El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-10-29
SECRETARY TELLS
STORY OF WILSON

D. seems to me not improper that Just
before the curtain rises on the last
act, ] modestly step out from my OBJ
7 security in the wings and tell the au-
I dience a few things about the lead
ing actor in this great drama Of the
I past eight years
Recalling his 10 years IN the "inu-
I mate relationship Of private secre-
tary," the speaker said
Il may be presumed TO know at
] least as much about him as the gem
] tlemcn who discourse Tolubly Of him
] in Pullman smokers, on the EoH
I links and in the clubs who assure
I had &c on the word or friend or
2 friend who passed through Washing
I ton once and heard a man say that
! another man said. etc"
Among incidents on which he drew
] 10 illustrate his subject. Mr.. Tumulty
recalled the reaction Of the president
Z TO the applause which greeted de-
D livery Of his war message to con-
gress on April 6. 1917.
says Wilson Hates War.
"On that fateful day" secretary
Tumulty said i rode with him from
the capitol 70 the white house, the
echo Of the applause still ringing fin
my ears. For a while he sat silent
and pale In the cabinet room At last
he said Think what it was they
were applauding. II means death for
our young men, How strange IL
seems to applaud that"
That simple remark, secretary
Tumulty continued. sis one key to
an understanding OF woodrow Will
SON." who, he said, hated and dread
ed war with "al OF the dbers OF his
human soul"
As further evidence OF the presi-
dents sense OF responsibility in the
blood shed by American soldiers, 1Ir.
TumultT told Of the day when news
came OF American casualties at Vera I
cruz in 1919.
'the president was quiet all day. He
went about his business methodically, I
with his usual clear judgment and I
prompt decisions, but that night he I
sat silent for long time. At last I
he said. Il cannot get IL off my I
heart. TO had 10 be done. 1t was I
right Nothing else was possible but I
I cannot forget that Il was / who T.
had to order those young men TO their I
deaths"
Earlier that year when word came I
that a German vessel, laden with mu-
uitions, was on its way 70 Mexico I
president Wilson talked over tho tell .
sphone with secretaries Bryan and I
Daniels, and Er. Tumulty said he was I
also on the telephone during the con-
versation- When the situation had 4
-Lha voice came back, clear and firm.
order admiral Mayo TO take Vera
cruz at once
aJust before cut of the eonnee-
tion." secretary Tumulty continued,
I said a word 10 the president about
the tragedy Of Il all. his voice re-
spondsd, no longer clear. but muf-
ned. as when one chokes back a sob:
What do you think OF ll. Lunultgl
It means death. i breaks ny heart,
but It must be done"
Can't Afford to BE Coward.
Secretary Tumuity recalled also
lfr. Wilson's determination TO ride II
the front OF the procession OF the
sailors and naeines killed in Vera
cruz when the bodies were brought
70 New York. DisquietlnE rumors
that an attack was planned on his
life had reached secret service men.
1rr. Tumultv said. land one undertook
show al proper respect By appearing
In the reviewing stand The country
cannot afford 10 lose its president
'-His reply was, The country can
not afford 70 have a coward TOT
president. This was his brief and
final answer. he rode in the process
sion"
The steruness Of woodrow Wilson, |
1fs secretary declared, was Just the
reverse side Of his humane nature.
and made nothing more natural
than that he should have become the
champion Of small nations The
presidents insistence upon Article X
lf the league covenant was eN-
planned as a wish 70 forestal the ne
.essity OF the United states going 70
var BY making e a participant sin q
1lan to prevent the beginning OF sucn
war"
aEIe wished TO stop the next war
before Il should begin" Mr- Iumulty
said
In contrast TO Mr- Wilson's SELF {
1roe1afmed passion FOR peace" sec
-gtarv TumultV declared that when
ne challenge came from Germany 70
srnerioa- when the American mind
vas ready FOX war THIS same ]