Breckinridge Long to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Breckinridge Long to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Long, Breckinridge, 1881-1958
Identifier
WWP16092
Date
1919 November 29
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Text
My dear Admiral Grayson
I think an address to the American people is a fine suggestion. I hope the President will be well enough and willing to compose one. It should be published, in my opinion, before the treaty is resubmitted to the Senate. It could be so phrased as to clear the air.
There has been, as I said this morning, too much discussion of and dwelling upon points of international law and constitutional law, too much legal construction, too many technical arguments, too many sophistries and inferential philosophies. The mind of the people is confused. They cannot understand. They have vague ideas about “American rights”, about the “Monroe Doctrine”, and about “Six votes to one”. These phrases mean nothing definite, and the people do not understand.
What is needed is something startling. Something to put the public’s mind back to fundamental thoughts. Something that will cause primary mental operations and reactions.
It is a condition which confronts us - and a serious one. The facts are few and simple;
A treaty has been negotiated;
The whole world is party to it;
Rejection by America, one of the essential parties, encourages Germany to attempt escape from the obligations imposed by it;
Her delegates have left Paris, on the eve of ratification by the three Allied Powers;
Her withdrawal may be temporary but it may be indicative of a mental attitude which, if continued in, will lead to defiance;
A break by Germany at this juncture will mean further disorganization and may mean renewed hostilities;
Serbia and Italy are on the verge of war;
The Bolsheviki are overcoming the forces opposing them in the Baltic States, in Siberia and in Southern Russia;
Poland is undergoing a violent change of Government, Paderewski is on the verge of resigning and anarchy may ensue;
Roumania is defiant toward the Allies;
Czecho-Slovakia is nearly bankrupt;
Continental Europe is without financial stability, with the exception of Belgium;
Exchange rates are so low that anxious purchasers cannot afford to buy. The German mark is worth two cents, the French franc is around nine and a half to the dollar, the British pound around 4.02. Trading at such figures is prohibitive - impossible;
If America can’t sell her goods stagnation will result here, factories will close, wages will drop, prices will rise, cold and hunger will prevail, and the prevailing unrest will grow to open disorder;
With bankruptcy, political instability and social unrest stalking through Europe we in America cannot expect any but abnormal conditions at home.
There is no remedy but pecace - certain and secure. No other way has been shown toward it save by the treaty. Adoption by America is the only course - and time now becomes of the essence.
Without the Treaty there is no central bureau, no central authority, no clearing house for the troubles of an afflicted world.
If America is not a party to the treaty Germany may not feel bound and may not be forced to comply for lack of authority.
Further than that rejection of the Treaty by the United States might throw all Latin America into the European system lining all nations who join the League of Nations in opposition to the Monroe Doctrine;Under these circumstances the Far East will develop into the chaotic condition which already threatens there.
It is time for the people to be apprised of the facts. Those who love our form of Government, who live and have their being under the orderly processes of law, who realize that economic and industrial activity are the necessary prerequisites to stability in our complicated modern-day life should realize the present state of the world, the elemental part America is to it and the impossibility to reestablish normal conditions here with the rest of the world in disturbance. I really think the above thoughts ought to have expression from some source of authority - from some official whose position and standing would entitle them to audience. I know of none other than the President.
I am so worried about the whole scheme of things, so anxious to take a part which circumstances do not warrant my taking, so desirous of helping in some way that I presume to inflict this on you, apologizing for its length, but feeling that my three weeks on the ocean, quiet and free, have cleared my mind of details and have permitted me to get clean fresh impressions and a general view point.
Very sincerely,
Breckinridge Long
I think an address to the American people is a fine suggestion. I hope the President will be well enough and willing to compose one. It should be published, in my opinion, before the treaty is resubmitted to the Senate. It could be so phrased as to clear the air.
There has been, as I said this morning, too much discussion of and dwelling upon points of international law and constitutional law, too much legal construction, too many technical arguments, too many sophistries and inferential philosophies. The mind of the people is confused. They cannot understand. They have vague ideas about “American rights”, about the “Monroe Doctrine”, and about “Six votes to one”. These phrases mean nothing definite, and the people do not understand.
What is needed is something startling. Something to put the public’s mind back to fundamental thoughts. Something that will cause primary mental operations and reactions.
It is a condition which confronts us - and a serious one. The facts are few and simple;
A treaty has been negotiated;
The whole world is party to it;
Rejection by America, one of the essential parties, encourages Germany to attempt escape from the obligations imposed by it;
Her delegates have left Paris, on the eve of ratification by the three Allied Powers;
Her withdrawal may be temporary but it may be indicative of a mental attitude which, if continued in, will lead to defiance;
A break by Germany at this juncture will mean further disorganization and may mean renewed hostilities;
Serbia and Italy are on the verge of war;
The Bolsheviki are overcoming the forces opposing them in the Baltic States, in Siberia and in Southern Russia;
Poland is undergoing a violent change of Government, Paderewski is on the verge of resigning and anarchy may ensue;
Roumania is defiant toward the Allies;
Czecho-Slovakia is nearly bankrupt;
Continental Europe is without financial stability, with the exception of Belgium;
Exchange rates are so low that anxious purchasers cannot afford to buy. The German mark is worth two cents, the French franc is around nine and a half to the dollar, the British pound around 4.02. Trading at such figures is prohibitive - impossible;
If America can’t sell her goods stagnation will result here, factories will close, wages will drop, prices will rise, cold and hunger will prevail, and the prevailing unrest will grow to open disorder;
With bankruptcy, political instability and social unrest stalking through Europe we in America cannot expect any but abnormal conditions at home.
There is no remedy but pecace - certain and secure. No other way has been shown toward it save by the treaty. Adoption by America is the only course - and time now becomes of the essence.
Without the Treaty there is no central bureau, no central authority, no clearing house for the troubles of an afflicted world.
If America is not a party to the treaty Germany may not feel bound and may not be forced to comply for lack of authority.
Further than that rejection of the Treaty by the United States might throw all Latin America into the European system lining all nations who join the League of Nations in opposition to the Monroe Doctrine;Under these circumstances the Far East will develop into the chaotic condition which already threatens there.
It is time for the people to be apprised of the facts. Those who love our form of Government, who live and have their being under the orderly processes of law, who realize that economic and industrial activity are the necessary prerequisites to stability in our complicated modern-day life should realize the present state of the world, the elemental part America is to it and the impossibility to reestablish normal conditions here with the rest of the world in disturbance. I really think the above thoughts ought to have expression from some source of authority - from some official whose position and standing would entitle them to audience. I know of none other than the President.
I am so worried about the whole scheme of things, so anxious to take a part which circumstances do not warrant my taking, so desirous of helping in some way that I presume to inflict this on you, apologizing for its length, but feeling that my three weeks on the ocean, quiet and free, have cleared my mind of details and have permitted me to get clean fresh impressions and a general view point.
Very sincerely,
Breckinridge Long
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Long, Breckinridge, 1881-1958, “Breckinridge Long to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 November 29, WWP16092, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.