Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-25

witnesses were present. were unwise
The silence with which the
President received my remarks ap-
peared to me significant of his attitude
toward this advice. In the
circumstances. think 1t was biunder
on my part to have stated my views
so frankly
This sort Of thing is repeated through
all the chapters of the book.
Mr.. Lansing summarizes his impress
sions of Mr.. Wilson in these words:
"Hc seemed TO think that, Savins
marked out a definite plan of action, any
deviation from II would SHOW intel
lectuel weakness or vacillntiop of pur-
nose. Even when there could be no
doubt that, in view Of changed condi-
tions. il was wise to change policy
which be had openly adopted or ap-
proved. he clung to 1t with peculiar
tenacity. refusing or merely failing TO
modify il.
Wilson'S Mind Infiexible
"AIr wilson's mind, once made up.
soomsd to become indexible. II appeared
tc grow imperyious to arguments and
oyen 10 facts. 1t lacked the elasticity
and receptivity which nave always been
Characteristic of sound Judgment and
right thinking. He might break. but
he would not bend.
This rigidity of mind accounts in
large measure for the deplorable and
no II seems to me. needless conflict be-
t,veen the President and the Senate
over the Treaty Of Versailles. II ac
counts for other incidents In his career
which have materially ~eakened his in e
nuence and cast doubts upon his wis
dom"
And again. in n memorandum which
Mr. Lansing wrote on March 80, during
the conference:
The Presidents obsession as to n
LeaVue of Nations blinds him to every
thing else An immediate peace i,
nothing to him compared to the adop
ton of the covenant The whole worlC
wants peace. The President wants hi,
league think that the world will have
| to wait.
Mr.. Lansing says il was to force this
! league upon the nations that the Pres
dent bargained as he did that he bough
! Japan with Shantung. ClCmenceau witt
! the French treaty, Italy with hazy nnt
| indefinite statements about Fiume
which led the Italians to depend upoI
| getting the city of d Annunzio's cru.
sade.
Differ on Article y
Mr.. Wilson. according to Mr.. Ian
sing, at first intended TO rush through
a sort of preliminary internationa
agreement which would, embody tn
League of Nations and which would b
in such form that the consent of tn
United States Congress would not b
necessary. He wanted to come back T.
this country with the league alrcad
successfully functioning.
Mr.. Lansing told him that such
method was impossible. that no forr
of agreement could be binding upo
this country without the consent @
Congress. Other lawyers upheld thi
view and the President was reluctant
compelled TO abandon the plan.
But he was determined that tn
league covenant should be written int
whatever treaty was negotiated au
here again the Lansing view differc
radically from his.
Mr.. Lansing wanted quick peace
He advocated a preliminary treaty tina
would restore trade and commerce an
that would contain n resolution provid
ing for a further convention to dra'
up the convention for the propose
league. He himself prepared such
resolution. In fact. he even prepare
n tentative draft of league covenar