Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17141
Date
1919 April 20
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President rose early. Even though it was Easter Sunday, he felt that it was his duty to hold a meeting today as the people were so anxious for a decision, and he therefore decided to devote Sunday to this cause.
At 10:00 o’clock Lloyd-George, Clemenceau, Orlando and Sonnino arrived at the temporary White House and were shown immediately to the President’s study. The Italian question - Fiume - was the subject of discussion. Orlando made his argument why the Italians should have Fiume, and the President explained why he could not agree to that disposition, as it was in conflict with the principles laid down in his Fourteen Points. At the conclusion of the President’s remarks Orlando got up out of his chair, walked over to the window, and sobbed and wept. The President personally is very fond of Orlando and has great respect for his integrity and character, and naturally this incident was very distressing. Sonnino then stated that he was the one who had brought Italy into the war on the side of the Allies - and this is generally conceded to be the fact. He recalled what the Austrians had promised Italy if she (Italy) entered the war on the side of the Central Powers, and under the position of the PresidentItaly was not going getting much more than if she had remained neutral, and yet she had lost nearly a half a million men. He then referred to the line of agreement fixed by the Pact of London. The meeting adjourned at about 12:00 o’clock.
It was a beautiful, sunshiny day, and I persuaded the President to take a walk. He and I went for a stroll. We walked down to the Trocadero, and looked around at the statues of French Kings and other relics of the days of royalty.
On returning to the house the President had lunch with Mrs. Wilson. I had lunch with Mr. Bernard M. Baruch at his chateau near St. Cloud. The President and Mrs. Wilson went for a motor ride in the afternoon. The President returned in time for a conference with Clemenceau at 6:00 o’clock. The conference lasted an hour, and at its conclusion the President and Mrs. Wilson and Miss Benham and I had dinner. I remained with the President and Mrs. Wilson after dinner until about 10:00 o’clock, when the President retired. The President always reads the bible before retiring.
As Clemenceau was leaving this afternoon I inquired how his health holding out. He said: “Very good. You know, I go home at seven o’clock, eat a little milk and bread, and then go to bed. I wake up between one and three, and I then prop myself up in bed and read until seven. Then I get up for my breakfast and go out and walk around in my garden. I also go through morning exercises, deep breathing, etc. In this way I keep from getting old.” With a twinkle in his eye, he added: “You know, we doctors can’t afford to get old.”
At 10:00 o’clock Lloyd-George, Clemenceau, Orlando and Sonnino arrived at the temporary White House and were shown immediately to the President’s study. The Italian question - Fiume - was the subject of discussion. Orlando made his argument why the Italians should have Fiume, and the President explained why he could not agree to that disposition, as it was in conflict with the principles laid down in his Fourteen Points. At the conclusion of the President’s remarks Orlando got up out of his chair, walked over to the window, and sobbed and wept. The President personally is very fond of Orlando and has great respect for his integrity and character, and naturally this incident was very distressing. Sonnino then stated that he was the one who had brought Italy into the war on the side of the Allies - and this is generally conceded to be the fact. He recalled what the Austrians had promised Italy if she (Italy) entered the war on the side of the Central Powers, and under the position of the PresidentItaly was not going getting much more than if she had remained neutral, and yet she had lost nearly a half a million men. He then referred to the line of agreement fixed by the Pact of London. The meeting adjourned at about 12:00 o’clock.
It was a beautiful, sunshiny day, and I persuaded the President to take a walk. He and I went for a stroll. We walked down to the Trocadero, and looked around at the statues of French Kings and other relics of the days of royalty.
On returning to the house the President had lunch with Mrs. Wilson. I had lunch with Mr. Bernard M. Baruch at his chateau near St. Cloud. The President and Mrs. Wilson went for a motor ride in the afternoon. The President returned in time for a conference with Clemenceau at 6:00 o’clock. The conference lasted an hour, and at its conclusion the President and Mrs. Wilson and Miss Benham and I had dinner. I remained with the President and Mrs. Wilson after dinner until about 10:00 o’clock, when the President retired. The President always reads the bible before retiring.
As Clemenceau was leaving this afternoon I inquired how his health holding out. He said: “Very good. You know, I go home at seven o’clock, eat a little milk and bread, and then go to bed. I wake up between one and three, and I then prop myself up in bed and read until seven. Then I get up for my breakfast and go out and walk around in my garden. I also go through morning exercises, deep breathing, etc. In this way I keep from getting old.” With a twinkle in his eye, he added: “You know, we doctors can’t afford to get old.”
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 April 20, WWP17141, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.