Cary T. Grayson Diary

Cary T. Grayson Diary

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

WWP17046

1919 January 25

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

English

SATURDAY, We attended the second plenary session of the Peace Conference. It was again presided over by Premier Clemenceau and the general program for the conference was adopted. The first business was the creation of a committee to take over the framing of the constitution of the League of Nations. President Wilson made a very strong speech, emphasizing the necessity for the creation of the League. His speech was declared by many of those who had heard it, to have been the best since his arrival in France. Only one of his hearers defied the rule of no demonstration of approval and applauded vigorously. This was Jesse H. Jones, a tall Texan, who recognizes no foreign formalities. The President moved that the committee be made up of two representatives from each of the five great powers and three representatives to be selected from the smaller nations. Incidentally, later on, by agreement, this committee was increased, so there were six delegated from the smaller nations. Following translation of the President’s speech into French, Premier Hughes of Australia demanded to know whether debate would be allowed on the constitution when it was finally framed. He was assured it would be. The Belgium representatives then protested against the limitations which fixed the representation of the smaller nations at only three members. The protest was backed up by Brazil, Greece, Serbia and several of the other smaller nations, they taking the position that the small nations had been overrun by Germany and the central powers and had large problems that would be affected by the League of Nations program. Lloyd George and Orlando seconded the President’s original motion and the feeling was running rather high, indicating the imminence of the first open break when Clemenceau took the floor and made an impartial plea for the original plan. He said it had been his experience in his many years of political life, that the larger the committee, the less work accomplished. He assured the smaller nations that their rights would be amply and completely protected and upon that assurance, the demand for increased representation was withdrawn and the original plan adopted by unanimous vote.

Committees were appointed to pass upon the personal guilt and responsibility of the authors of the war; on the internationalization of the waterways; on the queston of reparation and damages and on the League of Nations. President Wilson was made chairman of the League of Nations Committee and the conference adjourned, having set all this machinery in motion.

DIARY ENTRY: Visited Bender at Louisiana Hotel, Better.
Lunch at Palace Murat as usual.
Attended 2nd big Peace Conference with the President at Quai d’Orsay at 3.00 P.M.
No ladies allowed much to the disappointment of Mrs. W.The President delivered a great speech in behalf of the League of Nations; seconded by Lloyd George and Signor Orlando. Conference adopted Wilson’s World League Principles. Controversy as small nations Demand Larger voice in world affairs by fuller committee representation. There were about 18 brief speeches made—by representatives from smaller powers—

Diary