He had a right to his own opinion of the worth of a lawyer's advice and a right to act in accordance with that opinion.

If there was any injustice done, it was in his asking a lawyer to become a Peace Commissioner, thereby giving the impression that he desired his counsel and advice as to the negotiations in general, when in fact he did not.

But, disregarding the personal element, I consider that he was justified in his course, as the entire constitutional responsibility for the negotiation of a treaty was on his shoulders and he was, in the performance of his duty, entitled to seek advice from those only in whose judgment he had confidence.
In spite of this frank avowal of prejudice by the President there was no outward change in the personal and official relations between him and myself.

The breach, however, regardless of appearances, was too wide and too deep to be healed.

While subsequent events bridged it temporarily, it remained until my association with President Wilson came to an end in February, 1920.