January 18, 1919

In accepting the presidency of the Peace Conference today M. Clemenceau gave the delegates assembled from all over the world a taste of his quality. No typescript was in his hand, there was no rustling of papers. He drew his inspiration from the world audience before him. No “releases” came to us or to the representatives of the world press; and I am glad I took down his noble words just as they were spoken, as they came, not from his secretariat, but from his great heart. He said:

“I cannot avoid trying to express my deep gratitude to the illustrious President of the United States, to the British Premier, and to Baron Sonnino, for the words they have spoken. I am profoundly touched by their attitude and I recognize in it a new force which will aid all three of us, with the co-operation of all the delegates, to push to a successful conclusion the difficult task that awaits us. In a word from these expressions of friendship I draw a renewed confidence in the success of our joint efforts. … It is indeed a noble and a lofty ambition which animates us, and I pray that success may attend our labors —but this success cannot be attained unless we are determined to realize our high ideals. This I said in the Chamber of Deputies a few days ago, but I want to insist upon it here. The achievement of our purpose is not possible unless we remain firmly united. Here we have met as friends, from here we must go as brothers. That is the thought that is uppermost in my heart today, and I would add that all else must be subordinated to the necessity of a union growing ever closer between the peoples who have taken part in the Great War. The League of Nations is here. It is in you, but you must inspire it with the breath of life, and this we cannot do unless that purpose and determination is in our hearts.

“If, as I have already said to President Wilson, we are to accomplish our great purpose, there must be no sacrifice which we are not ready and willing to make. I do not doubt that you enter upon our joint labors in this spirit, and I am confident we shall achieve our high purpose, but this can only be done if, in a spirit of impartiality, we reconcile our interests which are only apparently conflicting. We must be inspired by our clear vision of the world that is to come, the vision of a greater and a nobler civilization.

“The program of this Conference was drawn up by President Wilson; as you see it is not merely a territorial peace having regard to expanses of territory, however vast, that will occupy our attention. It is not merely to establish a peace, speaking in the terms of continents, that we have come together. We meet to establish for all time peace among the peoples of the earth.

“This, our program, speaks for itself. I shall not add a superfluous word. Let us work speedily and well. Gentlemen, to our task!”