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233 1 I Arrive at Paris. Repercussion of the American Election. Wilson’s Supreme Problem in Europe. Attitude of American Soldiers toward the War. Colonel House. NOVEMBER 1, 1918 (continued) On reaching Paris from Italy on Monday morning, I spent an hour getting a cab at the station, such was the rush, and I tried five different hotels before I could get a room. What a different Paris I found from that of last July and August ! It was a crowded, gay, busy Paris, all the stores ablaze, cabs swarming the streets and in the Place de la Concorde a great exhibition, crowded with spectators , of captured German guns, flying machines, tanks—guns of all sizes and by the hundreds—extending well up the Champs-Élysées. Paris, with all the old, gay heedlessness of the mistress of the nations! Her lips are new rouged, her eyebrows penciled, and from the fringes of her dark raiment—for she is in mourning—hang glittering jet spangles, promising a swift and forgetful return to her former gaiety. Colonel House’s commission is installed in a fine old residence in the Rue de l’Université, number 78, where I went immediately to see Auchincloss and had a talk. I was much pleased by his references to my reports to the State Department . He even said they were the most helpful that had been coming out of Europe. I saw Colonel House for only a moment. He is a busy man—with these international conferences crowded upon him. When I suggested that I had now completed my work and wanted to go home, he told me I ought not to think of it; I should remain here and help. It is indeed more necessary now than ever before that the position of the working classes of the nations be kept constantly in mind. Their support may save or destroy the peace. I also met Frank Cobb,1 who is here to take care of the publicity side of the 1. Frank Irving Cobb (1869–1923) was the chief editorial writer for the New York World 234 | The Paris Peace Conference work. Mr. Auchincloss said he thought I ought not to think of going home; but to remain here and help—which I am, of course, glad to do. I finished my Italian report and got it immediately into the hands of Mr. Auchincloss, who read it immediately and said he thought it most important and would see that Colonel House got it at once. It is most necessary that the condition among the socialists and working classes of the nations be kept constantly in mind; I feel sure that I can help in this connection. On Wednesday night I dined with Jaccaci2 and Bert Boyden3 —most enjoyable meeting with much-loved old friends. There is nothing else like it, for satisfaction; and they are both such true men. Yesterday luncheon with Walter Lippmann, now a captain, and a long talk over the present situation and Wilson’s problems. Wilson’s great fight is before him. The cynical governments here have given nothing but lip service to our ideals and now that victory is coming, and they need us less, they are already returning to their ancient policies and practices. Our only hope, as I have tried constantly to show in my letters to the State Department, lies in the masses underneath—the workers. The problem for Wilson, and for all of us who are supporting him, is to know how to utilize their tremendous latent power in achieving our purposes—utilize it without bringing anarchy. The time is nearly come when we shall have to take sides in the great internal struggle that until now has been more or less held in abeyance by the experiences of a foreign war. In each nation the issue is being vigorously drawn. It is clearly recognized in America. In America the old reactionary Republicans under Roosevelt and Lodge are making a bitter fight to return a Congress at the election next week unfavorable to Wilson. Wilson himself has had to appeal to the country and, from echoes we get here, the fight must be very bitter. It is perceived how truly radical are the Fourteen Points, and Wilson is now openly charged with being a socialist! Truly the lines are being drawn, and though there is real danger and served on the Inquiry, the semiofficial preparatory committee for the peace conference, established by Wilson in 1917. 2...

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