Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17118
Date
1919 March 28
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The Council of Four, including the President, held two meetings again today, the morning conference, as usual, being held in the temporary White House, and the afternoon conference at the French War Ministry. In addition, a new organization was created, which was named the Council of Foreign Ministers, to which the Foreign Ministers of the four great powers were invited. They met with Pichon at the Quai d’Orsay and discussed the raising of the Austrian blockade and the revictualing of that country. They also discussed the German Schleswig frontier. Their function was not made very clear, but as a matter of fact they were simply expected to prepare data that could be passed on by the President and his colleagues when the time came. The situation in Hungary had made it necessary that something be done in order to combat the spread of Bolshevism there, and arrangements were made whereby foodstuffs would be diverted and sent directly into Austria to relieve distress there.
Clemenceau continued his excessive territorial demands, again urging that the Saar Basin should be turned over to France. The President asked him by what process of reasoning he arrived at this conclusion, inasmuch as the territory was essentially German. Clemenceau, however, insisted that a good many years ago this territory had belonged to France, and that it simply would be turning it back in a proper way. Here Orlando interjected that it would be rather unfair to go back too many hundred years on a proposal of this kind, as it might embarrass his colleague, Lloyd-George, inasmuch as there was a time when England was a part of the Roman Empire. This amused the President very much and he laughed heartily, but Clemenceau failed to see any humor whatever in the statement.
Lloyd-George was late in arriving at the afternoon conference. On his arrival he address the President saying: “I apologize for being late.” The President smilingly said: “I would hate to have to use the term the late Mr. Lloyd-George.” The sally amused the pair of them very much.
The President was looking at map of Europe, which was hanging on the wall of his study, at the time Lloyd-George entered the room. Lloyd-George said: “I see you are studying your geography.” The President said: “Yes, and I can’t help but recall the feeling I had when as a boy I was studying geography. This seems as puzzling as it did when as a boy I studied all of the unknown country west of the Mississippi. The contrast is very striking to my mind. And in following out these maps it vividly recalls the study of geography in my boyhood days.”
In the afternoon the Supreme War Council discussed the Polish situation again, without reaching a definite decision.
After dinner the President said: “I could not resist the opportunity to tell M. Tardieu just what I thought of him. It had come to my knowledge that he had been in communication with the leading Republicans in the United States in connection with the Peace Treaty, and also was confiding to them a great many of the difficult and complexing points that had arisen. I said to him with a smile on my face: “M. Tardieu, I want to say to you that you are not helping France by communicating secrets to the leaders of the Republican party in America. You must remember that they are Nationalists and are selfish, and at this crucial time in the world’s history sacrifices have to be made by all for the good of the peace of the world, and they (the Republicans) will not make any sacrifices for France. They will confine their interests solely to America. This is a time when everybody must give and take, not consider individual selves or individual countries. All should pull together for the good of the world and of mankind. Tardieu seemed extremely embarrassed and replied by saying that he was with the President, and in order to substantiate his position he said that he himself had written the speech delivered by M. de Billy, of the French High Commission, at Philadelphia, which had been commented upon so favorably by the American press two days ago.
The President was completely fagged out this evening, after the last three days’ continuous conferences. After dinner I amused him by repeating some of the stories told by the late Senator Ollie James of Kentucky. What seemed to amuse the President most was a speech which Ollie James made to me telling me that it was impossible for him to go to a horse-race the following day, much as he would like to go, because a friend had told him that if he were there he would give him a long-shot but could not do so until just before the horses went to the post. The Senator had said that he could not go because a bill would be up for final decision that would tax hundreds of children yet unborn. The Senator grew so eloquent in arguing in favor of his going that he converted himself. After telling the President a few other stories, he seemed greatly refreshed. He said to me: “These stories have had a real tonic effect upon me. My head feels rested. I appreciate Ollie James’ arguments, because I have tried to write things and could not convince myself.”
Clemenceau continued his excessive territorial demands, again urging that the Saar Basin should be turned over to France. The President asked him by what process of reasoning he arrived at this conclusion, inasmuch as the territory was essentially German. Clemenceau, however, insisted that a good many years ago this territory had belonged to France, and that it simply would be turning it back in a proper way. Here Orlando interjected that it would be rather unfair to go back too many hundred years on a proposal of this kind, as it might embarrass his colleague, Lloyd-George, inasmuch as there was a time when England was a part of the Roman Empire. This amused the President very much and he laughed heartily, but Clemenceau failed to see any humor whatever in the statement.
Lloyd-George was late in arriving at the afternoon conference. On his arrival he address the President saying: “I apologize for being late.” The President smilingly said: “I would hate to have to use the term the late Mr. Lloyd-George.” The sally amused the pair of them very much.
The President was looking at map of Europe, which was hanging on the wall of his study, at the time Lloyd-George entered the room. Lloyd-George said: “I see you are studying your geography.” The President said: “Yes, and I can’t help but recall the feeling I had when as a boy I was studying geography. This seems as puzzling as it did when as a boy I studied all of the unknown country west of the Mississippi. The contrast is very striking to my mind. And in following out these maps it vividly recalls the study of geography in my boyhood days.”
In the afternoon the Supreme War Council discussed the Polish situation again, without reaching a definite decision.
After dinner the President said: “I could not resist the opportunity to tell M. Tardieu just what I thought of him. It had come to my knowledge that he had been in communication with the leading Republicans in the United States in connection with the Peace Treaty, and also was confiding to them a great many of the difficult and complexing points that had arisen. I said to him with a smile on my face: “M. Tardieu, I want to say to you that you are not helping France by communicating secrets to the leaders of the Republican party in America. You must remember that they are Nationalists and are selfish, and at this crucial time in the world’s history sacrifices have to be made by all for the good of the peace of the world, and they (the Republicans) will not make any sacrifices for France. They will confine their interests solely to America. This is a time when everybody must give and take, not consider individual selves or individual countries. All should pull together for the good of the world and of mankind. Tardieu seemed extremely embarrassed and replied by saying that he was with the President, and in order to substantiate his position he said that he himself had written the speech delivered by M. de Billy, of the French High Commission, at Philadelphia, which had been commented upon so favorably by the American press two days ago.
The President was completely fagged out this evening, after the last three days’ continuous conferences. After dinner I amused him by repeating some of the stories told by the late Senator Ollie James of Kentucky. What seemed to amuse the President most was a speech which Ollie James made to me telling me that it was impossible for him to go to a horse-race the following day, much as he would like to go, because a friend had told him that if he were there he would give him a long-shot but could not do so until just before the horses went to the post. The Senator had said that he could not go because a bill would be up for final decision that would tax hundreds of children yet unborn. The Senator grew so eloquent in arguing in favor of his going that he converted himself. After telling the President a few other stories, he seemed greatly refreshed. He said to me: “These stories have had a real tonic effect upon me. My head feels rested. I appreciate Ollie James’ arguments, because I have tried to write things and could not convince myself.”
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 March 28, WWP17118, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.