Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-31
LODGE
CAN'T SEE HIM
CALLED A LIAR
Senator Lodge Calls At
tenti0n to Fact That
Neither Breckenridge
Nor Garrison Denies
Wilson Made Attempt
to Vitiate Force of
Note

Fitchburg, Mass, Oct. 80 =
Senator Lodge, in the course Of a
campaign speech here tonight,
read letter from John Temple
Lloyd Jeffries of Boston in which
the writer stated that Henry
Breckenridge, former assistant
secretary of war, had several
times made to him remarks SINH
lar to those attributed to him by
DR.. Charles H. Bailey of Tufts
College, concerning the alleged
elimination by President Wilson
of a weakening postscript from
the "strict accountability" note
to Germany.
DR.. Bailey's letter was read by
Senator Lodge at public meet
ing Saturday night and the SEN
l ator in his address tonight read
the letter from Mr.. Jeffries as
additional evidence. The letter
follows:
"Dear Senator Lodge:
al have noticed in Boston papers your
remarks connecting President Wilson
with . postscript to one Of the So called
Lusitania notes. According to the pa
pers you state that the effect Of this
postscript was to vitiate the force Of
tho note, or purposeIy to inform the
Imperial government that vigor dis
played in earlier parts Of the nete was
designed for Anglo American consump-
ton SOLELY According to the press ac
counts this postscript was added rath-
er surreptitiously and under star cham
! Der proceedings, and was withdrawn
only because the few manly members
Of the cabinet happened to discover its
existence by luck and naturally threat
ened to turn the government upside
down.
~ assure you, Sir, deeply regret
being drawn into this affair; but can
not sit idly by and see you called liar
when ! know your statements are true.
my friend, Major Breckenridge, sew
eraI times made to me remarks similar
to those reported by Professor Bailey.
! cannot swear to every minute detail,
for my msmory is only human; but the
general substance Of your statement is
correct to my personal knowledge.
"As | have teieeraphed to Major
Breckenridge to tell him Of my propos-
cd action, and as his remarks were not
secret and as Professor Bailey has al
ready involved the major, feel obliged
to state that know your statement is
true. With regard to Major Breckin-
| ridge, he is one of the finest examples
! Of the American gentleman, and his
distinguished family has been famous
for its chivalry in the South for years.
His statement also is unquestionabIy
true beyond any possibility Of doubt.
"Relieve me. Dear Senator Lodge,
"Ycurs truly,
(signed) "John Temple Lloyd Jeffries."
THE writer of this letter, Mr.. John
Jeffries" Senator Lodge said, lis a
member of a very well-known family
in Boston. a gentleman of honor and
the highest character and well-known
10 me personally. Inc evidence tnat
Mr.. Breckenridge made the statement
attributed to him about the postscript
therefore I think cannot be success
fully controverted and if Mr.. Breck-
inridge made the statement it can be
absolutely believed.
"Mr. Breckenridge has published one
or two kilograms in which re refers
to DR.. Bailey and myself in very
angry manner which is not important.
but he characterizes his own CONVEX
sation, which DR.. Bailey reported. as
back stairs gossip He does himself a
great injustice by this, because he was
(Continued on PAGE EColumn q