Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Title
Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP15752
Date
1919 May 6
Description
Cary T. Grayson writes to Alice Gordon Grayson about conditions in Paris immediately preceding the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My precious darling,
The enclosed envelope is a sample the way the French handle the mail. I sent this letter to Captain Bourneville, who is less than one hundred miles from Paris, & he received it last week. It has the appearance going through many storms—mostly by hand. I spent this morning over at the Val de Grace hospital.
The Peace Treaty is being printed and is to be finished to-day and ready to hand over to the Germans to-morrow afternoon. Clemenceau was caught last night slipping in additional wording to the Treaty after it had been turned over to the printer—things favorable to France. When asked for an explanation—he replied that he was going to mention it to the Council to-day. He is a queer old fellow. The French don’t seem to realize what honor means. That is, those in political office. While Lloyd George is as slippery as an eel, I don’t think he would have done an act as like the one referred to last night. This is a queer lot over here—including all— English—Americans—and French and Italians.
Poincaré and Foch are in combination against Clemenceau. The latter has more brains than both of the others together and then a margin to spare. Ferdinand Foch">Foch is very shallow and simple—almost foolish—except along military lines. Poincaré is a joke, and a coward. He secretly ran away from Paris at one time during the war. The French try to conceal this cowardly fact now—but it is a real fact truth. Joffre seems popular; but the French officials laugh at the mention of him as a hero—a great general etc. While those that criticise Foch say the greatest thing he ever did was to sit and wait for the American soldiers to arrive. Paris is a nice little town for back biting. It is not confined to the French alone. There are some Americans here that are proficient in this line of work—I am sorry to relate. The “I DID IT” Club is very large verbally.
The Germans are here and appear to be very “cockey.” They sent word to-day, if the treaty was not ready—they would go home—back to Berlin—They were told that before making such a move, it would be wise for them to reflect over the consequences to them. Silence now reigns in their camp. The Treaty is to be delivered to them to-morrow afternoon.
The Italians telegraphed to-day to please post-pone delivering the Treaty for 24 hours, that they were on their way to Paris. That they were afraid their train would be late, but they will have to take their chances. They have acted in bad faith—and are using every endeavor to be invited to return. The fact the Conference proceeded on with business—not noticing their absence,—in the language of the street “got their goat.”
The Races have begun here & are in full sway but I have not been near them. Now, don’t you know that I am either a busy man or broke. Maybe both.
I forget to tell you that I cabled Willie Braisted to please withdraw my name for the distinguished service medal. I did not care to have it, or my name proposed for this medal in the circumstances. I expressed due appreciation to him for recommending me. I would much prefer not to have it. I think you will agree with me when I give you the full history of medals in this war and how they are given out—especially—by the cliques etc in the Army and Navy. While many of them are deserved and highly so—the excessive wearing of them is a farce in many, many instances. For instance, there are officers that were never in sight of fighting are wearing medals for gallanty in action—Grasty is still here, and is on the road of improvement but it is slow. He is enjoying his visit. Both the President & Miss E. are very kind to him.
Orlando turned up at the meetings of the big three to-day, walked in and sat down in his vacant chair as if nothing had happened—no one showed an evidence of his absence. All shook hands good morning and proceeded to regular business—with no reference to the past or the future, so far as Italy was concerned.
I had an invitation from Ambassador Davis in London asking me to come over to spend a few days vacation with them. Wish I could go. But I am more anxious to get back to you and the boys than anything else just now.
I had a good ride in the bois this morning with Mr. Morganthau and Mr. Buckler—half brother to Mr. Henry White. It was a beautiful morning—there were scores of horseback riders out—many smart turn outs both in horseflesh and clothes. I am glad that I have my best suit with me.
Thanks to Trudie.
Cary T. Grayson
The enclosed envelope is a sample the way the French handle the mail. I sent this letter to Captain Bourneville, who is less than one hundred miles from Paris, & he received it last week. It has the appearance going through many storms—mostly by hand. I spent this morning over at the Val de Grace hospital.
The Peace Treaty is being printed and is to be finished to-day and ready to hand over to the Germans to-morrow afternoon. Clemenceau was caught last night slipping in additional wording to the Treaty after it had been turned over to the printer—things favorable to France. When asked for an explanation—he replied that he was going to mention it to the Council to-day. He is a queer old fellow. The French don’t seem to realize what honor means. That is, those in political office. While Lloyd George is as slippery as an eel, I don’t think he would have done an act as like the one referred to last night. This is a queer lot over here—including all— English—Americans—and French and Italians.
Poincaré and Foch are in combination against Clemenceau. The latter has more brains than both of the others together and then a margin to spare. Ferdinand Foch">Foch is very shallow and simple—almost foolish—except along military lines. Poincaré is a joke, and a coward. He secretly ran away from Paris at one time during the war. The French try to conceal this cowardly fact now—but it is a real fact truth. Joffre seems popular; but the French officials laugh at the mention of him as a hero—a great general etc. While those that criticise Foch say the greatest thing he ever did was to sit and wait for the American soldiers to arrive. Paris is a nice little town for back biting. It is not confined to the French alone. There are some Americans here that are proficient in this line of work—I am sorry to relate. The “I DID IT” Club is very large verbally.
The Germans are here and appear to be very “cockey.” They sent word to-day, if the treaty was not ready—they would go home—back to Berlin—They were told that before making such a move, it would be wise for them to reflect over the consequences to them. Silence now reigns in their camp. The Treaty is to be delivered to them to-morrow afternoon.
The Italians telegraphed to-day to please post-pone delivering the Treaty for 24 hours, that they were on their way to Paris. That they were afraid their train would be late, but they will have to take their chances. They have acted in bad faith—and are using every endeavor to be invited to return. The fact the Conference proceeded on with business—not noticing their absence,—in the language of the street “got their goat.”
The Races have begun here & are in full sway but I have not been near them. Now, don’t you know that I am either a busy man or broke. Maybe both.
I forget to tell you that I cabled Willie Braisted to please withdraw my name for the distinguished service medal. I did not care to have it, or my name proposed for this medal in the circumstances. I expressed due appreciation to him for recommending me. I would much prefer not to have it. I think you will agree with me when I give you the full history of medals in this war and how they are given out—especially—by the cliques etc in the Army and Navy. While many of them are deserved and highly so—the excessive wearing of them is a farce in many, many instances. For instance, there are officers that were never in sight of fighting are wearing medals for gallanty in action—Grasty is still here, and is on the road of improvement but it is slow. He is enjoying his visit. Both the President & Miss E. are very kind to him.
Orlando turned up at the meetings of the big three to-day, walked in and sat down in his vacant chair as if nothing had happened—no one showed an evidence of his absence. All shook hands good morning and proceeded to regular business—with no reference to the past or the future, so far as Italy was concerned.
I had an invitation from Ambassador Davis in London asking me to come over to spend a few days vacation with them. Wish I could go. But I am more anxious to get back to you and the boys than anything else just now.
I had a good ride in the bois this morning with Mr. Morganthau and Mr. Buckler—half brother to Mr. Henry White. It was a beautiful morning—there were scores of horseback riders out—many smart turn outs both in horseflesh and clothes. I am glad that I have my best suit with me.
Thanks to Trudie.
Cary T. Grayson
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1919 May 6, WWP15752, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.