Finished my introduction for “Mayfair to Moscow” at one o’clock while
Mr. Liveright’s messenger waited in the hall for it.
At eight I dined with Mr. Wiley, and found my own photograph
framed between Lenin’s and Trotzky’s. A delicate compliment which
I appreciated and no one else noticed! The party consisted of the
Gerards, Col. and Mrs. House, the Walter Rosens, Arthur Pollen, the
English naval expert, and some others. Pollen held the table for some
time on the subject of disarmament and the attitude of England, and
was rather dogmatic. It was impossible to argue as he raised his voice
and seemed to resent controversy. I sat next to Mr. Gerard and felt he
was still the distinguished conspicuous U. S. Ambassador to Berlin of
1916--but he is like a war book--one has lost interest. He told us,
however, that Mr. Harding _had told_ him that he means to invite the
European premiers to Washington to confer on peace. Everyone seemed
agreed that it was a grand idea; everyone seemed agreed also that it
was madness to have so utterly destroyed the Central Powers. There was
a general “down” on France.
Mr. Pollen was right about the crumbling Europe and the necessity for
peace and agreement all round.
After dinner I had a little talk with Col. House whom I found very
sane-minded about Russia.
He agreed with me that I was right not to be drawn into political
arguments, as he said it would do no good, and I would be misunderstood.