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Woodrow Wilson as I Know Him

J >> Joseph P. Tumulty >> Woodrow Wilson as I Know Him




TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Washington,
10 April, 1919.

TUMULTY,
Washington.

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, Washington,
April 10, 1919.

TUMULTY,
White House, Washington.

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
participation. 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, Washington,
April 12, 1919.

TUMULTY,
Washington.

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, Washington,
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_

The White House, Washington,
30 April, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

Beg to call your attention to following editorial from Springfield
_Republican_. _Quote_ The critical period in the peacemaking has been
reached when progress can win over reaction the very least of victories
only by a resolute stand of the most commanding figure in Paris. France
and England cannot desert the President without branding themselves as
hypocrites and ingrates. Worse things could happen than for the President
to come home without a peace treaty, leaving Europe to wallow in the mire
of national rivalries and hates to which reaction would sentence it for
all time. There is no compelling reason why America should sign a treaty
that would merely perpetuate ancient feuds and make new wars a certainty.
Our chief interest in the Conference at Paris, as the President declared
at Manchester, is the peace of the world. Unless that can be made
reasonably sure, with Europe's sincere cooperation, the time is near when
'pack up and come home' will be America's only policy _End Quote_.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
8 May, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

In your cable you spoke of forwarding message to Congress. Have you made
up your mind as to what you will discuss? Would like to suggest certain
things I believe vital.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

Received at White House, Washington,
May 9, 1919.

TUMULTY,
White House, Washington.

Happily there is no mystery or privacy about what I have promised the
Government here. I have promised to propose to the Senate a supplement in
which we shall agree, subject to the approval of the Council of the League
of Nations, to come immediately to the assistance of France in case of
unprovoked attack by Germany, thus merely hastening the action to which we
should be bound by the Government of the League of Nations.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
22 May, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

Great demonstration New York last night, addressed by Hughes, to protest
killings in Poland, Galicia, Roumania and elsewhere. Feeling in this
matter growing more intense throughout the country. Cannot something be
done? It is evident that Germany is doing everything to separate the
Allies. A great many newspapers in this country are worried lest you be
carried away by the pleadings of Germany for a _Quote_ softer peace _End
Quote_. I know you will not be led astray. There is an intense feeling in
the Senate in favour of the publication of the terms of the Treaty. Can
anything be done to straighten this out?

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
23 May, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

Mr. Taft in signed article this morning says: _Quote_ Find it hard to
believe that President Wilson sent sympathetic note to women who plead for
Huns _End Quote_. I think this matter of sufficient importance to be
cleared up from this side. There is great deal of unrest here owing to
talk in newspapers of return of German ships to Great Britain.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Washington,
May 24,1919.

TUMULTY,
Washington.

I think our friends in the Senate ought to be furnished very frankly with
the following reason, which seems to me quite convincing, for not at
present publishing the complete treaty: namely, that if our discussion of
the treaty with the Germans is to be more than a sham and a form it is
necessary to consider at least some of the details of the treaty as
subject to reconsideration and that, therefore, it would be a tactical
blunder to publish the details as first drafted, notwithstanding the fact
that there is no likelihood that they will be departed from in any
substantial way.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Washington,
May 25, 1919.

TUMULTY,
White House, Washington.

No one need have any concern about the return of the German ships in our
possession. Full understanding has been reached about them. As for Mr.
Taft's criticism, I am quite willing to be responsible for any sympathetic
reply I make to appeals on behalf of starving women and children. Please
give following message to Glass: You may take it for granted that I will
sign the Urgent Deficiency Bill and go forward with the plans you mention
in your cable.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
26 May, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

Every Republican member of new Foreign Relations Committee openly opposed
to treaty, a majority in favour of its amendment. Every Democratic member
of Committee, including Thomas, for treaty and against separation. There
is a decided reaction evident against the League, caused, in my opinion,
by dissatisfaction of Irish, Jews, Poles, Italians, and Germans.
Republicans taking full advantage and liable, in order to garner
disaffected vote, to make absolute issue against League, Reaction
intensified by your absence and lack of publicity from your end and
confusion caused by contradictory statements and explanations of _Quote_
so-called compromises _End Quote_. Simonds' article appearing in certain
American newspapers Sunday, admirable, explaining reasons for Saar Valley
and French pact and other controversial matters.

