Paris Peace Conf. 811.001/187a: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to President Wilson
913. Personal and confidential for President Wilson from Vance McCormick.
My conferences with Belgians and French have impressed me with the very great desirability of your landing on your return at Antwerp and proceeding to Paris through Belgium and invaded regions of France. I feel that far more than local considerations would be involved in such a procedure and that it would beneficially affect political forces which cannot be ignored. There has been a distinct improvement in the atmosphere here at Paris within the last fortnight and I believe that announcement of your intention to return via Belgium and Northern France would go far toward maintaining our relations with France and Belgium on this more favorable basis. I also point out that you may consider it preferable to make your second landing in Europe in a country which you as President have not yet visited and where a new welcome would accordingly be awaiting you. I have talked this over with Colonel House who heartily approves.