Paris Peace Conf. 184 82/2: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received December 21—10 a.m.]
67. For the Secretary of State. The press telegrams from Paris are now read with a great deal of interest and are the basis of discussion in Congress and editorial comment. The stories are frequently contradictory and sometimes obviously ridiculous. I take the liberty of suggesting that the press representatives be warned of [the danger] of speculation and if possible it might be desirable for someone in the mission to see the reports that are sent particularly by the press associations, not for the purpose of censorship, but to be in a position when desirable to inform the Department that reports are untrue so they could be contradicted.
[Page 216]The Associated Press under date of December 18th Paris, stated that the American delegation had resolved to advocate sinking of the surrendered warships. As a result of this story resolution was introduced in the Senate protesting against this policy. Suggest Department be authorized to contradict story if untrue.
I have warned press here against danger of accepting these press stories as facts and the danger of creating irritation against the Allies as a result of reported serious disagreements.