tentatively at least, to have the peace
terms an'i the League of Nations cov
enant separated, the situation came
very near to a breaking point and
probaibly was avoided only because
the President thought it more impor
tant not to let European statesmen
see spilt in the American peace dele
gation. While Mr. Lansing probably
saw and conferred with the President
i in Paris as much as any other mem-
bcrs of the American mission, it was
a matter of remark that he saw him
very little.
However, the ineident which came
nearer causing a break that any
I other was the sensational testimony
! of William C. Bullitt, one of the ex-
perts attached to the American peace
mission, oeiore me senaie lurtigu il
lations committe. Bullitt, as will be
recalled, reading from a diary, quot
ed Secretary Lansing as having told
him be was out of sympathy with
i the League of Nations co enant ana
as predicting that the treaty would
fail if the American people ever
learned of its
full import. '
Mr. Lansing, obviously m a very
difficult position, did not repudiate j
Bullitt's statements, although it was
momentarily expected in Washington 1
that he either would repudiate them
or resign his office. President Wil-
son was set mt tunc w,, .u...,-,
tour in the West. To say that he
was upset by Bullitt's story and his
quotations of the secretary of state
puts it mildly. Officials in the pres
idential nartv who knew the work
ings of the President's mind expect
ed" to see the secretary's resignation
asked for when the president return
ed to Washington. These same offi
cials believe now that the breakdown
which sent the president Ron-.,; a
very sick man was the only thing
which prevented it.
