Woodrow Wilson as I Know Him Part 46

Received at White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, April 6, 1919.

TUMULTY, Was.h.i.+ngton.

The President says the situation here is extremely complex and intricate, but seems to be improving and he expects to have it in hand this week, but if necessary will act according to your suggestions. The President is confined to bed but steadily improving. Thanks for your telegram.

Grayson.

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, April 8, 1919.

TUMULTY, Was.h.i.+ngton.

President attended conference in his study this afternoon. Situation shows some improvement. President has ordered _George Was.h.i.+ngton_ to proceed here immediately.

GRAYSON.

_Cablegram_

The White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, April 9,1919.

GRAYSON, Care President Wilson, Paris.

The ordering of the _George Was.h.i.+ngton_ to return to France looked upon here as an act of impatience and petulance on the President's part and not accepted here in good grace by either friends or foes. It is considered as an evidence that the President intends to leave the Conference if his views are not accepted. I think this method of withdrawal most unwise and fraught with the most dangerous possibilities here and abroad, because it puts upon the President the responsibility of withdrawing when the President should by his own act place the responsibility for a break of the Conference where it properly belongs. The President should not put himself in the position of being the first to withdraw if his 14 points are not accepted. Either he should put himself in the position of being the one who remained at the Conference until the very last, demanding the acceptance of his 14 principles. Nothing should be said about his leaving France, but he ought when the time and occasion arrive to re-state his views in terms of the deepest solemnity and yet without any ultimatum attached and then await a response from his a.s.sociates. In other words, let him by his acts and words place his a.s.sociates in the position of those who refuse to continue the Conference because of their unwillingness to live up to the terms of the Armistice. Then the President can return to this country and justify his withdrawal. He cannot justify his withdrawal any other way. Up to this time the world has been living on stories coming out of Paris that there was to be an agreement on the League of Nations.

Suddenly out of a clear sky comes an order for the _George Was.h.i.+ngton_ and unofficial statements of the President's withdrawal. A withdrawal at this time would be a desertion.

TUMULTY.

_Cablegram_

The White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, 9 April, 1919.

PRESIDENT WILSON, Paris.

A great number of your friends here fear that the interposition of United States in matter of indemnity and reparation which is a paramount question with European nations and only of indirect interest to us will solidify the opposition of England, France, Italy, and Belgium to a league of nations. Our friends believe that any necessary sacrifices to a.s.sure a league of nations should be made. Your supporters would be happy if you could throw upon the other nations the burden of exacting indemnities and at the same time win their support to a league of nations.

TUMULTY.

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, 10 April, 1919.

TUMULTY, Was.h.i.+ngton.

President made good progress to-day by hammering ahead with his own force.

His health is improving; out for a short drive this afternoon; first outing since last Thursday.

GRAYSON.

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, April 10, 1919.

TUMULTY, White House, Was.h.i.+ngton.

Have shown your message to the President. From your side of the water your points are well taken, but he has formed his ideas through immediate contact with actual conditions on this side of the world.... More progress has been made in the last two days than has been made for the last two weeks. Am spending all the time I can in guiding correspondents and showing them every attention. I confer with Grasty every day. The President is working too hard following his recent illness. To know that things are going on and not properly handled, and yet be responsible for them, causes him more worry and anxiety and does more harm than actual partic.i.p.ation. This is a matter that worries me. If his health ca hold out I am still confident he will win handsomely. Am keeping as cheerful a front as possible over here.

GRAYSON.

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, April 12, 1919.

TUMULTY, Was.h.i.+ngton.

So far as it is possible to tell amidst complexity of selfish interests things seem to be slowly clearing. President sends you his love and says keep stiff upper lip.

GRAYSON.

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Was.h.i.+ngton, April 24, 1919.

TUMULTY, White House.

Thank you for your cable about Industrial Board. On the whole I think they have got into a blind alley, but I am glad you are going to obtain Hines'

opinion. _Do not give yourself any concern about secret treaties. You may be sure I will enter into none._

WOODROW WILSON.

_Cablegram_