Delivery of the Peace Treaty to the German
  Plenipotentiaries May 7, 1919

Signing of Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919

Signing of Treaty of Assistance with France June 28, 1919

Departure of President for the United States June 28, 1919

Departure of Mr. Lansing from Paris for United
  States July 12, 1919

Hearing of Mr. Lansing before Senate Committee on
  Foreign Relations August 6, 1919

Conference of Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  with the President at the White House August 19, 1919

Hearing of Mr. Bullitt before Senate Committee on
  Foreign Relations September 12, 1919

Return of President to Washington from tour
  of West September 28, 1919

Resignation of Mr. Lansing as Secretary
  of State February 13, 1920

CHAPTER I

REASONS FOR WRITING A PERSONAL NARRATIVE

“While we were still in Paris, I felt, and have felt increasingly ever since, that you accepted my guidance and direction on questions with regard to which I had to instruct you only with increasing reluctance....

“...  I must say that it would relieve me of embarrassment, Mr. Secretary, the embarrassment of feeling your reluctance and divergence of judgment, if you would give your present office up and afford me an opportunity to select some one whose mind would more willingly go along with mine.”

These words are taken from the letter which President Wilson wrote to me on February 11, 1920.  On the following day I tendered my resignation as Secretary of State by a letter, in which I said: 

“Ever since January, 1919, I have been conscious of the fact that you no longer were disposed to welcome my advice in matters pertaining to the negotiations in Paris, to our foreign service, or to international affairs in general.  Holding these views I would, if I had consulted my personal inclination alone, have resigned as Secretary of State and as a Commissioner to Negotiate Peace.  I felt, however, that such a step might have been misinterpreted both at home and abroad, and that it was my duty to cause you no embarrassment in carrying forward the great task in which you were then engaged.”

The President was right in his impression that, “while we were still in Paris,” I had accepted his guidance and direction with reluctance.  It was as correct as my statement that, as early as January, 1919, I was conscious that he was no longer disposed to welcome my advice in matters pertaining to the peace negotiations at Paris.

There have been obvious reasons of propriety for my silence until now as to the divergence of judgment, the differences of opinion and the consequent breach in the relations between President Wilson and myself.  They have been the subject of speculation and inference which have left uncertain the true record.  The time has come when a frank account of our differences can be given publicity without a charge being made of disloyalty to the Administration in power.