Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17216
Date
1919 July 4
Description
An entry in Cary T. Grayson's diary from the Paris Peace Conference, dated 4 July 1919.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President worked on his message after he rose today and completed his draft document. There were special games on the ship, and on the program was an address by the President after luncheon.
The luncheon guests were Norman Davis and Dr. Taussig of the Tariff Commission. The President told a number of stories, and they discussed at length socialism. The conversation was varied and pleasant.
It had originally been arranged that the President should make an address from the after part of B Deck to the soldiers and members of the crew. The arrangement included the riggin up of a wireless telephone, which was to have taken in the escorting destroyers and the Battleship Oklahoma. However, when the alignment was made up the wires were carried through as far as the main switchboard, and it was stated that the President would be able to talk to Washingtonview via New Brunswick. However, the President’s intention was to talk to the soldiers and the sailors, and he felt very little concerned for the audience that had been embarrassed at Washington. The result was that he notified me at luncheon that he did not intend to make any address into any megaphone, but that he intended going out on the after hatch on C Deck and talk directly to the soldiers and members of the crew who would be assembled there. This program was carried out in full. His address was devoted to an explanation of what in his viewpoint the “new independence” which the war had forced upon the United States really meant. (SEE SPEECH).
After returning to his state-room the President rested for a short time, and I then called his attention to the fact that in his address he had referred exclusively to the Army. He made no comment on this fact but stated that he would accompany Ambassador Jusserand to the theatre on D Deck, where the French diplomat was to talk to members of the crew of the George Washington. When the President started down he said that he had no intention of making any speech, but after he got there the inspiration seized him and he paid a wonderful tribute to the work of the Navy in ferrying the American Army across to France and making it possible for them to be there in sufficient numbers to swing the tide of battle and really to “win the war.”
After dinner, at which there were no guests, the President and Mrs. Wilson attended the movies.
The luncheon guests were Norman Davis and Dr. Taussig of the Tariff Commission. The President told a number of stories, and they discussed at length socialism. The conversation was varied and pleasant.
It had originally been arranged that the President should make an address from the after part of B Deck to the soldiers and members of the crew. The arrangement included the riggin up of a wireless telephone, which was to have taken in the escorting destroyers and the Battleship Oklahoma. However, when the alignment was made up the wires were carried through as far as the main switchboard, and it was stated that the President would be able to talk to Washingtonview via New Brunswick. However, the President’s intention was to talk to the soldiers and the sailors, and he felt very little concerned for the audience that had been embarrassed at Washington. The result was that he notified me at luncheon that he did not intend to make any address into any megaphone, but that he intended going out on the after hatch on C Deck and talk directly to the soldiers and members of the crew who would be assembled there. This program was carried out in full. His address was devoted to an explanation of what in his viewpoint the “new independence” which the war had forced upon the United States really meant. (SEE SPEECH).
After returning to his state-room the President rested for a short time, and I then called his attention to the fact that in his address he had referred exclusively to the Army. He made no comment on this fact but stated that he would accompany Ambassador Jusserand to the theatre on D Deck, where the French diplomat was to talk to members of the crew of the George Washington. When the President started down he said that he had no intention of making any speech, but after he got there the inspiration seized him and he paid a wonderful tribute to the work of the Navy in ferrying the American Army across to France and making it possible for them to be there in sufficient numbers to swing the tide of battle and really to “win the war.”
After dinner, at which there were no guests, the President and Mrs. Wilson attended the movies.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 July 4, WWP17216, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.