Evening star., 1920-03-13
FRENCH ENVOY IN
PLIGHT TO OBTAIN
PRESIDENTS VIEWS
Extraordinary Diplomatic
Situation Has Arisen-Re-
turn of Peace Affected.
ny DAVID LAWRENCE.

An extraordinary situation in world
diplomacy has arisen which demon
strates to some extent why more prog
ress is not being made in getting the
nations of the world back 10 real and
not a fictitious basis of peace.
The British. French and Italian en-
basSieS here have been instructed TO con-
suit the government of the United States
with reference to the Turkish treaty. the
terms OF which, being unsettled. are
keeping the near east in political tur-
MOL. Jules Jusserand. the French am
hassador and dean of the diplomatic
CORDS, must take the lead in approach
Ing the American government, for the
credentials of the Italian ambassador
have never been presented and the new
British ambassador has not yet taken
UP his duties here.
Has diplomatic Privilege"
But Ambassador Jusserand has the
diplomatic privilege of discussing mat
ters with the head of the United States
government and not necessarily the Sec
retary of state. In the present situ-
alton Mr.. Wilson being ill. or, at least
unwilling to receive foreign ambaSsa-
doris, and the Office of secretary of state
being untitled. because the Senate has
not confirmed the nomination of Balm
serand is an unenviable one In two OF
! three days there may not even be a
Secretary Of State ad interim, for the
period during which Frank l.. Polk can
hold that position is subject to legal
doubts, now being threshed over in the
office of the Attorney General.
Matter In President's Hands.
/ The question, therefore, is whether
President Wilson will receive the French
ambassador and perhaps the charge
d affaires of the British embassy and the
new Italian ambassador The excuse
hitherto given was the President s ILL
ness, but the situation is further COM
pLcated by the surprising statement
with reference to the alleged imperial
ism of France made by the President in
his letter to Senator Hitchcock.
Tho President said then:
Throughout the sessions of the peace
conference in Paris it was evident that
a militaristic party, under the most in
fluential leadership. was seeking to gain
ascendancy in the counsels of France.
They were defeated then, but they are
in control now"
Provokes Storm OF Protests.
This accusation has brought forth a
storm of protests from the French press
all the way from veiled references to the
regrettable i'll health Of the President to
feet that America is being ruled by a
lunatic."
The French government is reported,
moreover to have instructed Ambassa- :
dor Jusserand to express to the Ameri-
can government it's surprise and amaze
ment at the Presidents reference to
France, but in Washington this does not
awaken much excitement because not so
long ago Viscount Grey wrote a letter
to the London Times expressing views
freely about American political affairs,
and the French press supported whole
heartedly that communication and de-
Tended it as immune from diplomatic
improperly because it was a personal
and not an official act. Thus the PreSi-
dents supporters contend his letter to
Senator Hitchcock should be taken as a
personal communication from one men,
Der Of the United States government to
another.
Alleged Basis Of InsinuatfOn.
On the other hand, the insinuation OF
Imperialism made by the President is
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column g.