500.A15a3/1217: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Armour) to the Secretary of State

349. Following telegram for Gibson at Rome from Wilson repeated to you for your information:

“New York Herald has received following telegram from New York: ‘Washington says Gibson has free hand to try to bring France and Italy together and may visit Rome.’

I have declined all comment. If you have any suggestion as to comment, telegraph Armour.

Unless you have special task for me here I think it better under present circumstances to leave Paris.”

Could the Department inform me as soon as possible whether it has authorized any such statement and what response if any it desires to be made to the many inquiries from the correspondents here that will undoubtedly result from this story.

Armour