South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-05


their pledge only IN part, while the
French We're disregarding IL entirely.
The presidents protests were specific
and repeated. but only England
needed them"
The cleverness Of the French, says
Mr.. Creel, was never more apparent
than IN their cOnCealment of respon-
sibillty for the unfortunate COndi-
ton, FOR it was even the case that
they persuaded many TO believe that
Pres't Wilson himself was the source
OF repression. 50 intelligent an OBJ
server as DIR. r.. j. Dillon was de-
celVcd. and has written as follows in
his Inside story of the Peace Con-
ference:
ut was characteristic OF the sys-
tenn t'.JL two American citizens were
emp ed TO read the cablegrams ar
rivins from the United States to
French newspapers The object was
the suppression Of such MESA es as
tended TO throw the doubt on the
useful belief that the people of the
great American republic were solid
behind their president, ready to ap-
prove his decisions and acts, and that
his cherished covenant, sure of rati-
fcauon, would serve as a safe guar
anty to all the states which the ap-
plication Of his various principles
might leave strategically exposed. In
this way many interesting items OF
intelligence from the United States
were kept out OF the newspapers,
while others We're mutilated and al
most all were delayed. Protests
were unavailng. Nor was ii until
several months were gone by that
the French public became aware OF
the existence of d strong current of
American opinion which favored a
critical attitude toward Mr.. wilson's
policy and justified misgivings as 10
the finality OF his decisions. IL was
q. sorry e21pedient and an unsuccess-
full one"
Nothing could be further from the
facts, declares Mr.. Creel:
There was no such censorship,
and never at any time were two
American citizens employed for any
such purpose. The proof of IL may
be found in the Paris press OF De-
cember and January. Every paper,
on its front page, carried daily dis
patches from Washington informing
the French people that Wilson was
not the spokesman of the United
States but only a repudiated poll
ticiau. on Dec. is Sen. Knox made
bitter attack upon the League of
Nations, declaring that the whole
question should wait until the allies
I had imposed their terms and on
Dec. 20 Sen. Lodge delivered a
/ lengthy address along the same lines.
Both of these speeches were played
up in the French and English press,
and other regular features were the
assaults OF Roosevelt. Also on Dec.
q Sen. Lodge made a speech in
favor OF Clemenceau's appeal for
secret sessions and this was re-
printed with keen delight. As carly
as Jan. 1 such papers as J. Echo de
Paris and the London Morning Post
were carrying editorials stating that
the attitude OF the republican SEN
ate majority placed full power in
the hands OF the allies but that this
power must be used wisely, As any
open humiliation of Mr.. Wilson
might be resented
Ray Stannard Baker. attached TO
the American peace commission at
the time, has given proof OF the eX-
tent TO which the campaign was or
ganized and directed.
"A secret document showing how
the French prcss-G large part OF
which is VIGOROUSLY controlled by
the govcrnment-we being mar
shaled against the influence Of the
president and i'm support of French
interests actually came into the
possession Of one OF the American
commissions. II was in the form OF
official suggestions OF policy OF
French newspaper editors, and II
contained three items:
First, they were advised 10 en-
phasiZe the opposition 10 Mr. VIII
son in America, by giving all the
news possible regarding the speeches
OF republican senators and other
American critics.
secondly, 10 emphasize the dis
order and anarchy in Russia, there
by stimulating the movement toward
allied military intervention.
Thirdly 20 publish articles show
ing the ability OF GeKnany 20 pay
a large indemnify
No council chamber. comments
Mr, Creel in general agreement with
most other critics " the conference
ever witnessed the meeting Of four
more widely diSsimilar personalities
than those that faced in Paris for
the purpose of restoring peace and
order 10 distracted, war-torn
world" He specifies.
In character. temperament. train
ing. culture. ideas and ideals the
president. Clemenceau. Lloyd George.
and SOunino stood out as studies in
] contrast. and these differences were
rendered more acute by a conflict in