Frankly, but at the same time tactfully, the scholar explained the efforts of the American commission to bring at least a partially sane peace out of an insane war. President Wilson was being opposed, not merely by all the jealousies and greeds and fears of Europe, but by the reactionary elements at home, the big-money interests and our newly awakened militarism. Just now there was a crisis over the subject of Russia and a decision might be taken at any hour. The President wanted to get the warring factions together in a council hall; while the French and British military men wanted invasions on a big scale.
“I don't know whether you have heard it or not,” said Alston, “but Winston Churchill is in Paris now, for the purpose of urging a real war to put down Bolshevism. Foch has been demanding it from the day of the armistice, and the whole French General Staff is with him. Clemenceau is beginning to waver — and of course Lloyd George wavers all the time.”
“What's the use of telling all this to me?” questioned Uncle Jesse.
The professor looked about him uneasily, and asked: “May I sit down? I have not been well.”
The painter knew that he hadn't been a gentleman, and he stood up. “Have my chair,” he said.
“This is all right,” replied the other, and sat on the edge of the cot. Lanny pushed some books aside and rested on a corner of the table.
“Mr. Blackless, nobody in our staff at the Crillon wants any more war; and there's a group of us who are convinced that concessions have to be made and an armistice brought about in Russia before there can be any real peace. That doesn't mean that we are sympathetic to Bolshevism, but it does mean that we have studied the forces which brought on the revolution, and we don't consider it possible to set back the clock of history. My own position is entirely that of a scientist — ”
“What sort of a scientist?”
“I am a geographer and ethnologist, but just now I have been set the task of finding out what some of the peoples of Europe want.”
“You have your hands full, Professor.”