Mr Wilson Revealed.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1922, Page 3

Mr Wilson Revealed.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT WHITE HOUSE.

EX-SECRETARY'S TRIBUTE,

In his book entitled “Woodrow Wilton Disclosed,” Mr Joseph P. Tumulty, the ex-President’s former secretary, defends his chief, and tells the intimate story of what happened behind the scenes at the White House during the vital years of American history. In the preface published by the “New York Times,” Mr Tumulty says that, whoever else reads the book he knows that Mr Wilson will not, and he fears his old chief will be displeased with the 1 publication. “I have never consulted him built it, yet J felt compelled to write and publish it, says Mi* Tumulty, “for if Icaii picture him even imperfectly a& I have known him, I must believe that the portrait will correct some strange misapprehensions about him.” There is a prevalent idea, for instance, the preface continues, that Mrl Wilson was uniformly headstrong, impatient of advice, and with a mind hermetically closed to the counsel of others. The book will expose the error of that

opinion. Mr Tumulty promises to show in Mr Wilson’s own words that his mind was “open and to let.” Ho also draws attention to the fact that his hook contains in Fufl the notes and information which he addressed to the President, not because Mr Wilson needed “prodding” into action, hut because! his chief welcomed counsel, and permitted Mr Tumulty to suggest and to criticise. “The mere fact that the President permitted me to continue to write to him in a vain of random' that

was frequently brusque and blunt is a conclusive answer to the charge that lie resented criticism.” Contrary to mis-

representations, Mr Wilson had from time to time many advisers. His public acts were frequently mosaics made up of his own ideas and those of others, and shaped) by the master builder into a pattern. “He was always ahoad of us in his thinking.” Mr Tumulty continues. “He sought counsel, accepted ®r rejected it according to his best judgment, for the- responsibility lor final action was his, and ho boldly prepared to accept that responsibility, but was conscientiously careful not to abuse it by acting rashly.” His habitual character of mind was deliberate,

hut lie could make momentous decisions

quiekly and decisively. “Ho regarded himself as the trustee of the people, who

should not act until he was sure that he was right, and then act with the sur-

etv and finality of fate itself.” In answer to another misapprehension that Mr Wilson lacks human warmth, Mr Tumulty says that ho will have done his work ill if there does not emerge from its pages ‘‘a ln*nanheartod man whose passion was to serve mankind.” Perhaps he was too sincere. and by nature too reserved, to employ the effusiveness of some politicians, Mr Tumulty concludes, hut he is convinced that the reader of his book will feel that lie has met a man f‘whose public career was governed, not merely by a great brain, but also by a; great heart. I did not invent this character,” says his secretary, “T observed him for eleven years.” PRESIDENT AND Ml?. ROOSEVELT. The chapters published in the first instalment of the “New York Times” are devoted to explanations why Mr William F. McCombs, Mr Wilson’s campaign manager, did not! secure a place l in the President’s Cabinet, and why ex-President Roosevelt and General AVood were not permitted to serve in France during the war. Mr McCombs in a series of articles published in New York charged Mr Wilson with the basest ingratitude to the friends who had made his election possible. According to Mr McCombs, Mr Wilson had admitted to him that lie was primarily responsible for the fact that ho became President, but when Mr McCombs requested a place in Air Wil- , son’si Cabinet as a reward, it was refused. Mr Tumulty offers ihe explanation that it was not ingratitude, but fear that Air McCombs would try to < dominate the administration which enusi ed Air AVilsdn to reject his claims. “If - 1 put Air ATcCombs in the' Cabinet,” . Mr Tumulty says ATr Wilson remarked , to him, “I am sure T would find him > interfering with other Departments in - the same way as William Seward, Lini coin’s/ Secretary of State, tried to in--1 terfere with the Treasury Department, v McCombs is a. man of fine intellect, but o j s unsatisfied unless be plays a. stellar I r ole.” Afr Tumulty says that Mr Wili- son told him that Mr ATcCombs had - boldly informed him that he desired the r post of Attorney-General, because ho e was a lawyer, andrtho post would help e pjmj professionally after his term of office expired. “Why, Tumulty,” Mr s Wilson exclaimed “many of the scan--0 dais of previous Administrations have come about in this way, Cabinet officers using posts, to advance their own II personal fortunes. It must not be done ,v in our Administration. „J»t would con- >- stituto a. grave scandal to! appoint such a man to sol high an office.” c THE EAIBASSY IN PARIS, j Air Wilson did subsequently offer Mr „ A 1 cCombs the post of American Ambasit gador to France. Air Tumulty pub ,o lishes correspondence from Mr Mc,f Combs showing that after much dillv,.s dallying the campaign manager rejected •y the offer on the ground that he must remain in New A ork to maintain liim;i- self, and to accept a post abroad would • e )tl ean the loss of all his clients when he at returned. Mr Tumulty recalls that oxer President Roosevelt’s visit to the White et House to discuss with ATr Wilson his st desire to go- overseas was most friendly, t- “They told each other anecdotes, seem_ or ed to enjoy together what the Colonel p- was accustomed to call ‘a bully time.’ ” to Mr AA r ilson explained to the Colonel his u- own ideas on Roosevelt’s proposal, but explained the adverse attitude oft the rt. General Staff toward the volunteer sysm- tern which would have to be recognised 1h if the Colonel was permitted to go; M’s overseas. “Instead of being moved by • is -vny ill-will toward the Colonel,” Afr Tumulty writes, “ATr AVilson’s inclinable tion was to) overrule the recommendaas ion of the General Staff and urge that m- Roosevelt be permitted to go overseas.” ro, After the conference Air Wilson Baid to Air Tumulty: ‘ ‘Roosevelt is a great big ;ia- fioy. I am charmed with his personhis alit’y. There is a sweetness about him ile- that is very compelling. You can’t resist the man.” As the war matured,

says Mn Tumulty, it became apparent to everyone thati it must he a professional war conducted by professionals, with complete authority over their subordinates. “There could be no experimenting with volunteer commanders, no matter bow great their valour, how pure their motives, how eminent their position, and' to make an exception, of Roosevelt would have been to strike at the heart of the whole design. Personally it would have been! pleasant foi Mr Wijson to have permitted to raise and command a: volunteer corps for service in France.” In explaining Mr Wilson’s refusal to side with General Wood in the squabble with General Pershing, who is accused of keeping Wood at home, Mr Tumulty says that he pointed out to Mr Wilson that pubHe opinion sided with Wood, and Mr Wilson would be (blamed by public opinion. “I don’ care a damn for the criticism of the country,” Mr Wilson is reported a.s replying to Mr Tumulty, “I am uninterested in any quarrel between Pershing and Wood. I am only interested in winning the war. I selected Pershing for this task. I will hack him up in every recommendation he makes. T don’t intend to entbarass Pershing by forcing his hand. It would not be fair to him if I tried to escape what appears to be my responsibility. If Pershing does not make good. I’ll recall him.”