Letter from Hugh Gibson to Mary Gibson

Paris, Thursday, April 10, 1919

… You would be amused if you could see the job that has been given me… .

This afternoon Dr. Kellogg got back from Poland with a lot of interesting talk. A lot has been accomplished and he is reassured about the food but there is so much remaining to be done that it is rather overwhelming… . Znamięcki also came in to see me for a few minutes. Paderewski has taken him on as a sort of exalted private secretary and he is in the thick of things.

Diary Entry

Paris, April 11, 1919

Colonel House wanted to tell me that the president had decided to appoint me as minister to Warsaw and that the papers would be signed almost at once. He had just sent a telegram to the department saying that I was going to Warsaw, Dick Crane to Prague and Norman Hapgood to Copenhagen. These are to be made as recess appointments. I was asked to say nothing about it until the president could complete the signature, etc.

Letter from Gibson to Mary Gibson

Paris, Saturday, April 12, 1919

… Late in the afternoon Colonel House sent for me to present me to Paderewski and talk a little about Poland. P. told me something of what our people were accomplishing in Poland and was moved to tears in telling about it. We get lots of kind words about what our people do but it is rather refreshing to see that much real feeling about it… .

Letter from Gibson to Mary Gibson

Paris, Sunday, April 13, 1919

… I saw Colonel House during the afternoon and had a little talk about my plans. I don't believe anything is settled until it is settled but there ought to be some sort of decision as to my plans within a day or two at most. I am as usual impatient to be off to the job if I am to have it. If I get what now seems to be on the way it will suit me a great deal better than the Prague job although goodness know that was tempting enough. It will be so much good luck that it taxes credulity and I hardly dare think about it until it is really nailed down… .

Letter from Gibson to Mary Gibson

Paris, Monday, April 14, 1919

… In conformity with my traditional habit I have spent the day in trying to get some definite news as to what I am to do next. All I need in the world now is a signature from the Great White Father [Woodrow Wilson] and then I can set out for a new job,—but thus far there has been no signature from the GWF… .