Cary T. Grayson Diary

Cary T. Grayson Diary

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

WWP17208

1919 June 26

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

English

There was still no word from Germany regarding the make-up of the German Peace Plenipotentiaries when the Big Four conference began today. The President had arisen early and worked for a time in his study before his colleagues arrived. Shortly after they went into session Secretary-General Dutasta was communicated with and he was directed to proceed to Versailles at once and to request from Von Haniel a statement regarding the intentions of the German government. Meanwhile, notification had been sent to the Armies on the Rhine and to the various other forces that were to be invoked not to relax any of their preparations. The failure of Germany to name delegates had created a situation that was distinctly and decidedly a serious one. However, when Dutasta reached Versailles he was told by Von Haniel that he had been notified a delegation had been named, headed by Hermann Muller, the new Foreign Minister, and that they would come to Paris in time to sign the treaty on afternoon. The Council, as soon as this word was received, made arrangements to have the credentials of the German delegates brought from Versailles to the Foreign Office for examination early tomorrow morning in order that nothing might intervene to delay the signing. The Council also received a protest from the Danish Government against certain regulations concerning the plebescite that was to be planned in Schleswig.

There were no luncheon guests, and after lunch the President went for a long ride, I accompanying him. We rode around the outside of the Longchamp Racetrack, and as we were passing it I said to the President: “Don’t you think you are too good a Presbyterian to start on a voyage by sailing from Brest on Sunday. Don’t you think you ought to wait and begin the trip on Monday?” The President looked at me and quizzically smiling said: “Don’t you mean that the Grand Prix is to be run on Sunday and that you want to see it? I am not as green as I look.” The President was really amused by my naive suggestion.

We returned to the house in time for the meeting of the Council of Four, which had before it Paderewski. The Polish Premier again repeated his request for “protection” for Poland. He declared that the Germans in Upper Silesia were doing everything they could to goad the Poles into taking military measures in order that they could retaliate, and then throw the blame upon the Poles. The Council decided to refer all of Paderewski’s statements and his appeal to the Supreme Military Council and ask that body for a recommendation.

Because of the fact that the signing had been deferred until Saturay, the President found himself in the position where he had to accept the invitation to attend the state banquet which had been arranged by President Poincare. The banquet was intended to celebrate the conclusion of the first part of the work of the Peace Conference, and it was served in the long state apartment which had been added to the Elysees Palace in the time of President Carnot. The state dinner service of Sevres porcelain was used, some of the pieces of which are declared to be absolutely priceless. President Wilson sat on the right of President Poincare, with Mrs. Wilson on his left. Madame Poincare say on the right of the President, with Mr. Lloyd George next to her. All of the plenipotentaries to the Peace Conference who were in Paris had been invited to the banquet, as well as the Ministers and the principal official personages of France. There were 300 guests present. President Poincare proposed a toast to the President, and the President replied extemporaneously. (SEE SPEECH).

Diary