New-York tribune., 1918-11-30
Governor-Elect Of Kansas,
in France 18 Months,
Found No "Seething"
All Sorts of Gossip,
But of No Value
Kent and Rook Sought to
Justify President Wilson's
Trip, He Declares

Governor-elect Henry J. Allen, of
Kansas, editor and publisher, just re-
turned from Europe, declared yester-
day that the twin interviews reporting
alleged Allied dissension, which raised
such a storm throughout the country,
were published to create sham emer
gency justfying President Wilson's
trip to the Peace Conference at Yer
sailles.
Mr.. Allen declared that, contrary to
the report of crisis contained in the
interviews by Frank r. Kent, manag-
ing editor of "The Baltimore Sun"
and Charles A. Rool, editor of "The
Pittsburgh Dispatch" there was alb
solutely nothing in the European diplo-
matte or political situation requiring
the presence of the President at the
peace table.
Afer eighteen months abroad, dur
ing which he kept in closest touch with
both soldiers and leaders, Mr. Allen
reached New York on Wednesday on
the French liner Espagne. just twenty
four hours after the arrival of the
fellow editors he censures.
At Front Eighteen Months
II have been at the Western front
most of the time during eighteen
months, and in Paris during all the
time discussion of the armistice was
going on Mr.. Allen said. ~ hHd
ample opportunity to know the spirit
both of the soldiers and the statesmen
of France, and did not find, either on
the surface or beneath it, any of the
'seething' which these gentlemen who
have toured the front mentioned in
their articles.
"On the other hand, I did find at all
places the most open and unrestra ned
expressions Of gratitude for what the
Americans accomplished in the war.
The Q were differences of opinion, Of
-~"..-.@, as to the character of the mill
tary strategy exhibited in the battle
OF the Argonne Forest, on that part of
We nc held by the Americans, but
there was no difference of opinion
touching the quality of our fighters or
the fact that they took their objectives
on time and kept pace with the Allies.
II am inclined to believe that the
story of violent disputes between GEN
eral Pershing and Marshal Foch were
unfounded. Such an occurrence, at the
hour these gentlemen stated it oc-
Cured would not have been bruited
about.
Purely From Gossip
81 heard purely from gossip that
General Pershing's idea that the Amer
lean army should have it's own battle
line differed from the opinion of Sir
Douglas Haig, who thought that we
should be brigaded with the British
and French. General Pershings idea
prevailed, as it had right to prevail,
and the magnificent result of our fight
ing as an independent army is proud
history.
"As an American who has served
many months in France" Mr.. Allen
continued, 81 deplore the publication
of an article like this, which, on its
declared face value. is founded on the
cheapest sois. of gossip. At dignified
hour like this, when we have mingled
our blood with the blood OF our Allies
upon the French fields, such an ar.iclq
is mischievous. If such an article cvuld
have any result, it would necessarilv
be to sow dlssenslon at solemn hour
which calls for mutual confidence.
"There is, of course, all sorts o1
gossip in Europe at this hour, but this
gossip comes from the interest which
men are taking in the great event II
is of no value except as it represents
the general interest in the situation
Those who have followed it know tha