Page:Czechoslovakia's tribute to the memory of Woodrow Wilson.djvu/20

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moned me to him, requested that we should bring our campaign to an end, promised to use his influence in moderating the disputes and obtaining help and desired that I should sign the protocol agreed upon in regard to the matter. He explained concisely his views and emphasized the absurdity of the fact that two liberated nations should squabble with each other. In accordance with his express desire which he repeated once more I agreed to sign the protocol.

From time to time he called me to him when he wished to know any special questions of Central Europe.

When the text of the well-known minority treaties had been prepared he summoned me to him and opened a conversation on the nationality relations in Central Europe generally. The discussion was a long one; he wished to be informed as to the general questions and as to what these treaties were to include. He was particularly interested in the psychology of the national minorities and asked to what extent it would be possible in future minority problem by realising democracy.

On another occasion he summoned me to negotiate on disarmament. I wished, in opposition to the rest, to propose a plan for the gradual disarmament of the European nations. Before the matter was officially discussed Wilson wished to be informed as to the state of affairs in Central Europe and to what extent the idea could be realized here. These points show what interested him most of all.

The negotiations with Wilson belong to my best memories of the Peace Conference. He was always well-disposed towards us and was pleased that he had been able to help Czechoslovakia.

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Our people understood and appreciated President Wilson and his native land. He was for long their strengthening consolation and hope, their helper and friend, and today he will be their model of a citizen and a democrat.

A great American and a great man is dead, a man to whose work we owe a great dea in our fight for freedom. He will long live in the memory of us all!

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