his interests.
1t Is the bes, opinion OF officials that
Senator Lewis's mission has To do with
the informal discussion with ministers
of the French. british and probably
Italian governments of the attituG7 Of
the United States and tn. allied Cnv-
ernments toward peace DroGers or pro
posals from the central powers, or SER
arate peace proposals that may come
from any Of the peoples now under
the domination OF the military autoc-
racy Of Germany.
PROMINENT IN DISCUSSION
OF PEACE; TERMS IN SENATE
Senator Lewis has been promnen
in the discussion of peace terms in
the Senate. and the accuracy with
which he defined this governments
attitude was interpreted as rejecting
the Presidents confidence and
thorough understanding of the admin
istratior view. For Il tine-- the United
States was in receptive mood. and
Senator Lewis freely stated the broad
terms that would interest this gov
ernment. but as German duplicity and
frightfulness made ii impossible even
to carry on the unofficial dscussi ions
started by the President. Senator Lewis
warned against further discussion OF
peace terms until otCision
had brought Germany TO her knees. or
:, revolution had taken some of her
people out of bondage and into the fra
iernity OF Democracy.
France has little to say on the sub
ject because her own territory is in
volvcd and her dCect dealings with
Germany. the violation Of the neutral
ty OF Belgium in order TO invade her
soil in an attempt to crush her utterly.
have taught her to disregard the ut
tcranccs OF the Prussian until he crawls
on his knees in supplication. 1t is i'm
portant, therefore, that this government
should have a thorough understanding
through informal discussion OF the at
titude of France toward peace when
a military victory over Germany shall
make the discussion of terms timely
and important.
Senator Lewis it is believed. will OBJ
tain this view and come back fully
informed. He will not only be able to
give the President the benefit Of his
first hand information, but will be in a
position to lead any discussion of the
attitude OF the allied governments on
peace that may arise in the Senate.