Oct. 22, 1920
… There will probably be a fight on the issue (of the admission of Germany and Austria) at Geneva, but I must be frank to say that after my talks with members of the Secretariat, I am very doubtful of their admission at this time. France is too [definitely] set against it. One of England's most distinguished statesmen told me today that he was very doubtful how far we could make France go at this time …
This morning at 10 I saw Lord Bryce -- was with him until 11. He asked me to be one of his American correspondents to help keep him in touch with our affairs. He bitterly denounces the peace treaty, reparations, the Tyrol provision, the disposition of Macedonia and the parceling up of Austria and Hungary. He urged that these things were only possible because the truth about them had never been told to the people of the victorious powers. He said that in his judgment our Association was doing a most necessary work and one which in America of all countries was vitally needed. He added that we must be prepared for disappointments and for setbacks, because in many ways we were trying to solve an insolvable problem, but that all the more must liberal and honest people put their best energies into it.
He showed a remarkable grasp of the details of our political situation, assessed Harding at his true worth and was keen for Cecil's coming. He felt that Cecil of all Englishmen could now do most good -- a judgment by the way which Ramsay MacDonald confirmed this afternoon.
Lord Bryce was much interested in our Russian volume and expressed himself as distressed by our Russian policy. He could not understand it and was pleased to have me try to explain how we could possibly maintain such a reactionary attitude. We discussed the Japan situation at some length. He could not see why a treaty should not be in fact the "supreme law of the land."
This afternoon I have tea with Ramsay MacDonald, who has just returned from Georgia, and the Near East by the way of Germany. He says everywhere the French influences are struggling against any modification of the treaty arrangements, except in the direction of greater severity. He believes, and in this many others share, that France is looking for an excuse to occupy the Rhine basin.
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