John E. Nevin to Cary T. Grayson
Title
John E. Nevin to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Nevin, John Edwin
Identifier
WWP15717
Date
1919 April 8
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Text
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
MY DEAR ADMIRAL
With your kind permission I would appreciate being allowed to submit to you the following memo concerning publicity under existing conditions in connection with the work of the United States delegates to the peace conference.
First, as a result of the various rumors dealing with an existing crisis in the affairs of the conference, the press comment in the United States--much of it inspired--is becoming increasingly hostile to President Wilson and his program.
Second, the reason for this is the complete lack of any authentic information showing what the President is doing that can be labeled as official.
Third, the French and certain portions of the British press, are carrying on an underhand campaign of villification directed against the President. This is being added to here in Paris by carefully manufactured slurs passed along by word of mouth. All this is being utilized by a certain coterie of correspondents here in Paris as the basis for their news despatches to the United States. The result carries great harm at home where this is not understood.
Fourth, absolutely all of the criticism leveled at the President is predicated upon the complete absence of anything official from President Wilson himself. No one can speak for him. No one should have that right. Other members of the Commission optomistically talk of “great progress has been made”, “there will be a treaty soon” and the like but these statements in no way square with the known facts.
Now, my Dear Admiral, the President is the only man to whom the American people look for guidance. The rank and file believe utterly in him. I feel convinced that at the present moment they are hopeful that he will explain the situation and let them know what is going on. Therefore may I be allowed to urge through you upon the President that absolutely no harm can come from real publicity at the present moment while there is grave danger if the facts are withheld. The inspired French and British press continue to accuse the President of causing the delay. They also intimate that very soon a statement will will be made through their officials that will show this to be so.
From an experience of 23 years in the newspaper business covering a good part of the United States I am convinced that were the President right now to take the people into his confidence the result would be very beneficial, not along alone at home but in the world at large. The opposition press at home prates of secret diplomacy. They are making this a strong point to arouse opposition. The President can demolish that point in half an hour.
May I be pardoned from thus butting in, still, were the President to talk to some selected correspondents, including those of the press associations, or to write a letter for publication giving as much publicity as possible to his position today, the result would be most beneficial. The people of the United States know that the President will stand by his principles to the end but today they would like him to so tell them again. This would end a campaign of lies that is becoming very dangerous
I remain sir, sincerely yours
John Edwin Nevin
MY DEAR ADMIRAL
With your kind permission I would appreciate being allowed to submit to you the following memo concerning publicity under existing conditions in connection with the work of the United States delegates to the peace conference.
First, as a result of the various rumors dealing with an existing crisis in the affairs of the conference, the press comment in the United States--much of it inspired--is becoming increasingly hostile to President Wilson and his program.
Second, the reason for this is the complete lack of any authentic information showing what the President is doing that can be labeled as official.
Third, the French and certain portions of the British press, are carrying on an underhand campaign of villification directed against the President. This is being added to here in Paris by carefully manufactured slurs passed along by word of mouth. All this is being utilized by a certain coterie of correspondents here in Paris as the basis for their news despatches to the United States. The result carries great harm at home where this is not understood.
Fourth, absolutely all of the criticism leveled at the President is predicated upon the complete absence of anything official from President Wilson himself. No one can speak for him. No one should have that right. Other members of the Commission optomistically talk of “great progress has been made”, “there will be a treaty soon” and the like but these statements in no way square with the known facts.
Now, my Dear Admiral, the President is the only man to whom the American people look for guidance. The rank and file believe utterly in him. I feel convinced that at the present moment they are hopeful that he will explain the situation and let them know what is going on. Therefore may I be allowed to urge through you upon the President that absolutely no harm can come from real publicity at the present moment while there is grave danger if the facts are withheld. The inspired French and British press continue to accuse the President of causing the delay. They also intimate that very soon a statement will will be made through their officials that will show this to be so.
From an experience of 23 years in the newspaper business covering a good part of the United States I am convinced that were the President right now to take the people into his confidence the result would be very beneficial, not along alone at home but in the world at large. The opposition press at home prates of secret diplomacy. They are making this a strong point to arouse opposition. The President can demolish that point in half an hour.
May I be pardoned from thus butting in, still, were the President to talk to some selected correspondents, including those of the press associations, or to write a letter for publication giving as much publicity as possible to his position today, the result would be most beneficial. The people of the United States know that the President will stand by his principles to the end but today they would like him to so tell them again. This would end a campaign of lies that is becoming very dangerous
I remain sir, sincerely yours
John Edwin Nevin
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Nevin, John Edwin, “John E. Nevin to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 April 8, WWP15717, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.