Woodrow Wilson as I Know Him Part 47

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

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

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 a.s.sistance 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 s.h.i.+ps to Great Britain.

TUMULTY.

_Cablegram--Paris._

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

TUMULTY, Was.h.i.+ngton.

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 publis.h.i.+ng 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, May 25, 1919.

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

No one need have any concern about the return of the German s.h.i.+ps 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 Gla.s.s: 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 att.i.tude toward publication of terms of Treaty, along lines of your last cable to me.

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