New-York tribune., 1918-12-11
DIR. Butler Denies
Hearst Report of
Attack ON Wilson
Head of Columbia Says He
Gave No Interview Stating
That President Did Not
Represent US. Sentiment

William Randolph Hearsts "New
York American" in big headlines as
serted yesterday that President Nicho
las Murray Butler of Columbia Uni
versity, in an interview cabled to
Paris and published there, had said
President Wilson did not represent
American sentiment.
When this was brought to the atten-
ton of DR.. Butler his wrath was
aroused and he issued a statement, in
which he said;
II do not, Of course, see 'The New
York American and have therefore
no personal knowledge Of what it
prints. If it insinuates that | have
authorized an interview or statement
for publication abroad criticising the
Presidents going to the peace con-
ference or opposing his international
policies 1T utters falsehood.
Instance of Pro-Germanism
81 could only interpret such state
ment as part of the systematic pro-
German and anti-national propaganda
with which this paper has SO long been
associated in the public mind, the OBJ
make the American people appear to
be divided in council at a critical mo-
ment."
The first edition of yesterdays "New
York American" bore at the top of
the page an eight-column headline that
read:
"Wison Ideals un-American," and
beneath this a smaller line reading:
"Nicholas Murray Butler Quoted in
Paris as SO Stating"
The headline was changed in sue
ceeding editions so that the line read:
"Wilson Idea Attacked in Paris"
Beneath that in smaller type was the
line:
Murray Butler asserts his policies
are un-American."
Then there as this one-column head:
"Columbian's statements amaze
French; educator is credited in cabled
interview with saying Wilson does not
represent sentiment; next step would
be to say his policies are disagreeable
to u.s. writes astonished editor"
Cabled From Paris
The opening paragraph of the story,
which was copyrighted by the uni
ver3al Service" was as follows:
"Pars, Dec. capitalization here Of
two-column cabled interview with Mich
olas Murray Butler, preident of Colum-
bla Unlvrelty, alleging President Will
son does not represent American senti-
ment, causes profound amazement here.
1T is the longest cable dispatch
printed in the French press since the
outbreak Of the war;
The rest of the article WAS devoted
to the writings of Frenchman, Julien
Sorrel, and there was not another word
to bear out the sensational headlines
concerning DR.. Buffers alleged state
mentS.
Butler Explains Interview
The interview referred to was writ
ten by Edward Marshall, q we'll known
and thoroughly responsible newspaper
man, and contained no criticism what
ever of the President, or, indeed, men,
ton OF him., save as having heretofore
IN general terms only spoken of the
league of nations and freedom of the
seas" Dr.. Butler said.
The interview discussed in some de-
tail the phrases determinations
league of nations and freedom of the
seas and vigorously supported all
me the text of his interview before he
cabled it, and there was in it no single
word to give ground for any such in
slnuation as | understand The Ameri-
can has put in circulation"
Both DR.. Butler and Mr. Marshall,
through the latter's news syndicate,
gave out copies of the only interview
on this subject given out by DR.. Butler
The interview contained absolutely
nothing that could justify "The New
York American" headlines.