New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-31
SECOND WITNESS
BACKS UP LODGE
Friend of Breckenridge
Says Kentuckian Told
Him Also of Note

Lodge offered further proof tonight OF
his charge that President Wilson had
contemplated adding a weakening post
script to the "strict accountability
note to Germany and that the threat
of three Cabinet members to resign
led him to withdraw it.
In the course of campaign speech
the Senator read a letter from John
Temple Lloyd Jeffries, of Boston, a
friend of Henry Breckinridge, whom
DR.. Charles H. Bailey, of Tufts Col
lege, quoted as authority for this
charge. Mr.. Jeffries's letter stated
that the former Secretary of War had
several times made to him remarks
similar to those attribpted to him by
DR.. Bailey.
Says Lodge Told Truth
The letter follows:
"Dear Senator Lodge:
81 have noted in Boston papers your
remarks connecting Presidents Wilson
with a postscript to one of the So
called Lusitania notes. According to
the papers, you state that the effect Of
this postscript was to vitiate the force
of the note. or purposely to inform the
imperial government that vigor dis
played in earlier parts of the note was
designed for Anglo-American consump-
tion solely.
According to the press accounts this
postscript was added rather surrep-
titiously and under star chamber pro-
ceedings, and was withdrawn only be-
cause the few manly members of the
Cabinet happened to discover its exis-
tcnce by luck, and naturally threat
cned to turn the government upside
down.
"I assure you, sir, deeply regret
being drawn into this affair, but / can
not sit idly by and see you called a
liar when | know your statements are
true.
"My friend, Major Breckenridge, sew
oral times made TO me remarks similar
IN those reported by Professor Bailey
| cannot swear to every minute detail,
for my memory is only human, but the
general substance of your statement is
correct to my personal knowledge.
"As have telegraphed to Major
Breckenridge to tell him of my pro-
posed action, and as his remarks were
not secret, and as Professor Bailey has
already involved the major, feel
obliged to state that / know your state
ment is true.
with regard to Major Breckinridge,
he is one of the finest examples of the
American gentleman, and his distin-
guished family has been famous for its
chivalry in the South for years. His
statement also is unquestionably true
beyond possibility of doubt.
"Believe me, dear Senator Lodge,
yours truly,
John TEMPLE LLOYD JEFFRlES.'
vouches for Jcffries
"The writer OF this letter, Mr.. John
JeHries." Senator Lodge said, "is a
member OF a very well known family in
Boston. a gentleman Of honor and the
highest character and well known to
ne personally. The evidence that Mr..
Breckenridge made the statement at
tributed TO him about the postscript l.,
therefore, think cannot be successful
~ controversies; and If Mr.. Breckin-
ridge made the statement. 1t can be abb
solutely believed.
"Mr. Breckenridge has published one
or two kilograms in which he refers 10
DR.. Bailey and myself In very angry
manner. which IL not important, but ne
charscterizes his own conversation
which DR.. Bailey reported az back
stairs gossip lie does himself a great
Injustice by this, because he was
member Of the Wilson Administration
ard a most excellent Assistant Secre-
tary Of War
"Hc denies that there was any threat
Of resignation by Mr.. Garrison or 9th
ers, but he entirely fails 10 deny the
essential point, which was that the
postscript WAS written and that he and
Sir. Garrison saw IL.
"Mr. Garrison said yesterday In
Washington: Il am not being inter
viewed on any subject. have no
statement Of any kind 20 make
40 that he also refuses TO deny the
existence Of the postscript, which he
certainly would have done II IL had
been "A mere fabrication by DR. Bailey.
Dr. Bailey IL a gentleman Of the high
eat character, standing and yerscity. |