Evening star., 1923-09-09
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.

1t was not a mere academic con-
troversy which people could discuss
hotly without passion. 1t divided
families. 1t caused quarrels among
lifelong friends. The mere mention
or the name of Wilson spoiled the
amenities of any dinner party and
transformed IL into a political meet
Ing.
In my first article for the New York
Times, recording my impressions OF
America, I slipped out the phrase that
was all for Wilson" I received,
without exaggeration, hundreds of
letters from all parts of the United
states putting me wise" to the thod-
sand and one reasons why wilson's
doings In Paris would be repudiated.
On the other hand, there were many
people who regarded him as the
greatest leader in the world and the
noblest idealist.
Ignorant, like most Englishmen, OF
the parties and personalities of
American politics az that time, l kept
my ears open to all this, but couldn't
avoid pitfalls. 1 made q delightful
gaffe," as the French would say,
by turning to one gentleman in the
Union Club before he acted as my
chairman to the lecture I was giving
there and asking him to tell me some
thing of Wilson's character and his
tory. 1t was Mr.. Charles f. Hughes,
who had been a candidate against
Wilson.
1t was the last question which I
ought to have asked, as people ex-
planned to me later. But 1 shall never
forget the fine and thoughtful way in
which Mr.. Hughes answered my ques-
tion and the subtlety with which he
analyzed Wilson's character. without
touch of personal aninosity or a
trace of meanness. 1 was aware that
! was in the presence OF n great in
tellect, and great gentleman.
/ had the opportunity OF talking to
MIR. Hughes on each of my three
Visits and while he was Secretary OF
State in Washington. and each time
! Was more impressed with the con-
viction that he was likely to become
one of the greatest statesmen of the
world, and. unlike many great states
men, had a fine and delicate sense of
honor, and desire for the well being.
not only of the United States, but of
the human race.
DETWEEN my first and second visits
- the United States had refused
to enter the league of nations. The
republican party had swept the country.
President Harding had succeeded Presi-
dent Wilson. I was received by the
President, and had little conversa-
tion with him, which ended in a mes
sage to the British people through the
Review Of Reviews. of which l had be-
come editor II was a message of af-
fectton and esteem for the nation,
which, he said, all Americans of the
old school regarded still as the mother
country generous and almost danger
GUS thing to be said by President of
the United States
A tall, heavy, handsome man, with
white hair and ruddy face, the new
President seemed to be kind-hearted
and honest. a year later I saw him
again, and had the honor of iutroduc-
ing my son Tony. lie was surprised
that ] had a son of that height and
age, and it reminded him instantly of
an anecdote referring to Chief Justice
White and little lawyer who intro
duced a tall, husky son to him. All"
said the Chief Justice. "a block of the
old chip, 1 see!''
I had the opportunity, and very ex-
traordinary honor, for foreign journal
ist, of giving evidence before the House
committee on naval disarmament. It
was a committee appointed to report on
the possibility of calling the Washing
ton conference | was summoned to
give evidence in Congress without any
time to prepare notes or a speech, and
when / took my place like a mouse In
a hole in the center of horseshoe of
raised seats occupied by about twenty
five members of the committee. l was
in a state of high tension, which I
masked by a supreme effort of nerve
control. For l was, to some extent,
speaking not only on behalf of Great
Britain, and taking upon myself the
responsibility of expressing the views of
my own people, but on behalf of all
idealists in all nations who looked to
the United States for leadership in the
way of international peace. knew
that / must be right in my facts and
figures, that ] must say nothing that
could give offense to the United States,
and nothing that would seem like dis
loyalty to England, while telling tho
truth, as far as I knew 1t, without re-
serve, regarding England's naval and
military burdens, the dangers existing
in Europe and the sentiment of the
British people.
After a preliminary statement last.
ing ten minutes or co, to which the
committee listened in absolute silence,
| was closely and shrewdly cross
examined by various members and
had to answer very difficult and
searching questions. 1t was one of
my lucky mornings. i came through
the ordeal better than could have
hoped. I was warmly congratulated
afterward by members of the Britt
ish embassy. who told me had said
the right things, and / honestly be-
lieved did a tiny bit of good to
England and the world that day.
% y y y
1FY lectures on the second visit
INI had nothing to do with the war.
except in it's effects, and I spoke
entirely on the subject of European
conditions, always with a. strong plea
to the United States to come In boldly