Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17179
Date
1919 May 28
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President arose at his usual hour and after breakfast went for a motor ride prior to the meeting of the Big Four. At this meeting general questions affecting the Austrian Treaty and also the Adriatic problems were taken up. Baron Sonnino came to the meeting of the Big Four with Premier Orlando, and he endeavored again to secure consideration by the President of the proposal whereby Fiume would be turned over to the Italian government. The President simpkly declined to consider the matter in any of its aspects, stating emphatically that inasmuch as he considered the Treaty of London a secret program fraught with evil there was no use of trying to work out a solution that would perpetuate the injustice of that document. The entire morning session was devoted to wrangling over the London Treaty.
Orlando, after Sonnino left, stated that he was wiling to give Dalmatia to the Jugo-Slavs but he wanted to retain the districts of Zara and Sebenico. Clemenceau at the conference told Orlando and Sonnino that it would be absolutely necessary that the United States participate in any settlement which was eventually agreed upon, and that France and Great Britain, while perfectly willing to carry out the provisions of the Treaty of London, realized the very grave nature of putting through such a problem without the sanction of the United States. As a result of this conference, Orlando later in the day again began direct negotiations with the leaders of the Jugo-Slavs.
The President and I lunched with Mrs. Wilson in her bedroom.
At the afternoon session of the Big Four notification was received that the German counter-proposal had been wirelessed broadcast but directed to Washington during the night. This was simply another evidence on the part of the present German government that it had not “learned by experience”, as its action in sending out its counter-proposals before they were officially delivered was in utter disregard of all principles of international ethics, and emphasized the boorishness of Erzberger and the men who dominated him, including Count Von Bernstorff, the former Ambassador to the United States. Germany’s official reply was a complete effort on her part to evade responsibility for the war; she demanded immediate admission to the League of Nations which had been denied her in the original peace treaty; asked that she be given a mandate over her former colonies, title to which already has passed from her; refused to consent to the trial of the Kaiser or of any of the officers responsible for the inhuman disregard of law during the progress of the war, saying that if they were to be tried they should be tried in the German courts; and declaring that she was willing to make a total indemnity payment of not to exceed $25,000,000,000.
Following the meeting of the Big Four, the President went for a motor ride through the gardens of St. Cloud, and on his return he had dinner with Mrs. Wilson in her apartment. After working for a time in his study, the President retired.
Orlando, after Sonnino left, stated that he was wiling to give Dalmatia to the Jugo-Slavs but he wanted to retain the districts of Zara and Sebenico. Clemenceau at the conference told Orlando and Sonnino that it would be absolutely necessary that the United States participate in any settlement which was eventually agreed upon, and that France and Great Britain, while perfectly willing to carry out the provisions of the Treaty of London, realized the very grave nature of putting through such a problem without the sanction of the United States. As a result of this conference, Orlando later in the day again began direct negotiations with the leaders of the Jugo-Slavs.
The President and I lunched with Mrs. Wilson in her bedroom.
At the afternoon session of the Big Four notification was received that the German counter-proposal had been wirelessed broadcast but directed to Washington during the night. This was simply another evidence on the part of the present German government that it had not “learned by experience”, as its action in sending out its counter-proposals before they were officially delivered was in utter disregard of all principles of international ethics, and emphasized the boorishness of Erzberger and the men who dominated him, including Count Von Bernstorff, the former Ambassador to the United States. Germany’s official reply was a complete effort on her part to evade responsibility for the war; she demanded immediate admission to the League of Nations which had been denied her in the original peace treaty; asked that she be given a mandate over her former colonies, title to which already has passed from her; refused to consent to the trial of the Kaiser or of any of the officers responsible for the inhuman disregard of law during the progress of the war, saying that if they were to be tried they should be tried in the German courts; and declaring that she was willing to make a total indemnity payment of not to exceed $25,000,000,000.
Following the meeting of the Big Four, the President went for a motor ride through the gardens of St. Cloud, and on his return he had dinner with Mrs. Wilson in her apartment. After working for a time in his study, the President retired.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 May 28, WWP17179, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.