COLONEL HOUSE’S PAPERS

Southland Times, Issue 19822, 19 March 1926, Page 5

COLONEL HOUSE’S PAPERS

i I INFORMATION FROM THE INSIDE. ! INTIMATE PAPERS PUBLISHED. ’ J (From Our Correspondent.) | i Fan Francisco, Feb. 24. “The Intimate Papers of Colonel House” are being published daily in many of the ' leading newspapers of the United States. They are receiving unusual attention, and London papers are commenting on their value in acquiring a better knowledge of the world war and the steps that were taken to prevent that tragedy. Colonel ' Edward M. House is a native of the State of Texas. He became Woodrow Wilson’s , most intimate friend. He aided the Princeton man in his desire to become President of the United States, and for years after- ; wards Colonel liouse was “the power behind the throne.” He refused any appointment to office at the hands of the new President, asking that he be permitted to assist the . administration and further legislation that would benefit the people of the countiy. There is no doubt of Colonel House’s disinterested ambition to prove useful to society, and particularly to encourage all efforts that tended, or would tend, to establish world peace and improve the relations between nations. President Wilson gave Colonel House wide latitude as his “unofficial representative.” The Colonel visited Europe before the war, interviewed the leaders of England, France and Germany in his attempt to clear away the war clouds, and, when the sad days came, he persisted in his efforts to endeavour to arrange a cessation of hostilities. Striking indeed are the Colonel’s comments on the world famous men he met

during -his various journeys abroad. He had a warm admiration for Sir Edward Grey, as well as for many other English leaders of the day. He believed the Kaiser, if relieved from his military advisers, would have responded to peace pleadings. Rather amusing was his statement to German militarists that his title of Colonel was a paper one, based on his affiliation with the staff of a Texas Governor, but there was insistence to discuss war technique in a way that left the Colonel “up in the air,” as the Americans say. In 1915 Colonel House wrote President Wilson that Lord Northcliffe said he (House) “should be run out of England,” if sent over on a peace errand. New Zealanders will be interested in Colonel House’s references to King George. Writing to President Wilson on March 1, 1918, from London, the Colonel said: “The King is the most bellicose Englishman that I have so far met. I had hopes that he might want to talk concerning peace plans, but he evidently wanted to impress me with the fact that this was no time to talk peace. . . He is the most pugnacious monarch that is loose in these parts.” The King thought the Kaiser had talked too much and had made a fool of himself. Later on (June 4, 1918) the Colonel softened his views somewhat. He wrote to President Wilson: “The more I see of the King the better I like him; he is a good fellow and deserves a better fate than being a King.” King George discussed with Colonel House the possibility of the Germans sinking the Lusitania, thus showing a keen insight into the future. The effect of such a disaster on the question of American intervention was also a theme of discussion. Important conversations are quoted, all to the King’s advantage. Speaking of Lloyd George, Colonel House wrote President Wilson on June 2, 1915: “He reminds me more of the virile, afflEree-.

sive type of American politician than any member of the Cabinet. . . He has something dynamic within him which his colleagues have not, and which is badly needed in this great hour.” Lord Kitchener impressed Colonel House as having reserve power, and anxious to talk about war problems, but the description leaves some doubt in the reader’s mind as to whether the Colonel believed Lord Kitchener had as much force as was generally supposed. There was some friction between President Wilson and Colonel House prior to the former’s death. It remains to be seen how the break will be treated in the “Intimate Papers,” if at all. The peep behind the war scenes is the subject of conversation on the part of hundreds of thousands of Americans, who recognise the difficulty of a United States President dealing directly with nations at war, and yet who realise the strange position occupied by private citizen of limited acquaintance, whose idealism cannot be questioned as the papers are unfolded. __________