There is a tremendous drive against League, resembling German propaganda,
backed by Irish and Jews. Irish openly opposing; Jews attacking along
collateral lines. Could not Lansing or perhaps White, because he is a
Republican, or yourself inspire publicity or give interview explaining--
officially or unofficially--the following matters:

_First_--America's attitude toward publication of terms of Treaty, along
lines of your last cable to me.

_Second_--That the fourteen points have not been disregarded.

_Third_--The underlying reason for French pact emphasizing the point as
Simonds' says _Quote_ That French pact is merely an
underwriting of the League of Nations during the period
necessary for that organization not merely to get to work, but
to become established and recognized by all nations
_End quote_.

I am not at all disturbed by this reaction--it was inevitable. The
consummation of your work in the signing of the Treaty will clear the air
of all these distempers. Your arrival in America, your address to the
Congress and some speeches to the country will make those who oppose the
League to-day feel ashamed of themselves. The New York _World_ had a very
good editorial favouring the mandatory of Turkey.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Washington,
June 16, 1919.

TUMULTY,
White House, Washington.

If Germans sign the Treaty we hope to get off the first of next week,
about the 24th or 25th. It is my present judgment that it would be a
mistake to take any notice of the Knox amendment. The whole matter will
have to be argued from top to bottom when I get home and everything will
depend upon the reaction of public opinion at that time. I think that our
friends can take care of it in the meantime and believe that one of the
objects of Knox and his associates is to stir me up, which they have not
yet done. I may nevertheless take the opportunity to speak of the League
of Nations in Belgium.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
21 June, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

The fight against the League in Knox resolution faces utter collapse. Root
and Hayes here advising Republican leaders. I learned that Root is
advising Republicans to vote for the League with reservations. He is
advising Republicans to concentrate their forces upon a resolution of
ratification, which would contain specific reservations on the Monroe
Doctrine, immigration, tariff, and other purely American questions. I
believe that this is the course the Republicans will finally adopt. A
confidant of Mr. Taft's yesterday wanted to know from me what your
attitude was in this matter, saying that Mr. Taft might favour this
reservation plan. I told him I had no knowledge on the subject. It is a
thing that you might consider. To me it looks like cowardice.

The American Federation of Labour adopted a resolution favouring the
League of Nations by a vote of twenty-nine thousand seven hundred fifty
against four hundred twenty. Andrew Furuseth led the fight against it. The
resolution supporting the League contained a reservation in favour of home
rule for Ireland.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House, Washington,
June 23, 1919.

TUMULTY,
Washington.

My clear conviction is that the adoption of the Treaty by the Senate with
reservations would put the United States as clearly out of the concert of
nations as a rejection. We ought either to go in or stay out. To stay out
would be fatal to the influence and even to the commercial prospects of
the United States, and to go in would give her the leadership of the
world. Reservations would either mean nothing or postpone the conclusion
of peace, so far as America is concerned, until every other principal
nation concerned in the Treaty had found out by negotiation what the
reservations practically meant and whether they could associate themselves
with the United States on the terms of the reservations or not. Moreover,
changes in the Treaty seem to me to belong to the powers of negotiation
which belong to the President and that I would be at liberty to withdraw
the Treaty if I did not approve of the ratifications. I do not think it
would be wise for me to wait here for the appropriation bills. I hope to
sail on the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth and suggest that you consider
the plan of sending a vessel to meet me.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
June 23, 1919.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Paris.

Your cable concerning reservations in ratification would make fine
statement for the public. The country would stand back of you in this. Can
I use it in this way or can I at least furnish copies to Senator Hitchcock
and Mr. Taft? If you allow me to make public use of it may I change
_Quote_ leadership of the world _End Quote_ to _Quote_ a notable place in
the affairs of the world _End Quote_. This in order to avoid possibility
of hurting feelings of other nations. Now is time to issue statement of
this kind as Lodge has practically withdrawn Knox resolution and opponents
seem to be concentrating on _Quote_ reservations _End Quote_.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

TUMULTY,
White House, Washington.

June 25, 1919.

I am quite willing that you should make public use of my cable to you
about reservations by the Senate in regard to the treaty, with this change
in the sentence to which you call my attention:

_Quote_ And to go in would give her a leading place in the affairs of the
world, _End Quote_ omitting also the last sentence about changes belonging
to power to negotiate treaties.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

June 25, 1919.

