500.C114/767a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Rand)
For Root. President has had several interviews on subject of your proposal, and he is convinced of validity of suggestion contained in Senator Walsh’s letter (Department’s telegram, March 8, 8 p.m.) that third paragraph of your draft should be omitted as there can be no question that Council of the League may consult this Government at any time. To include a provision for this purpose in any arrangement to be made would arouse bitter opposition from the anti-League of Nations Senators, signs of which have already appeared in the Hearst press,
President is anxious to have necessary changes adopted with least possible friction, and does not see any necessity, from point of view either of this Government or of the League, for inclusion of this third paragraph, which is purely permissive in character.