Mr.Wilson relied upon Colonel House for his knowledge of the views and temperaments of the men with whom he had to deal.

It was not strange that he should adopt a method which the Colonel had found successful in the past and that he should seek the latter's aid and advice in connection with the secret conferences which usually took place at the residence of the President.
Mr.Wilson pursued this method of handling the subjects of negotiation the more readily because he was by nature and by inclination secretive.
He had always shown a preference for a private interview with an individual.

In his conduct of the executive affairs of the Government at Washington he avoided as far as possible general conferences.

He talked a good deal about "taking common counsel," but showed no disposition to put it into practice.

He followed the same course in the matter of foreign affairs.