Secretary Tumulty to-day gave out a message which he had received from the
President, as follows:

My clear conviction is that the adoption of the Treaty by the Senate with
reservations would put the United States as clearly out of the concert of
nations as a rejection. We ought either to go in or stay out. To stay out
would be fatal to the influence and even to the commercial prospects of
the United States, and to go in would give her a leading place in the
affairs of the world. Reservations would either mean nothing or postpone
the conclusion of peace, so far as America is concerned, until every other
principal nation concerned in the treaty had found out by negotiation what
the reservations practically meant and whether they could associate
themselves with the United States on the terms of the reservations or not.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram from Grasty to New York_ Times

June 29, 1919.

Aboard the _Oklahoma_.

President's sailing from Brest most auspicious. Most beautiful weather and
promise of more of same. President and Mrs. Wilson showed no ill effects
from strenuous activities of past few days and while both formed sincere
attachment for France, they are glad to turn faces homeward. Contrary to
some reports current in America he is in excellent health. While element
of novelty which entered his reception on arrival last December
disappeared, there was deeper feeling manifested toward him last night in
Paris than ever before. Thousands of _Quote_ Vive Wilson _End Quote_ came
from French heart and continuous ovation. Paris showed popular recognition
of leadership of American in securing peace. One very old Frenchman sprang
in front of President's carriage in Champs Élysées and shouted in English:
_Quote_ Mr. Wilson, thank you for peace _End Quote_. That was the keynote
and same sentiment was echoed in thousands of ways. Although owing to
different American viewpoints, Wilson has been frequently antagonistic
during this month, at end relations with other governments' heads most
cordial. Lloyd George came over to Place des États-Unis last night and
told President _Quote_ You've done more to bring English-speaking people
together than ever before done by any man _End Quote_. Clemenceau looked
as if losing his best friend when he said Good Bye in Invalides Station.
Many representatives of smaller nations have expressed to me within past
few days hope that President be able to return to Europe and continue his
work of reconciliation and reconstruction, which they said nobody else in
position to do or able to do so well.

GRASTY.




APPENDIX "B"


_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
16 March, 1919.

PRESIDENT WILSON,
Paris.

Former President Taft asks if he may cable to you direct, for your
consideration only, some suggestions about which he has been thinking a
great deal and which he would like to have you consider. He said that
these suggestions do not look to the change of the structure of the
League, the plan of its action or its real character, but simply to
removing objections in minds of conscientious Americans, who are anxious
for a league of nations, whose fears have been roused by suggested
constructions of the League which its language does not justify and whose
fears could be removed without any considerable change of language.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram--Paris._

Received at White House,
March 18, 1919.

In reply to your number sixteen, appreciate Mr. Taft's offer of
suggestions and would welcome them. The sooner they are sent the better.
You need give yourself no concern about my yielding anything with regard
to the embodiment of the proposed convention in the Treaty.

WOODROW WILSON.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
18 March, 1919.

PRESIDENT WILSON,
Paris.

Following from Wm. H. Taft:

_Quote_ If you bring back the Treaty with the League of Nations in it,
make more specific reservations of the Monroe Doctrine, fix a term for the
duration of the League and the limit of armament, require expressly
unanimity of action in Executive Council and Body of Delegates, and add to
Article XV a provision that where the Executive Council of the Body of
Delegates finds the difference to grow out of an exclusively domestic
policy, it shall recommend no settlement, the ground will be completely
cut from under the opponents of the League in the Senate. Addition to
Article XV will answer objection as to Japanese immigration as well as
tariffs under Article XXI. Reservation of the Monroe Doctrine might be as
follows:

Any American state or states may protect the integrity of American
territory and the independence of the government whose territory it
is, whether a member of the League or not, and may, in the interests
of American peace, object to and prevent the further transfer of
American territory or sovereignty to any European or non-American
power.

Monroe Doctrine reservation alone would probably carry the treaty but
others would make it certain. (signed) Wm. H. Taft _End Quote_.

TUMULTY.

* * * * *

_Cablegram_

The White House, Washington,
21 March, 1919.

PRESIDENT WILSON,
Paris.

The following letter from Hon. Wm. H. Taft. _Quote_ I have thought perhaps
it might help more if I was somewhat more specific than I was in the
memorandum note I sent you yesterday, and I therefore enclose another
memorandum _End Quote_.

_Duration of the Covenant_

Add to the Preamble the following:

_Quote_ From the obligations of which any member of the League may
withdraw after July 1, 1829, by two years' notice in writing, duly
filed with the Secretary General of the League _End Quote_.

