Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17039
Date
1919 January 18
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
SATURDAY.
This was the history making day of the conference. It marked the first plenary session. Early in the day it appeared as though the President might be unable to be present. He awakened suffering from a very bad cold. However, by keeping him in bed until noon and giving him heroic treatment he was sufficiently rested and his cold enough under control, to allow him to proceed to the Quai D’Orsay for the session. It was remarked that this was the 45th Anniversary of the day the French and Germans signed the shameful peace at Versailles, in the Hall of Mirrors, where William I was proclaimed King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany. The President was accompanied to the Quay D’Orsay by Mrs. Wilson and myself. Mrs. Wilson left us at the entrance to the foreign office. Weather conditions could hardly have been worse and rain fell in torrents, but it did not seem to dampen the spirits of the crowd gathered at the entrance to the building to view the advent of the various notables. The President reached the famous clock room at exactly one minute to three. Most of the other delegates had already put in an appearance. The President was greeted at the entrance by Foreign Minister Pichon, who escorted him to his seat on the right of the chair reserved for Premier Clemenceau and directly in front of the big clock with the winged victory figure. At the left of Clemenceau sat Lloyd George heading the British delegation. The American delegates were seated in the following order: The President, Secretary of State Robert Lansing, a vacant chair for Colonel EM House, Henry White and General TH Bliss. To their right were seated the technical advisers of the American delegation, including Admiral Benson, BM Baruch, Vance McCormick and EH Hurley. I had a seat to the right of Admiral Benson, in close touch with the President, where he could reach me whenever he desired. At exactly three o’clock Clemenceau took his chair and called the assembly to order. He then introduced President Poincare, who delivered an address of welcome opening the conference. Poincare spoke in French and at the conclusion of his remarks it was translated into English by the official interpreter. The first real order of business after Poincare had concluded and withdrawn form the room was the selection of the permanent chairman of the conference. Under diplomatic precedent the selection was confined to the country in which the conference was held so it had been agreed upon that Clemenceau should be chosen. President Wilson made the nominating speech, placing the French Premier’s name before the conference. The hall was crowded, every seat being filled with the exception of the three set aside for the Japanese delegates who had not yet arrived. Gathered in the anti-chamber, watching the proceeding through curtained arches, were some five hundred newspaper men, representing nearly every country in the world excepting the enemy ones. The President’s speech was well received. (Copy attached). At the conclusion of the President’s speech Clemenceau took him by the hand and said:
“You are much too good Mr. President, you cover me with confusion.”
Seconding speeches were made by Lloyd George and Baron Sonnino. During his speech Lloyd George referred to Clemenceau as “The grand young man of France”, but the interpretor confused the term and translated it as “The grand old man”, whereupon Clemenceau got up and waved his hand in protest. Clemenceau put the motion for his own selection which was of course carried unanimously. The organization was then perfected by the selection of the secretariate. Adjournment was taken at 5:30. According to French custom when the presiding officer puts on his hat the meeting is adjourned, disregarding whether the members desire to adjourn or not. The President returned immediately to the Murat Palace and retired very early.
DIARY ENTRY:WW In bed from fatigue & threatened cold until 12. o’clock. Lunch.—arrived at the quea d’Orsayfor 3 o’clock for the first meeting of all Peace Commissioners. speakers—President Poincaré—The President—Lloyd George, Baron Soneno—nominating Clemanceau for President of the Conference. After the President’s speech—Clemenceau said to the President—“You are too good, Mr. President, you cover me with confusion.”Lloyd George referred to him as the Grand Young man of France—Interpreter made a mistake, grand old man—
This was the history making day of the conference. It marked the first plenary session. Early in the day it appeared as though the President might be unable to be present. He awakened suffering from a very bad cold. However, by keeping him in bed until noon and giving him heroic treatment he was sufficiently rested and his cold enough under control, to allow him to proceed to the Quai D’Orsay for the session. It was remarked that this was the 45th Anniversary of the day the French and Germans signed the shameful peace at Versailles, in the Hall of Mirrors, where William I was proclaimed King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany. The President was accompanied to the Quay D’Orsay by Mrs. Wilson and myself. Mrs. Wilson left us at the entrance to the foreign office. Weather conditions could hardly have been worse and rain fell in torrents, but it did not seem to dampen the spirits of the crowd gathered at the entrance to the building to view the advent of the various notables. The President reached the famous clock room at exactly one minute to three. Most of the other delegates had already put in an appearance. The President was greeted at the entrance by Foreign Minister Pichon, who escorted him to his seat on the right of the chair reserved for Premier Clemenceau and directly in front of the big clock with the winged victory figure. At the left of Clemenceau sat Lloyd George heading the British delegation. The American delegates were seated in the following order: The President, Secretary of State Robert Lansing, a vacant chair for Colonel EM House, Henry White and General TH Bliss. To their right were seated the technical advisers of the American delegation, including Admiral Benson, BM Baruch, Vance McCormick and EH Hurley. I had a seat to the right of Admiral Benson, in close touch with the President, where he could reach me whenever he desired. At exactly three o’clock Clemenceau took his chair and called the assembly to order. He then introduced President Poincare, who delivered an address of welcome opening the conference. Poincare spoke in French and at the conclusion of his remarks it was translated into English by the official interpreter. The first real order of business after Poincare had concluded and withdrawn form the room was the selection of the permanent chairman of the conference. Under diplomatic precedent the selection was confined to the country in which the conference was held so it had been agreed upon that Clemenceau should be chosen. President Wilson made the nominating speech, placing the French Premier’s name before the conference. The hall was crowded, every seat being filled with the exception of the three set aside for the Japanese delegates who had not yet arrived. Gathered in the anti-chamber, watching the proceeding through curtained arches, were some five hundred newspaper men, representing nearly every country in the world excepting the enemy ones. The President’s speech was well received. (Copy attached). At the conclusion of the President’s speech Clemenceau took him by the hand and said:
“You are much too good Mr. President, you cover me with confusion.”
Seconding speeches were made by Lloyd George and Baron Sonnino. During his speech Lloyd George referred to Clemenceau as “The grand young man of France”, but the interpretor confused the term and translated it as “The grand old man”, whereupon Clemenceau got up and waved his hand in protest. Clemenceau put the motion for his own selection which was of course carried unanimously. The organization was then perfected by the selection of the secretariate. Adjournment was taken at 5:30. According to French custom when the presiding officer puts on his hat the meeting is adjourned, disregarding whether the members desire to adjourn or not. The President returned immediately to the Murat Palace and retired very early.
DIARY ENTRY:WW In bed from fatigue & threatened cold until 12. o’clock. Lunch.—arrived at the quea d’Orsayfor 3 o’clock for the first meeting of all Peace Commissioners. speakers—President Poincaré—The President—Lloyd George, Baron Soneno—nominating Clemanceau for President of the Conference. After the President’s speech—Clemenceau said to the President—“You are too good, Mr. President, you cover me with confusion.”Lloyd George referred to him as the Grand Young man of France—Interpreter made a mistake, grand old man—
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 January 18, WWP17039, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.