If, however, the matter related even remotely to his personal conduct he seemed unwilling to debate the question.

My conclusion is that he considered his going to the Peace Conference was his affair solely and that he viewed my objections as a direct criticism of him personally for thinking of going.

He may, too, have felt that my opposition arose from a selfish desire to become the head of the American Commission.

From that time forward any suggestion or advice volunteered by me was seemingly viewed with suspicion.

It was, however, long after this incident that I began to feel that the President was imputing to me improper motives and crediting me with disloyalty to him personally, an attitude which was as unwarranted as it was unjust.
The President having determined to go to Paris, it seemed almost useless to urge him not to become a delegate in view of the fact that he had named but four Commissioners, although it had been arranged that the Great Powers should each have five delegates in the Conference.