[The Peace Negotiations by Robert Lansing]@TWC D-Link bookThe Peace Negotiations CHAPTER I 5/11
But I know of none.
The true story can only be told from the intimate and personal point of view.
As I intend to tell the true story I offer no further apology for its personal character. Before beginning a recital of the relations existing between President Wilson and myself during the Paris Conference, I wish to state, and to emphasize the statement, that I was never for a moment unmindful that the Constitution of the United States confides to the President the absolute right of conducting the foreign relations of the Republic, and that it is the duty of a Commissioner to follow the President's instructions in the negotiation of a treaty.
Many Americans, some of whom are national legislators and solicitous about the Constitution, seem to have ignored or to have forgotten this delegation of exclusive authority, with the result that they have condemned the President in intemperate language for exercising this executive right.
As to the wisdom of the way in which Mr.Wilson exercised it in directing the negotiations at Paris individual opinions may differ, but as to the legality of his conduct there ought to be but one mind.
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