Paris Peace Conf. 184.1 Noble, George B.
Lieutenant George B. Noble to the Secretary General of the Commission to Negotiate Peace (Grew)
Dear Mr. Grew: I should like to express to you, and, through you, to the members of the American Peace Commission, my sentiments on the Peace Settlement which is under way. I have found that my feelings are echoed by a surprisingly large number of persons connected with the American Commission.
I feel that the Peace, as proposed, will be an exceedingly dangerous settlement,—if it could be called a ‘settlement’,—of world affairs. I believe it to be provocative of future wars, rather than a guarantee of world peace. I believe it will stir up strife among the nations, rather than allay it. I feel that the idealism of America has been very largely sacrificed on the altar of imperialism. One need not go beyond the mention of Shantung to establish his case.
I have endeavored to be as useful as possible to the Commission, but I feel that that usefulness is largely at an end, and I put my services at your disposal, knowing, as you now do, my feelings.
Very respectfully yours,