Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-03
WILSON DENIES
STORY IN TEMPS
President Quoted by Representative
Of Paris Paper as Stating
Neutrality Stand.
SAYS EXPRESSED NO OPINION

WASHINGTON, April 2.-Presi-
dent Wilson tonight authorized the
statement that he had given no in
terview and had given no express
sion of opinion about current sf-
fairs to Gabriel Applaud, who cabled
to the Paris Temps what purported
to be an interview with the president
on European and Mexican affairs.
/ The president let IL be known
that Mr.. Applaud. who was presented
at the White House by the French
minister, came merely to pay his re-
spects, and that although he was
acknowledgement of the Paris Temps
it was distinctly understood in ad-
vance with the ambassador present
that there was to be- no interview.
! sent Months Ago.
/ The statement also was authorized at
I the White House that President Wilson
had sent no letter recently to President
Poincare, as suggested by Mr.. Applaud.
but that tho letter to which reference
was made was sent several months ago
by Mr.. Wilson as a member of the Amer
lean Academy OF Arts and Letters in re-
ply 20 one OF President Poincare of the
French academy. brought 10 this coun-
try In person by Emile Brieux. the French
playwright.
The letter was made public at the
time. White House officials recalled, and
contained only fluctuations of a general
character.
Jules Jusserand. the French ambassa-
dor. retired early tonight and embassy
officials would not disturb him when
dispatches containing the alleged inter-
view in the Temps arrived.
Interview with Wilson,
PARIS. April 1.--Gabriel Applaud. sec
retaire-general of the Temps, who was
introduced to President Wilson at the
White House on Wednesday by the
French ambassador in Washington, has
sent to the Temps an interview which he
says he had with the president
II am glad to see on American SOIL .
President Wilson is quoted as having
said, "Frenchmen who come to satisfy
themselves as to the state OF opinion in
the United States. You viii not receive
an impression. am sure, that wilh give
you cause reasonably TO complain OF that
opinion.
Both sides Complain.
Definite questions are at times con-
sidered by France or others OF the bel
Iligerent countries as proof that the
American government favors sometimes
one and sometimes tho others Of the com
batants. The two groups OF belligerent
nations complain OF the attitude OF the
american government In equally. .visor-
Ious terms Each time one of these cases
arises Is It not proof that the government
of the United States is conscientiously
observing the rules Of neutrality?
'The Germans or the allies may al
times find that we are exacting-that the
American government sticks too closely
Ito these rules. The war will not last for
ever. When it is finished. such or such
10 nation will perhaps be glad that we
have maintained the rules against which
Ut protests today.
Cites Letter to Poincare.
Trance will avoid the error OF pellev-
ing what individuals of the peoples in
the conflict often think-that Is, that he
who is not actively for them Is against
them. AS to my own sentiments regard
ling France. / addressed a letter to the
pfcolucnL OF the EIenCn republic Nnat eN-
presses them clearly. BE sure that l do
not think anything less than what that
letter says"
NJ. Applaud says he asked President
Wilson II the contemplated increase IN
the American army and navy had any
precise object and that the president re-
piled:
mo, augmentation has been retarded
rather than hurried by current events.
we desired to avoid false interpretations
Asked II an early end OF the Mexican
Trouble could be hoped for. President VIII
son is reported to have said;
Difficult 20 Reply.
TT is, indeed. difficult 10 reply. A IA
Forable symptom appears. however. in the
last indications received here They snow
a better disposition on the part of the
principal Mexican chiefs TO understand
why they have TO respect the lives and
5nterests Of foreigners. Nothing shall be
negiected by the American government
10 accentuate these tendencies"
The letter referred to by N. Applaud
It is understood. was delivered three
weeks ago TO President Poincare by Col
pneI Edward NJ. House. who is In Europe
observing conditions. The letter. it is
said, was read TO the French cabinet,
upon the members of which 1t made an
agreeable fnnpreRsior