New-York tribune., 1920-03-13
Strong Protest Against
Presidents Charge of
Militarism Filed bv
Ambassador Jusserand
Evinces Surprise
AT Accusation
Requests That He More
Clearly Define Meaning
He Sought to Convey


WASHINGTON, March 12.-The
French government has officially COM
municated to the United States it's
"displeasure" at President Wilson's
reference to France as a militaristic
nation. The reference was made in the
Presidents recent letter to Senator
Hitchcock bearing upon the treaty stu
alton in the Senate.
Reports that the French government
was taking steps to inform this gov
crnment of its dlspleasure at the Pres
ident's words reached diplomatic cir
cles soon after publication of the Pres
ident's letter. 1t was admitted at the
State Department to-day that a protest
has been communicated to the depart
ment.
The French Ambassador, ]. J. Jusse-
rand, has laid before the State Depart
ment what was to-day characterized as
an enquiry" but which in reality is
understood to be a strong protest
against the references made by the
President to militarism in France and
the presence of militaristic tendencies
in the French government.
What President Said
The words of the President to which
France has objected were used in con-
ncction with the Presidents plea
against the adoption by the Senate of
a reservation to Article x that, in his
opinion, would impair the obligations
of the United States under the treaty.
The President said:
ut must not be forgotten, Senator,
that this article constitutes renun-
citation OF wrong ambition on the
part of powerful nations with whom
we were associated in the war. It is
by no means certain that without
will take place. Militaristic ambt-
tions and imperialistic policies are
by no means dead, even in the coun-
sells of the nations whom we most
trust, and with whom We most desire
to be associated in the task Of peace.
Throughout the sessions Of the Con-
ference of Paris it was evident that
a militaristic party, under. the most
influential leadership, was seeking to
gain ascendency in the counsels Of
France. They were defeated then,
arguments advanced in Paris in sup
port Of the Italian claims on the
Adriatic were strategic arguments
t that is to say, military arguments,
which had at their back the thought
of naval supremacy in that sea. For
my own part, am as intolerant Of
imperialistic designs on the part Of
other nations as / was of such de-
signs on the part Of Germany"
State Department Is Silent
Officials Of the State Department de-
clined to discuss the precise character
Of the position France has taken.
Whether the protest is written state
ment or was delivered orally by AM
bassador Jusserand was not disclosed
1t Is believed that the French gov
ernment has instructed Ambassador
Jusserand to inform the State Depart
ment that the French government is
surprised at the references in Presi-
dent Wilson's letter to the present
government there, and to request that
the President inform the French gov
ernment more clearly the meaning he
sought to convey. The French Ambas-
sador is understood to have made it
plain to the State Department that his
government was at loss to see justi-
fication for the assertions made by
President Wilson and to welcome any
fuller statement that would make un-
mistakable the meaning the President
intended.
The French Embassy to-day issued
statement for Marshal Foch denying
that the generalissimo was opposed to
the league of nations, as reported in
Paris dispatches printed in this country.