Cary T. Grayson Diary

Title

Cary T. Grayson Diary

Creator

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

Identifier

WWP17135

Date

1919 April 14

Source

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

Language

English

Text

The President had breakfast this morning at 8:30 o’clock, after which he immediately withdrew to his study to dispose of an accumulated correspondence. At 11:00 o’clock he conferred with Mr. Orlando and other members of the Italian delegation, which conference lasted until lunch time. Mrs. Wilson was indisposed, and the President had lunch with her in her bed-room.

At 2:00 o’clock the President received a telephone message saying that ex-President Taft and President Lowell of Harvard University were keenly disappointed in the language used in including the Monroe Doctrine in the League of Nations covenant.

A few minutes after two o’clock he received Frank H. Hitchcock, who was Postmaster General under President Taft and Manager of the first Taft campaign. When he greeted Mr. Hitchcock he said: “Mr. Hitchcock, I am glad to have this opportunity to shake your hand, and to thank you, as a patriotic American, for your cooperation in helping to secure support for the League of Nations not only here but at home, and particularly for the inclusion of the Monroe Doctrine.” Mr. Hitchcock replied: “It is very generous of you to receive me and speak in this manner. I deeply appreciate it. It is the first time I have had the pleasure of shaking hands with the President for a long time (not since President Taft left the White House six years ago), and, as an American, I want to say that we are very proud of your achievments for the world. I am glad to tell you that the cause which you have so earnestly advocated is one resting on high grounds. I regret that there was partisan opposition to your plans at home. It is a matter in which partisanship should not enter; it should be handled on higher grounds. I have little patience with those who are trying to make partisan capital out of it.” The President then said: “It will be of interest to you to know that I have just received word that ex-President Taft and Mr. Lowell object to the wording of the Monroe Doctrine clause in the League of Nations covenant.” Mr. Hitchcock said: “I do not see how they could object to it, and I do not believe that when they read the exact wording and study it they can object; I think that a big majority of the American people will back you up in the stand you have taken.” Mr. Hitchcock added: “I must not take any more of your valuable time. I do hope that your strength and health will hold out so that you may win out with this big undertaking handsomely, which I feel sure you will do. When I realize what a fine Doctor you have, I have entire confidence that your health will bear up under the strain.” The President said: “I agree to all that you say about the Doctor.” Mr. Hitchcock said: “I speak from experience because I had the opportunity to know him before you did.” The President was most generous in his remarks about me, which was distinctly embarrassing to me.

At 2:30 o’clock Secretary Lansing and ex-Ambassador White and General Bliss called for the purpose of conferring with the President.

At noon today I asked the President whether he expected to have the Big Four meeting this evening, and he said: “No. Clemenceau always goes to bed at about seven o’clock and gets up at three.” I asked the President whether he had noticed any difference in Clemenceau physically. He said that recently he had noticed a very marked difference; that his memory was much affected, and that when he wanted to discuss a question, he would say: “I cannot do that; I have to call for my experts.” This would refer to matters in connection with which it should not be necessary for him to call for outside assistance.

I was called upon today to investigate the circumstances under which H. B. Swope of the New York WORLD had obtained the exact text of the American Reparation Commissioners. Swope had telegraphed this text to London to the Freemen’s Journal, which was to relay it on to New York, but it was held up by the British censor and referred back to the President for investigation as to the manner in which Swope had obtained it. I took the matter up with Mr. Baruch as chief of the American experts. Incidentally, it developed as a bit of poetic justice that Swope in an effort to cover the manner in which he had obtained it had furnished it to Hills of the New York SUN, who had filed it by direct cable to New York, with the result that it was published in the SUN although it was never published in the WORLD.

The President had been urged to make a public statement dealing with the work of the Commission. Yesterday Clemenceau had talked freely to a committee of the radical French members of the Chamber on the entire subject of the work of the treaty and had told them that a satisfactory arrangement seemed in sight and that France’s claims would be honorably disposed of. The President was urged by me to prepare a statement for the press of the world, setting forth his position and to give it immediate publicity in order that it would be disposed of prior to Lloyd-George’s speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The President had a crowded day and it was not until late in the evening that he was able to prepare the statement. However, he did so, and its publication was received with much enthusiasm by the newspapermen, who wanted to be fair inasmuch as it showed that the danger of deadlock so far as the German situation was concerned apparently had been passed. The statement is as follows:

“In view of the fact that the questions which must be settled in the peace with Germany have been brought so near complete solution that they can now quickly be put through the final process of drafting, those who have been most constantly in conference about them have decided to advise that the German plenipotentiaries be invited to meet representatives of the associated belligerent nations on the 25th of April.

“This does not means that the many other questions connected with the general peace settlement will be interrupted or that their consideration which has long been under way will be retarded.“On the contrary, it is ecxpected that rapid progress will now be made with those questions, so that they may also presently be expected to be ready for final settlement.

“It is hoped that the questions most directly affecting Italy, especially the Adriatic question, can now be brought to speedy agreement. The Adriatic question will be given for the time precedence over other questions and pressed by continual study to its final state.

“The settlements that belong especially to the treaty with Germany will in this way be got out of the way at the same time that all other settlements are being brought to a complete formulation.

“It is realized that, though this process must be followed, all the questions of the present great settlement are parts of a single whole.”

Today I sent the following message to Admiral Braisted:

“It has come to my knowledge that you have recommended me for a Distinguished Service medal. If my information is correct, I hope you will withdraw your recommendation. Your action is a distinction and honor which I deeply appreciate, coming from you as Surgeon General of the Navy, and this is sufficient for me. Am sorry I am not at home to make this request in person.”

The President dined with Mrs. Wilson in her bed-room. The President worked in his study and retired early.

Original Format

Diary

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PCST19190414.pdf

Citation

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 April 14, WWP17135, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.