It does not appear to me that the use of physical force is in any way practical or advisable.
"I presume that you are far more familiar than I am with the details of the plans of the League and that it may be presumptuous on my part to write you as I have.

I nevertheless felt it my duty to frankly give you my views on the subject and I have done so.
"Faithfully yours "ROBERT LANSING "THE PRESIDENT "_The White House_" The President, thus early advised of my unqualified opposition to any plan which was similar in principle to the one advocated by the League to Enforce Peace, naturally concluded that I would look with disfavor on an international guaranty which by implication, if not by declaration, compelled the use of force to give it effect.

Doubtless he felt that I would not be disposed to aid in perfecting a plan which had as its central idea a guaranty of that nature.

Disliking opposition to a plan or policy which he had originated or made his own by adoption, he preferred to consult those who without debate accepted his judgment and were in sympathy with his ideas.

Undoubtedly the President by refraining from asking my advice spared himself from listening to arguments against the guaranty and the use of force which struck at the very root of his plan, for I should, if I had been asked, have stated my views with entire frankness.
The other reason for not consulting me, as I now realize, but did not at the time, was that I belonged to the legal profession.