Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17112
Date
1919 March 22
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President worked on his correspondence this morning proceeding to the Quai d’Orsay shortly before 11:00 o’clock, accompanied by Mrs. Wilson and myself. As a result of his timely warnings to his colleagues the day before, the Polish question was speeded up and material progress made. It was decided, however, that the general boundary question would be deferred until a complete report dealing with all of the Polish Republic boundaries had been disposed of. As a matter of fact, a great deal of the trouble in the Supreme War Council over Poland has been because of a desire on the part of the French and of the military officials to save General Foch’s pride. The General took a determined stand regarding the sending of the Polish Legion to Poland, vetoing the proposition. Later it appeared that this was an erroneous position and the result has been serious trouble and much talk. This talk has interfered very greatly with the progress toward peace, and it also has resulted in wide-spread criticism of dilatory tactics which has been distinctly unfair so far as President Wilson was concerned.
The President went home for lunch, returning to the Hotel Crillon at 3:30 o’clock, where the full committee on the League of Nations constitution met with him. He presided over the session and all of the amendments that had been suggested to the constitution, including those which were fathered by the neutrals, were taken up. There were 37 amendments under consideration, and every one of them was considered pertinent. There was a desire to amend each of the 26 articles, but it was generally agreed that only such amendments as carried changes of a desired character would be voted on. The big question was securing clearer interpretation of certain clauses of the covenant. Two very important amendments were tabled. The first was the French proposal, fathered by M. Leon Bourgeois, whihch provided there should be in the covenant the creation of an inter-allied staff whose duty it would be to study mobilization and strategical plans for carrying out with speed and effect any military action which might be considered necessary in the future by the League of Nations to coerce other members or frustrate sudden aggression. The Japanese proposal was designed to declare in the preamble of the constitution that there should be no interference with equality so far as the various nations concerned were affected. The Japanese proposal had been made in several different forms, and finally their representatives declared they would be satisfied to have it made plain that it in no way was designed to enable Japanese immigrants to proceed indiscriminately to any other country without regard to existing laws and covenants. This apparent concession was made by the Japanese because of their knowledge that the Pacific Coast States were unalterably opposed to any proposition which would seem to permit Asiatic immigration into the United States. It was claimed that the amendment as finally framed would meet that situation. However, it was not necessary for the United States to take a stand in this connection because the British Government, backing the opposition of Australia and New Zealand, declared they could not accept any such plan, and the Japanese allowed the tabling of the proposed amendment, reserving their right to renew the suggestion after the League of Nations was formed if not at the Plenary Session, which would be called to ratify the constitution.
The President remained with the committee until after seven o’clock, when he returned to the temporary White House very much fatigued with the arduous labors of the day. It had been a very hard task and he was very, very tired. After talking with Mrs. Wilson and myself until nearly ten o’clock, the President played Canfield for a little while to get the larger problems of state out of his mind before retiring.
From the time dinner was finished for an hour and twenty minutes, the President sat quietly saying nothing. At last he took out his watch and said: “For an hour and twenty minutes now I have said nothing at all about the meeting. It is hard to keep one’s temper when the world is on fire and we find delegates, such as those of the French, blocking all of the proceedings in a most stubborn manner simply by talking and without producing a single constructive idea designed to help remedy the serious situation existing. The President delegates seem absolutely impossible. This is especially marked in the League of Nations deliberations. Bourgeois apparently has no thought further than to aid Clemenceau and his followers in building up a League against Germany. They seem to have not the slightest idea of the value or the preciousness of time at this very moment. They talk and talk and talk and desire constantly to reiterate points that have been already thoroughly thrashed out and completely disposed of. This entire afternoon has been about wasted because of the stupidity of the French delegates. It is bad enough to waste time just talking but these men give us no constructive suggestions whatever. They simply talk.”
The President went home for lunch, returning to the Hotel Crillon at 3:30 o’clock, where the full committee on the League of Nations constitution met with him. He presided over the session and all of the amendments that had been suggested to the constitution, including those which were fathered by the neutrals, were taken up. There were 37 amendments under consideration, and every one of them was considered pertinent. There was a desire to amend each of the 26 articles, but it was generally agreed that only such amendments as carried changes of a desired character would be voted on. The big question was securing clearer interpretation of certain clauses of the covenant. Two very important amendments were tabled. The first was the French proposal, fathered by M. Leon Bourgeois, whihch provided there should be in the covenant the creation of an inter-allied staff whose duty it would be to study mobilization and strategical plans for carrying out with speed and effect any military action which might be considered necessary in the future by the League of Nations to coerce other members or frustrate sudden aggression. The Japanese proposal was designed to declare in the preamble of the constitution that there should be no interference with equality so far as the various nations concerned were affected. The Japanese proposal had been made in several different forms, and finally their representatives declared they would be satisfied to have it made plain that it in no way was designed to enable Japanese immigrants to proceed indiscriminately to any other country without regard to existing laws and covenants. This apparent concession was made by the Japanese because of their knowledge that the Pacific Coast States were unalterably opposed to any proposition which would seem to permit Asiatic immigration into the United States. It was claimed that the amendment as finally framed would meet that situation. However, it was not necessary for the United States to take a stand in this connection because the British Government, backing the opposition of Australia and New Zealand, declared they could not accept any such plan, and the Japanese allowed the tabling of the proposed amendment, reserving their right to renew the suggestion after the League of Nations was formed if not at the Plenary Session, which would be called to ratify the constitution.
The President remained with the committee until after seven o’clock, when he returned to the temporary White House very much fatigued with the arduous labors of the day. It had been a very hard task and he was very, very tired. After talking with Mrs. Wilson and myself until nearly ten o’clock, the President played Canfield for a little while to get the larger problems of state out of his mind before retiring.
From the time dinner was finished for an hour and twenty minutes, the President sat quietly saying nothing. At last he took out his watch and said: “For an hour and twenty minutes now I have said nothing at all about the meeting. It is hard to keep one’s temper when the world is on fire and we find delegates, such as those of the French, blocking all of the proceedings in a most stubborn manner simply by talking and without producing a single constructive idea designed to help remedy the serious situation existing. The President delegates seem absolutely impossible. This is especially marked in the League of Nations deliberations. Bourgeois apparently has no thought further than to aid Clemenceau and his followers in building up a League against Germany. They seem to have not the slightest idea of the value or the preciousness of time at this very moment. They talk and talk and talk and desire constantly to reiterate points that have been already thoroughly thrashed out and completely disposed of. This entire afternoon has been about wasted because of the stupidity of the French delegates. It is bad enough to waste time just talking but these men give us no constructive suggestions whatever. They simply talk.”
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 March 22, WWP17112, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.