_Explanation_

I have no doubt that the construction put upon the agreement would be
what I understand the President has already said it should be, namely
that any nation may withdraw from it upon reasonable notice, which
perhaps would be a year. I think, however, it might strengthen the
Covenant if there was a fixed duration. It would completely remove the
objection that it is perpetual in its operation.

_Duration of Armament Limit_

Add to the first paragraph of Article VIII, the following:

_Quote_ At the end of every five years, such limits of armament for
the several governments shall be reëxamined by the Executive Council,
and agreed upon by them as in the first instance _End Quote_.

_Explanation_

The duration of the obligation to limit armament, which now may only
be changed by consent of the Executive Council, has come in for
criticism. I should think this might thus be avoided, without in any
way injuring the Covenant. Perhaps three years is enough, but I should
think five years would be better.

_Unanimous Action by the Executive Council or Body of Delegates_

Insert in Article IV, after the first paragraph, the following:

_Quote_ Other action taken or recommendations made by the Executive
Council or the Body of Delegates shall be by the unanimous action of
the countries represented by the members or delegates, unless
otherwise specifically stated _End Quote_.

_Explanation_

Great objection is made to the power of the Executive Council by a
majority of the members and the Body of Delegates to do the things
which they are authorized to do in the Covenant. In view of the
specific provision that the Executive Council and the Body of
Delegates may act by a majority of its members as to their procedure,
I feel confident that, except in cases where otherwise provided, both
bodies can only act by unanimous vote of the countries represented. If
that be the right construction, then there can be no objection to have
it specifically stated, and it will remove emphatic objection already
made on this ground. It is a complete safeguard against involving the
United States primarily in small distant wars to which the United
States has no immediate relation, for the reason that the plan for
taking care of such a war, to be recommended or advised by the
Executive Council, must be approved by a representative of the United
States on the Board.

_Monroe Doctrine_

Add to Article X.

(a) _Quote_ A state or states of America, a member or members of the
League, and competent to fulfil this obligation in respect to American
territory or independence, may, in event of the aggression, actual or
threatened, expressly assume the obligation and relieve the European
or non-American members of the League from it until they shall be
advised by such American state or states of the need for their aid
_End Quote_.

(b) _Quote_ Any such American state or states may protect the
integrity of any American territory and the sovereignty of the
government whose territory it is, whether a member of the League or
not, and may, in the interest of American peace, object to and prevent
the further transfer of American territory or sovereignty to any
European or non-American power _End Quote_.

_Explanation_

Objection has been made that under Article X, European governments
would come to America with force and be concerned in matters from
which heretofore the United States has excluded them. This is not
true, because Spain fought Chili, in Seward's time, without objection
from the United States, and so Germany and England instituted a
blockade against Venezuela in Roosevelt's time. This fear could be
removed, however, by the first of the above paragraphs. Paragraph (b)
is the Monroe Doctrine pure and simple. I forwarded this in my first
memorandum. It will be observed that Article X only covers the
integrity and independence of members of the League. There may be some
American countries which are not sufficiently responsible to make it
wise to invite them into the League. This second paragraph covers
them. The expression _Quote_ European or non-American _End Quote_ is
inserted for the purpose of indicating that Great Britain, though it
has American dominion, is not to acquire further territory or
sovereignty.

_Japanese Immigration and Tariffs_

Add to Article XV.

_Quote_ If the difference between the parties shall be found by the
Executive Council or the Body of Delegates to be a question which by
international law is solely within the domestic jurisdiction and
polity of one of the parties, it shall so report and not recommend a
settlement of the dispute _End Quote_.

_Explanation_

Objection is made to Article XV that under its terms the United States
would be found by unanimous recommendation for settlement of a dispute
in respect to any issue foreign or domestic; that it therefore might
be affected seriously, and unjustly, by recommendations forbidding
tariffs on importations. In my judgment, we could only rely on the
public opinion of the world evidenced by the Body of Delegates, not to
interfere with our domestic legislation and action. Nor do I think
that under the League as it is, we covenant to abide by a unanimous
recommendation. But if there is a specific exception made in respect
to matters completely within the domestic jurisdiction and legislation
of a country, the whole criticism is removed. The Republican senators
are trying to stir up anxiety among Republicans lest this is to be a
limitation upon our tariff. The President has already specifically met
the objection as to limitation upon the tariff when the Fourteen
Points were under discussion. Nevertheless in this respect to the
present language of the Covenant, it would help much to meet and
remove objections, and cut the ground under senatorial obstruction.

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