Washington, December 20th

No one at this time appreciated more fully the danger of the situation and the probability of impending tragedy in world affairs than did President Lowell of Harvard, an ardent advocate of harmonizing the views now in open conflict. He had several conferences with Colonel House at this time and also with key men here in Washington. His final report is revealed in these words to House and other supporters of the League:

“It has seemed to me that the differences between the League as adopted in Paris and as changed by the reservations reported and apparently approved by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations are not very important, and that with good will they might be reconciled. But I must admit that even with the utmost effort I have found it impossible to mediate or even to bring the President and the Republican Senators who are in favor of slight amendments together for a conference.”