OCR Text |
Show DAMPER PUT ON PEACE MISSION Washington, Dec. 2. Several European Eu-ropean nations, neutrals as well as belligerents, have Inquired of the United States concerning the status of tHe peace party which is to sail in vessels chartered by Henry Ford. To each Secretary Lansing has replied that the American government not only has no connection with the expedition, ex-pedition, but assumes no responsibility responsibil-ity for any activities or negotiations on the part of those engaged In the movement The fact that Mr. Ford had conferred con-ferred with President Wilson before launching his movement to end the European war gave some of the embassadors em-bassadors and ministers hero the impression im-pression that the Washington government govern-ment might liave some connection with It It became known tonight that since publication of the plans of the party the state department has been receiving inquiries, most of them of an informal nature, through the embassies em-bassies and legations here of the European powers. Secretary Lansing has promptly explained that the party would carry no credentials from the state department, and did not differ from any other body of Americans traveling in Europe. Applications for passports by members mem-bers of the expedition have been subjected sub-jected to the closest scrutiny at the department and passports have been granted only for travel in neutral countries. Seventy-five were Issued late today. In several Instances passports pass-ports were refused on account of improperly im-properly prepared applications or because be-cause the applicants were not American Amer-ican citizens. Following the rules of the department, depart-ment, which prohibit the Issuance of passports to persons who desire to visit belligerent countries unless they state business of an absolutely necessary neces-sary and urgent character, Secretary Lansing recently ordered that tho peace advocates be given no passports for nations in the war zone. Officials Offi-cials class the members of the party as tourists. At the British embassy today it was indicated that without passports in proper form no one would, be permitted permit-ted to land In Great Britain from the Ford ships. |