Paris Peace Conf. 811.001/11: Telegram
Colonel E. M. House to the Secretary of State
19. For the President. According to present plans I understand that you will arrive in Paris at 10 a.m. on Saturday December 14. Upon your arrival you will be taken at once to your residence. At 12:30 a large formal lunch will be given in your honor at the Elysees Palace by the President. A committee of laboring men and socialists headed by Albert Thomas, Renaud, Geer, and Cabrain, wishes to present you with an address at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday the 14th and to hold a monster parade in your favor at that time. This is not definite but will probably take place. On Monday December 16, a formal reception will be tended you and Mrs. Wilson by the city of Paris at the Hotel de Ville at 2:30 p.m. and I have accepted for you.
I have told Wiseman to tell Balfour and George that you will [reserve?] Tuesday December 17, Wednesday December 18, and possibly the 19th free for conferences with them and I expect that both Balfour and George will be in Paris on the 17th. December 19 and 20th the King of Italy, the Italian Prime Minister and Baron Sonnino will be in Paris. The French and Belgian Governments are most insistent that you should make a trip to the devastated regions of France and Belgium. Accordingly the French Government are making arrangements for you to take a trip beginning December 26 which will occupy approximately 3 days through northern France and Belgium. At the same time it is planned that you should visit our army. Your trip to Italy, which I believe is necessary, might be begun on December 29 or 30th in order that you may return to Paris by January 3 or 4th for the first formal conference of the Allies. Clemenceau has told me that the English elections, the French celebrations, and the official visits to Paris have made it absolutely impossible to begin these formal conferences before January 3 or 4th.
Will you please let me know if you wish me to take any particular action with reference to the foregoing.