Woodrow Wilson as I Know Him Part 44

Received at White House, Washington, January 21, 1919.

TUMULTY, White House, Washington.

The issue of publicity is being obscured by the newspaper men and we have won for the press all that is possible or wise to win, namely, complete publicity for real conferences. Publicity for the conversations I am holding with the small group of the great powers will invariably break up the whole thing, whereas the prospects for agreement are now, I should say, very good indeed. Delighted that you are up and beg that you will not expose yourself or exert yourself too soon. Affectionate messages from us all.

WOODROW WILSON.

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington, 29 January, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Paris.

Notice in morning papers discussion with reference to disposition of German colonies. Call your attention to speech of British Premier delivered in January as follows: _Quote_ with regard to German colonies, I have repeatedly declared that they are held at the disposal of a conference whose decision must have primary regard to the wishes of the native inhabitants. The general principle of national self-determination therefore is applicable in their cases as in those of the occupied European territories _End quote_. I believe that Balfour made a similar statement.

TUMULTY.

_Cablegram--Paris_.

Received at White House, Washington, March 15, 1919.

President's Residence, Paris TUMULTY, White House, Washington.

The Plenary Council has positively decided that the League of Nations is to be part of the Peace Treaty. There is absolutely no truth in report to the contrary.

WOODROW WILSON.

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington, 16 March 1919.

PRESIDENT WILSON, Paris.

Believe your most critical time in setting forward America's position at conference has come. Opposition to League growing more intense from day to day. Its bitterness and pettiness producing reaction. New polls throughout country indicate strong drift toward league. League of Nations and just peace inseparable. Neither half can stand alone. Know you will not be drawn away from announced programme to incorporate League covenant in treaty. You can afford to go any length in insisting upon this. There is no doubt of your success here and abroad. The real friends of a constructive peace have not begun to fight. Everything fine here.

TUMULTY.

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington, 25 March, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Paris.

There is great danger to you in the present situation. I can see signs that our enemies here and abroad would try to make it appear that you are responsible for delay in peace settlement and that delay has increased momentum of bolshevism and anarchy in Hungary and Balkans. Can responsibility for delay be fixed by you in some way?

TUMULTY.

_Cable From the a.s.sociated Press at Paris._

Paris, March 27, 1919.

President Wilson to-day issued the following statement:

_Quote_ in view of the very surprising impression which seems to exist in some quarters, that it is the discussions of the commission on the league of nations that are delaying the final formulation of peace, I am very glad to take the opportunity of reporting that the conclusions of this commission were the first to be laid before the plenary conference.

They were reported on February 14, and the world has had a full month in which to discuss every feature of the draft covenant then submitted.

During the last few days the commission has been engaged in an effort to take advantage of the criticisms which the publication of the covenant has fortunately drawn out. A committee of the commission has also had the advantage of a conference with representatives of the neutral states, who are evidencing a very deep interest and a practically unanimous desire to align themselves with the league.

The revised covenant is now practically finished. It is in the hands of a committee for the final process of drafting, and will almost immediately be presented a second time to the public.

The conferences of the commission have invariably been held at times when they could not interfere with the consultation of those who have undertaken to formulate the general conclusions of the conference with regard to the many other complicated problems of peace, so that the members of the commissions congratulate themselves on the fact that no part of their conferences has ever interposed any form of delay _End quote_.

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington, 25 March, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Paris.

St. Louis _Republic_ of Sat.u.r.day reporting speech of Senator Reed referring to provision naming members of League says: _Quote_ he told of what he called a secret protocol and intimated that Germany is included in this secret protocol _End quote_. Advise whether or not there is any secret protocol such as Senator claims or of any character, attached to League Covenant.

TUMULTY.

_Cablegram--Paris_.

Received at White House, Washington, March 27, 1919.

TUMULTY, White House, Washington.

Statement that there is any sort of secret protocol connected with or suggested in connection with the League of Nations is absolutely false.

WOODROW WILSON.