Paris Peace Conf. 184.01102/333
Professor A. C. Coolidge to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received April 10.]
Sirs: I have the honor to report that I wish to urge very seriously to the consideration of the Commission the suggestion recently made to me by the Chief of Police that the presence of considerable guard of American (or English) soldiers with the food trains coming here would have an excellent effect on public opinion. This presence could not be regarded as objectionable, but would seem most natural under the difficult circumstances now existing. In any case no one could look this gift-horse in the mouth. I believe that a little not too ostentatious marching of these escorts through the streets—in the way that the English detachment of one or two hundred men marched here in January—would run small risk of provoking trouble, and that it would hearten many people here who today see no soldiers except the Volkswehr and some stray Italians. It would give an impression of strength, as well as of good will, and might even have a steadying effect on the government, as well as help to cool the elements that are making for disorder.
I have [etc.]