Tasker Bliss letter to Nellie Bliss
May 8, 1919
Source: Bliss, Personal Correspondence,
Box 244, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
I have just written a line to Eleanor. I enclose a snapshot taken by a
French officer at Arras last Sunday. Also picture of American Peace Commission taken here in the Hotel. I
am trying to arrange to get off for five or six days' trip, beginning Saturday or Sunday, to go to Chaumont,
thence to Metz, Luxembourg, Treves, Coblentz, etc. Am not sure that I can arrange it but hope so. Tuesday
we had a secret Pleanry seance of the P.C. to listen to a stupid exposition of the Peace terms for the benefit
of the smaller Powers. None of us had seen the treaty. I have never seen such a glaring case of secret
diplomacy, notwithstanding all our protestations. The outrageous yielding to Japan on the Shantung
question could never have happened if it had not been done secretly. The protests of the world would have
prevented it. Thank God, my skirts are clear (or at least my conscience is) of any of the wrong doing.
Yesterday the Treaty was handed to the Germans. It was in the great dining room of the Trianon Palace
Hotel where my offices have been since 1917. I went out early and had fires lighted in my rooms, thinking
that the President would take Mrs. Wilson out, even though she could not see the ceremony. All the Allied
and associated Powers delegates assembled in the room before 3 P.M. We were arranged at a Double Ell
table, the open end being partly closed by a smaller table for the German Delegates. At 3 o'clock the latter
were ushered in, the other delegates rising. Brockdorff-Reutzan sat in the middle with two of his assistants
on each side. Mr. Clemenceau spoke for a moment what you have already read in the papers, rather stern
almost harsh. This was translated first into English and then into German. Then Reutzan read his remarks
which you have also seen. These were translated (very poorly) first into English and then into French. That
was all the ceremony. I did not see that the Treaty was actually handed to them, though I fancy a copy must
have been laid before Reutzan. French and English express much irritation because Reutzan read his
remarks sitting. But he is in an exceedingly broken, nervous physical condition. I don't believe he could
have stood on his feet. There is much dispute as to the wisdom of his remarks. Some think they were quite
tactful, others say that it was s shrewd statement. Now the question is "Will they sign? And, if so, how long
before they do so?"
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