NegotiatiNg iN the Press Media & Public affairs Robert Mann, Series Editor Media & Public Affairs, a book series published by Louisiana State University Press and the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at the Manship School of Mass Communication, LSU, explores the com- plex relationship between knowledge and power in our democracy. Books in this series examine what citizens and public officials know, where they get their information, and how they use that information to act. For more information, visit www.lsu.edu/mpabookseries. NegotiatiNg Press iN the AmericAn JournAlism And diplomAcy, 1918–1919 r s JosePh r. haydeN Louisiana state university Press Baton rouge Published by Louisiana State University Press Copyright © 2010 by Louisiana State University Press All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America First printing designer: Michelle A. Neustrom TyPefaces: Adobe Garamond Pro, Marcel PrinTer and binder: Thomson-Shore, Inc. library of congress caTaloging-in-PublicaTion daTa Hayden, Joseph, 1964– Negotiating in the press : American journalism and diplomacy, 1918–1919 / Joseph R. Hayden. p. cm. — (Media & public affairs) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8071-3515-0 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Journalism—Political aspects—United States—History—20th century. 2. Government and the press—United States. 3. Press and politics—United States— History—20th century. 4. World War, 1914–1918—Public opinion. 5. United States— Foreign relations—1913–1921. I. Title. II. Series. PN4738.H39 2010 070.4'4932773—dc22 2009020003 The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. �� CoNteNts Acknowledgments vii Introduction: Progressivism, Journalism, and Diplomacy 1 ParT one The War of Words Government Publicity during World War I 1 Federal Power and Publicity 17 2 The New Presidency 34 3 The New Diplomacy 41 ParT Two Professionalizing Journalism The Democratic Control of Public Opinion 4 The Professionalization of Journalism 53 5 Woodrow Wilson and the Press 68 ParT Three Rekindling Professionalism The Atlantic Transition 6 “The Great Adventure” 81 ParT four Confrontation and Stability The Role of the Press at the Paris Peace Conference 7 “The American Newspaper Men . . . Went Bolshevik”: The Controversy over Press Access 115 v vi • conTenT s 8 Routines 128 9 Reaction 140 10 Relationships 148 11 Participation 164 ParT five The Democratic Din of Public Opinion The Treaty Fight 12 Anti-Treaty Opposition 189 13 The Pro-Treaty Campaign 201 14 The Printers’ Strike and Other Distractions 213 15 The Press and the Senate 218 Conclusion: Peacemaking, 1919, and the Role of Journalism 226 Notes 235 Bibliography 283 Index 309 aCkNowledgmeNts two decades ago in a lecture hall packed with students, I heard In- diana University professor George Juergens tell the following story about Woodrow Wilson. It seems the president was vacationing in Bermuda and had just returned from a bicycle trip with his daughter Jessie. The two were tired and sweaty and perhaps not in the most sociable of moods when a flock of reporters descended on them, a few snapping photographs to record the occasion. Wilson testily asked that they stop, saying he didn’t so much mind the pictures of him but believed his daughter was a private figure who did not deserve the intrusion. When one photographer continued any- way, Wilson lost his temper and started for him angrily: “I want to give you the worst thrashing you ever had in your life, and what’s more, I’m perfectly able to do it.” I knew then I had to learn more about this president. The result was a paper, a dissertation, and ultimately this book. Thus my earliest debt is to Dr. Juergens, who showed me the passionate side to Wilson, nourished my professional interest in journalism history, and served as an adviser and dis- sertation committee member. I have known David Nord of Indiana University almost as long and owe him quite as much. His thoughtful seminar on the history of the press is the kind of graduate school experience you dream about, one that encourages both learning and creativity, analysis and play. Professor Nord was also kind enough to take over full-time duty as dissertation chair, and without him this project might not have been completed. Through the years, then, we have vii