New-York tribune., 1921-03-25
Lansing Lays
Bare DiscOrd
With Wilson
CONTINUED from paue one)


to make peace at the earliest possible
moment. This he thought could be
done by April 1, 1919. Delay of peace
for the purpose of completing the
league he considered an unwarranted
risk. The President, however, thought
otherwise, and Mr.. Lansing found it
possible to infer that the President was
disposed to employ the world desire
for peace as a means to compel other
governments to accept his plan for a
league.
Chief Principle Ignored
Self determination was a phrase of
the Presidents that Mr.. Lansing con-
sidered loaded with dynamite; bound
to cause impossible demands and to
stir up trouble in many countries This
principle, he says, was discredited when
Germany was refused permission to
join with Austria, and it was ignored
in the Presidents policy toward Rus
STA. That the proposed defensive
treaty with France was bad; that it
would certainly be rejected by the
American Senate, and that it discredit-
ed Article x, which Mr. Wilson consid-
cred vital to the treaty, was the opin-
ion of Mr.. Lansing during the peace
conference. He indicates his belief
that Clemenceau insisted on the de-
fcnsive treaty as the price of support
of the league.
Mr.. Lansing finds the mandate
system of administering conquered ter
rltories selfish device benetiting ma
terial interests of the mandate holding
powers under cover of apparent altru-
ism. 1t was sought to take advantage
of the unselfishness of the American
people to impose burdensome mandates
on the United States, while giving prof
liable ones to European powers.
Mr. Lansing opposed the mandate
system in talking with Colonel House,
but never knew whether his objections
were conveyed to the President. In
connection with other problems, his
communications sent directly to the
President were never acknowledged, ac-
cording to Mr.. Lansing, who found Mr..
Wilson intolerant Of suggestions, irri-
tated by opposition and seemingly sus-
picious of the secretary's views after
November 12, 1918, when Mr.. Lansing
incurred his displeasure by urging him
not to go to Paris personally.
Mr. Lansing discusses the testimony
of William c. Bulitt before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee. Mr.. Bull
litt quoted Mr.. Lansing as saying that
if the American people understood
what the treaty let them in for they
would defeat it. Mr.. Bullitt entirely
changed the meaning of what had been
said to him in Paris, Mr.. Lansing de-
clares. The President at this time was
campaigning for the League of Nations
bo Nv %o1o
graphed to him Offering to explain the
interview with Bullltr, but, he says, the
President never answered his telegram.
Because of the pressing need of
peace, Secretary Lansing, despite his
differences with Mr.. Wilson, continued
to favor ratification of the treaty and
covenant without reservations. This he
did as long as there was chance to
secure an early peace by this method.
High Lights of Book
Some of the high spots of Mr.. Ian
sings book are shown in the following
textual extracts:
~ cannot but feel that my open
opposition to his attending the con-
ference was considered by the Presi-
dent to be an unwarranted meddling
with his personal affairs and was none
of my business"
"He (Mr. Wilson, said with great
candor and emphasis that he did not
intend to have lawyers drafting the
treaty of peace. The Presidents sweep
ing disapproval .of members of the
legal profession participating in the
treaty making seemed to be, and be-
lieve was. intended to be notice to
me that my counsel was unwelcome."
Gone may infer that the President
was disposed to employ the general
longing for peace as means of ex-
erting pressure on the delegates in
Paris and on their governments to
accept his plan for, a league"
"The President having in the re-
port Con the League of Nations) de-
olared The American Policy. his COM
missioned representatives were bound
to acquiesce in his decision, whatever
their personal views were. Acquies-
cence or resignation was the choice"
II think that it is not unjust to say
that President Wilson was stronger in
his hatred than in his friendships
He seemed to lack the ability to for
give one who had in~any way offended
him or opposed him"
The time given to the formulation
OF the covenant of the League of Ma