Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17154
Date
1919 May 3
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President arose early and after breakfast went to his study where he disposed of matters requiring his attention. At 11:00 o’clock the Big Three met. Lloyd-George and Clemenceau talked a great deal concerning the matter of bringing about a reconciliation with Italy but offered no solution. They seemed to want to put the whole thing up to the President but presented no definite program for his guidance. It is common comment that they are trying to get Italy back into the Conference, and they are giving the impression on the outside that the President is to blame. However, when it comes to a show-down with him they offer no solution for the proposition. It is again very apparent how tricky and what politicians both of them are to the outside world. When it comes down to practical work on the inside they are quite meek and pretend to the President they are siding with him.
The President, Mrs. Wilson and I had lunch at one o’clock. Just before dinner the President conferred with Count Celleri, the Italian Ambassador to the United States. He came and made a long plea for Italy, urging that she be allowed to come back into the Conference. The President assured him that no one would welcome her back more than he would but that he had to adhere to his stand concerning Fiume. The Italian Ambassador did most of the talking and offered no solution. The President told him that there was no use in debating any further; that they (Italy) knew the terms, and that when they would accept them, they would be welcomed back. He hoped with all his heart that they would come back but that he must be frank with them and tell them that he must adhere to his principles.
I have never seen the President more fatigued than he was at dinner time this evening. He could not have had a harder or more difficult and fatiguing day. Count Celleri came with a statement which he could have made in about three minutes, but he remained for over and hour - all of which was most tiresome to the President. It was 7:45 when the President went to his usual seven o’clock dinner. He was 45 minutes late.
Ray Stannard Baker was here to get the news of the day. When I went in to see the President to announce Baker, he said: “Well, I am just so tired that I do not feel I could recall what has happened throughout the day. You know briefly what occurred. Won’t you go out and explain the situation to Baker? Tell him how I feel and express my apology for not seeing him.”
After dinner I spent an hour with the President and Mrs. Wilson. It was most refreshing to see how Mrs. Wilson entertained the President with light enjoyable conversation, detaching his mind from the heavy responsibilities to which he had been subjected during the day. Her attentions and affection for the President are truly touching and beautiful. No one but a member of the household could appreciate what a genuine and true helpmate she is to the the President.
Before saying good-night to the President I begged him, owing to his fatigue, not to go to church tomorrow. This was not only because he greatly needed Sunday morning’s rest in bed, but it was very damp and I was afraid that the church might not be heated. Moreover, with many persons present with colds and coughing, the President in his run-down condition would be taking chances of catching cold. I said: “Really too much is dependent on you now to take this chance.” He looked up with a twinkle in his eye and said: “I am a Presbyterian, but I will have to agree with my physician.”
The President, Mrs. Wilson and I had lunch at one o’clock. Just before dinner the President conferred with Count Celleri, the Italian Ambassador to the United States. He came and made a long plea for Italy, urging that she be allowed to come back into the Conference. The President assured him that no one would welcome her back more than he would but that he had to adhere to his stand concerning Fiume. The Italian Ambassador did most of the talking and offered no solution. The President told him that there was no use in debating any further; that they (Italy) knew the terms, and that when they would accept them, they would be welcomed back. He hoped with all his heart that they would come back but that he must be frank with them and tell them that he must adhere to his principles.
I have never seen the President more fatigued than he was at dinner time this evening. He could not have had a harder or more difficult and fatiguing day. Count Celleri came with a statement which he could have made in about three minutes, but he remained for over and hour - all of which was most tiresome to the President. It was 7:45 when the President went to his usual seven o’clock dinner. He was 45 minutes late.
Ray Stannard Baker was here to get the news of the day. When I went in to see the President to announce Baker, he said: “Well, I am just so tired that I do not feel I could recall what has happened throughout the day. You know briefly what occurred. Won’t you go out and explain the situation to Baker? Tell him how I feel and express my apology for not seeing him.”
After dinner I spent an hour with the President and Mrs. Wilson. It was most refreshing to see how Mrs. Wilson entertained the President with light enjoyable conversation, detaching his mind from the heavy responsibilities to which he had been subjected during the day. Her attentions and affection for the President are truly touching and beautiful. No one but a member of the household could appreciate what a genuine and true helpmate she is to the the President.
Before saying good-night to the President I begged him, owing to his fatigue, not to go to church tomorrow. This was not only because he greatly needed Sunday morning’s rest in bed, but it was very damp and I was afraid that the church might not be heated. Moreover, with many persons present with colds and coughing, the President in his run-down condition would be taking chances of catching cold. I said: “Really too much is dependent on you now to take this chance.” He looked up with a twinkle in his eye and said: “I am a Presbyterian, but I will have to agree with my physician.”
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 May 3, WWP17154, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.